visit the historic Louisiana websiteLouisiana, Missouri is located in northeast Missouri, on the Mississippi River just a bit south of Hannibal and 70 miles north of St. Louis.
Louisiana was founded in 1818 by Samuel Caldwell and Joel Shaw, who both purchased land from Walter Bayse. These properties became the original town plat, comprised primarily of Louisiana's riverfront.
By 1846 Louisiana proved to be a profitable shipping point on the
Mississippi River for lumber and tobacco. Residents wishing to show off their new wealth built large beautiful homes. Over 25 of these historic homes still grace Louisiana's streets today. Louisiana boosts 10 buildings and homes listed individually on the National Register of Historic Places as well as two separate historic Districts on the Register. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources says that Louisiana has "the most intact Victorian Streetscape in the state of Missouri."
Notable People
Jack Graney, Major League Baseball player and broadcaster, lived and died in Louisiana, Missouri.
Lloyd C. Stark,
Governor of Missouri 1937-41, born and raised in Louisiana, Missouri.
