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Newspaper Article from 1821 Reveals city’s history on fireworks display
Florissant Has Long
Tradition For Big
Fireworks Displays
(Special to the Independent News)
Every year the City of Florissant stages one of the metro area’s most spectacular fireworks celebrations for Independence Day. But did you know that Florissant, which was founded in 1786, has actually held 4th of July salutes since before Missouri officially became a state in 1821?
Mayor Thomas P. Schneider of Florissant has in his possession a copy of a newspaper story from an unknown, local publication reporting on an Independence Day celebration in Florissant 36 days before Missouri was admitted to the union as the 24th state in 1821.
A devoted student of history, Mayor Schneider says that the newspaper story reports that the Fourth of July “was celebrated on Monday the 5th instead at the village of Florissant, St. Louis County, by a very respectable company, a plentiful and elegant dinner was provided at which our worthy and long known fellow citizen Col. David Musick, President and Hugh O’Neal Esq. officiated as Vice President.”
“The Declaration of Independence was read by Chas. S. Hempstead Esq.,” continued the article. “The day was spent in the greatest hilarity and with great cordiality.”
Old Town Florissant has several buildings that date back 150 to 200 years, so one can easily picture such a holiday celebration, when Florissant was a farming community but one already with a 35-year history since its founding.
“We take great pride in our nation’s achievements through the centuries,” says Mayor Schneider. “Florissant traditionally treats our residents and guests to one of the finest 4th of July celebrations in our area. Seeing such a fascinating news account of our city hosting an Independence Day celebration weeks before Missouri officially became part of the United States is fascinating.”
This year’s 4th of July festivities at the James J. Eagan Civic Center (Parker Road at Waterford Drive) begin with an outdoor concert performance by the Northwinds Concert Band at 7:30 p.m. Florissant’s fireworks display will commence at 9:15 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the fireworks display will be held July 5 at 9:15 p.m. (see the Old Town page 4 on more details about Florissant July 4th events)
