Frenchtown Historic District

Frenchtown Historic District is a neighborhood with more than 200 buildings and structures spread along the Missouri River, showing various architectural styles from its founding era through the 1900s. These buildings form a connected urban area that visitors can explore on foot.

The district began as a French settlement in the 1830s and evolved through immigration and economic growth over the following decades. Construction continued for more than a century, reflecting architectural tastes of different periods.

The area reflects French settler heritage through its architectural style and street layout, which remain visible in the everyday appearance of the neighborhood. Walking through the streets shows how the original community organized and built their spaces.

The district is best explored on foot since the buildings are close together along the riverfront. The warmer months are ideal for walking through and observing the architecture.

A former factory for railroad cars still stands in the area, showing the district's role as an industrial center in the 1800s. This building reveals that the neighborhood was more than just residential space during that era.