Antique seekers browse the wares in a building that once served as Abraham Lincoln’s local presidential campaign headquarters during the election of 1860; a bride and groom share their first dance at the Grand Opera House where vaudevillian Cliff Edwards (the voice of Jiminy Cricket in Walt Disney’s Pinocchio) made his entertainment debut; near the gazebo, a family enjoys a fresh batch of cookies while sitting on a bench in the middle of what was once a sprawling 18th century cemetery.
These are just a few of the hidden historic gems of Main Street.
While many of the hundreds of thousands of Main Street’s annual visitors may be vaguely familiar with the area’s connection to Lewis & Clark’s famous Corps of Discovery expedition or Saint Charles’ half-decade as the first state capital of Missouri, for the most part, guests walk by the dozens of quaint facades unaware of the fascinating stories that lie behind each one.
In 2023, the Greater Saint Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau sought to change that with the debut of “Hit the Bricks: History in Every Step” a series of public walking tours that seek to enlighten both residents and out-of-towners on the fascinating (and sometime unbelievable) stories and figures that helped shape the city’s legacy.
Even the name of the tour itself has an educational component, with “Hit the Bricks” being a cheeky reference to the common misnomer that Main Street is made of cobblestone. The majority of bricks you see making up the busy thoroughfare are the original, locally made ones that date back to 1904.
And that’s just one of the many factoids that are shared by the charismatic team of HisTOURy Guides who lead the hour-long experiences. Visitors can choose between three different routes:
The “MO Than Meets the Eye” tour covers a potpourri of captivating anecdotes about this first state capital of Missouri, from tumultuous events that helped spark the Civil War, to the incredible achievements ordinary citizens put forth towards the war effort during WWII. Also covered is Saint Charles’ unlikely starring role in the world of entertainment (did you know that in the 1990s, the Walt Disney Studios shot almost the entirety of their film Back to Hannibal in the historic district?) It’s not surprising given that the gas lamps and nineteenth century architecture make it feel as though one is walking through an immersive Hollywood movie set.
Meanwhile, the "Historic Highlights" tour is a perfect overview of the vibrant past of Main Street. Travel through 250 years of Saint Charles history as your guide introduces you to the iconic figures and moments that have shaped the legacy of the area. From its humble beginnings as a settlement founded by a French Canadian fur trader, through the city’s role in Lewis and Clark’s legendary Corps of Discovery expedition that changed the course of American history.
During the “Key to the West” tour, visitors will explore the area’s early history, from its settlement by French Canadian fur trapper Louis Blanchette in 1769, to the importance of Saint Charles as a last stop for countless pioneer families making the perilous journey westward (in the 1840’s, one thousand covered wagons traveled down Main Street each week to gather final supplies). Guests will even learn the shocking story of how notorious Vice President Aaron Burr (of Alexander Hamilton fame) had his treasonous plot to steal the Louisiana Territory from the U.S. foiled by a Revolutionary War hero who lived on the 600 block of South Main.
But the “Hit the Bricks” offerings are not your grandparents’ typical dry historical walking tours, but rather, they are designed to make the past come to life for guests of all ages. This is aided by the use of a touch of childhood nostalgia. “Hit the Bricks” tour participants are instantly recognizable as they walk down Main Street thanks to the bright red ViewMasters they carry. Custom photo reels of historic images add a fun element as visitors get to see how much (or how little) the buildings have changed over time. These priceless images also allow a view of some sights that have been lost to history, such as the ornate (but long-gone) stage of the Grand Opera House.
For over two centuries, Main Street has played a silent witness to history. Since its growth from a small pioneer village, it endured a Civil War, observed as the rise and fall of the railroad gave way to the birth of the interstate, survived a post-war flight to the suburbs that decimated Main Streets around the country, and played host to generations of visitors who have strolled along the same path as adventurers, legislators, sinners, and even a literal saint.
Since their inception, the “Hit the Bricks” tours have ensured that guests walk away with a newfound appreciation of this river city, as HisTOURy Guides help visitors connect with the past… one step at a time.