Named for Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, Jefferson City is the capital of Missouri. It is also the seat of Cole County. The city is located on the Missouri River near the geographic center of the state. Daniel M. Boone, son of the famous American pioneer, laid out the city in 1822. Places of interest - The governor's mansion in Jefferson City, Missouri, was completed in 1871.
The capitol, completed in 1918, was constructed of Carthage marble in the Italian Renaissance style. It is particularly remarkable for its murals by Missouri-born artist Thomas Hart Benton. The capitol houses a state museum. Across a garden from the capitol lies the Governor's Mansion, which was completed in 1871. Also located nearby are the Supreme Court Building (1906), the State Office Building (1938), the Jefferson Building (1952), and the Truman Building (1983). Lincoln University, opened in 1866 as a school to educate freed slaves, now serves students of varied social and cultural backgrounds. EconomyModern Jefferson City is a trade center for the surrounding farming region. Grain, fruit, and livestock are chief products of the area. Industries include footwear, publishing, printing, bookbinding, electrical appliances, and processed foods. Government activities are the city's principal business occupation, however. HistoryJefferson City was selected in 1821 as the site for the capital of Missouri. At that time, it was a small river settlement known as Lohman's Landing located midway between the larger cities of St. Louis and Kansas City. The legislature first met there in 1826, and in 1839 the site was incorporated as a city. It developed slowly with railroads and river commerce. Population (2000 census), 39,636. |