THE BIRTH OF EAST ST. LOUIS

In 1770, when St. Louis, Missouri, was but six years old, a few crudely constructed log cabins appeared across the river on the Illinois side. The fast growing village of St. Louis could see no competitive danger in land covered with nothing but trees; but this was the founding of a town that was in later years to surpass its larger sister in many industries, especially transportation. These cabins were the living quarters of a few laborers who were building a grist mill under the supervision of one Richard "English" McCarty, a Canadian who had come to this part of the country as a trader in or around 1715. This little settlement was named St. Ursule by McCarty in honor of his wife, Ursele McCarty. Five years later he obtained a title to 400 acres of land on both sides of Cahokia Creek, which is today a part of the present site of East St. Louis. In this tract of land, on the bank of Cahokia Creek, he erected, with the help of a few hired hands, the grist mill, which for a time did a flourishing business. The banks of the creek washed away so easily a permanent dam could not be built, so after operating the mill nearly six years, he decided to give it up and return to Cahokia. He was well known in Cahokia, as he went there daily during the time he operated the mill, and in less than two years after his return, he was commissioned a captain in Colonel George Rogers Clark's army and put in command of Fort Bowman. He served in Clark's army until 1787, when he returned to his family in Montreal, Canada.

When McCarty left St. Ursule, his helpers did not leave with him. Instead, they remained for some time, trying to live in the little settlement, frequently visiting Cahokia and their former employer who had previously moved there. Finally, the whole settlement moved back to Cahokia for better protection against the Indians.

In 1781, Capt. James Piggot, Shadrach Bond, James Moore and a few other men later famous, and their families, immigrated from Maryland and settled in what is now known as Monroe County. All but one were soldiers in Clark's campaign. Upon their arrival they immediately started the settlement of New Design. But Capt. Piggot did not remain to help them. Instead he moved to Cahokia where he entered politics.

In 1790, Capt. Piggot and Baptiste Saucier were elected justices of the peace in St. Clair County, and Piggot remained in this position until his term expired in 1795. In this year he located a malitia claim of 100 acres of land on the east side of the river opposite the city of St. Louis. At this time the Illinois side was heavily covered with trees which shadowed the many Indians then lurking in that area. Capt. Piggot undoubtedly had his plan of a ferry boat in mind, for he immediately started the erection of a bridge across Cahokia Creek for his effected trade. After working alone for nearly three years, he finally completed the bridge, and also the reconditioning of the Illinois road, his later as part of the National Trail. During this time he also erected two small cabins on the banks of the river. His next move was to obtain permission from the Spanish Commandant of St. Louis to operate a ferry across the Mississippi River. He obtained this permission, and located his west side dock at the foot of Market Street in St. Louis. He then constructed his boat, a simple platform surrounded by a railing and floated on Indian pirogues, which were made by hollowing with fire and knife the largest trees obtainable, which was laboriously poled across the stream. Piggot operated his ferry until his death on Feb 20, 1799.