Old Jamestown
“Old Jamestown” first became a CDP (Census Designated Place) in 2010. This means that for data gathering Old Jamestown is treated much like a municipality instead of just being part of unincorporated St. Louis County. The population was 19, 184 at the 2010 census. The boundaries are: Missouri River on the north Cold Water Creek on the south, Highway 367 on the east and New Halls Ferry Road on the west. For more information, visit www.oldjamestownassn.org
The Old Jamestown Area is bounded by natural streams on the north and south. The Missouri River was the route of the Lewis and Clark expedition and Coldwater Creek was a clear, free flowing stream used by the early American Indians. The roads bounding the east and west begin in the City of St. Louis and extend from the Halls Ferry Circle to the Missouri River. They were used by early settlers to transport farm produce and merchandise to and from St. Louis.
The Old Jamestown Association researches and shares with residents, students, and others the area’s history, unique geological features, events, landmarks, and population; and facilitates communications between residents and the St. Louis County government and neighboring communities.
The 200th anniversary of the naming of Jamestown. The wonderfully descriptive ad below was written by Phineas James on June 14, 1819, and printed on June 16 on the first page of the Missouri Gazette, the St. Louis area’s first newspaper.
At the time, Phineas was married to a granddaughter of fellow OJA resident Eusebius Hubbard who had grown up in Virginia near the site of the original Jamestown — no proof that this influenced Phineas’ naming of his development, but…..
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Notice: The subscriber informs the public that he has just completed laying off James’ Town, and will offer the LOTS at public sale to the highest bidder on the fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth day of July next. The terms of said sale will be made known on the date of sale, at which a correct plat of the town can be seen.
JAMES’ TOWN
Is situated on a beautiful bluff, on the southern bank of the Missouri River, six miles above its confluence with the Mississippi. Being situated on a bluff, it has the advantage of a firm rock shore, along which there are a number of the safest harbors for boats that I presume any other town on these waters can boast of; also, several seats for mills that so large a water course can form. Near the public square, there is a cave through which passes a large body of cold, sweet lucid water which I think could, without much expense, be raised and conveyed to every part of the town. The earth after removing the virgin soil is admirably calculated for brick, and the rock along the river, which can be easily procured, is of the best quality, either for building or manufacturing into lime; sand for making brick and mortar can be procured without much trouble or expense. Behind this desirable situation lays the rich and flourishing country of Florissant or St. Ferdinand and in front (beyond that majestic river that sweep[s] along its base) is to be seen that fertile bottom that intercepts the communication of those two splendid rivers (Mississippi and Missouri) which not only offers to the fancy a rich harvest of charms, but also to the town an abundant harvest of advantages. The situation of this town is so lofty and noble as never to offend by noxious fumes of putrid sickly air; and the eye has always presented to it, a beautiful and grand variety. In [conclusion], to give a more powerful and impressive idea of the value of the place, is but to observe that there are now about three hundred lots laid off, of which better than one sixth of that number are already disposed of, and most of the purchasers have promised to build on them immediately, which I consider as one strong, convincing proof of Jamestown having merit as an advantageous and desirable situation.
Phinehas James
June 14 – 4t – 39