When people think of St. Louis, Missouri, the Gateway Arch usually steals the spotlight. But just a stone’s throw away lies a hidden gem that carries centuries of stories within its cobblestone streets: Laclede’s Landing. Nestled along the Mississippi River, this historic district offers more than just charming architecture and riverfront views. It’s a place where history pulses through red-brick buildings and, according to some, is whispered in the wind by ghosts of a forgotten past. Paranormal investigators and history buffs alike will find Laclede’s Landing a captivating destination. With a rich legacy dating back to the 18th century and pockets of eerie occurrences that urban legends are made of, this is a must-visit for the curious traveler.
The History
French Beginnings and the Founding of St. Louis
Laclede’s Landing is named after Pierre Laclède, the French fur trader credited with founding St. Louis in 1764. Tasked by the French government with establishing a fur trading post near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, Laclède and his stepson Auguste Chouteau selected the bluff where the current city now stands. Though he initially intended to set up camp elsewhere, it was the elevated ground of what would become Laclede’s Landing that won him over. From this strategic and picturesque location, the trading post thrived, laying the foundation for what would become a major American city.
The Riverfront Boom
During the 19th century, Laclede’s Landing became a bustling hub of commerce. As St. Louis grew into the “Gateway to the West”, steamboats packed the Mississippi River, unloading goods and transporting people across the expanding United States. Laclede’s Landing was the front porch to this explosive growth. Warehouses, factories, and mercantile shops sprang up across the area, giving the district its distinctive cast-iron fronts and cobblestone charm. The riverfront’s strategic importance drew a continuous flow of settlers, entrepreneurs, and—unfortunately—plenty of conflict and crime, laying the groundwork for many of the ghost stories experienced today.
Decline and Renaissance
As railroads took over transportation and industrialization changed how businesses operated, riverfront commerce dwindled. Laclede’s Landing fell into decline, becoming a neglected corner of the city by the mid-20th century. Empty warehouses and abandoned streets replaced the once-bustling thoroughfares. However, in the 1970s and ‘80s, preservationists and urban developers recognized the historical and architectural value of the district. A major revitalization effort followed, turning Laclede’s Landing into a lively entertainment district lined with restaurants, clubs, and boutique shops—all while preserving its 19th-century aesthetic. These restored buildings now serve as both modern venues and silent witnesses to the area’s long and storied past.
The Haunt
Ghosts in the Cobblestones
With every old district comes ghost stories, and Laclede’s Landing is no exception. Paranormal encounters have been recorded by tourists, ghost hunters, and locals who swear they’ve seen the unexplainable flicker through the fog of the Mississippi. The blend of old world charm and eerie quiet after dark makes it a hotspot for spirits, according to local legends.
Flooded Spirits of the Mississippi
Some of the most persistent paranormal reports involve drowned souls. Several devastating floods have plagued the St. Louis riverfront, with lost lives and buried secrets beneath the river’s muddy depths. Visitors have reported hearing splashing in empty streets, ghostly cries, and disembodied voices near the levees—especially on quiet, foggy evenings. Paranormal investigators using EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) have captured chilling whispers, believed to be the cries of those caught in historical river boating accidents or the infamous Great Flood of 1993.
The Spirits of the Warehouses
The old warehouses, now repurposed into restaurants and event spaces, are among the most active paranormal locations on Laclede’s Landing. The buildings retain much of their original structure—including some chilling remnants of their pasts. Employees report hearing footsteps when no one else is around, doors that slam shut with no explanation, and sudden cold spots in otherwise warm rooms. One restaurant owner even claimed to have seen an apparition near the cellar stairwell—a woman in 19th-century attire, vanishing into the shadows. Paranormal teams have used EMF detectors and thermal cameras in these hotspots, regularly finding anomalies that defy conventional explanation.
The Bloody Past of the Old Jail
Not far from the Landing stood an old prison that housed some of the city’s most dangerous criminals back in the 1800s. Though the structure itself is long gone, remnants remain beneath some of the existing buildings. It’s said that the tortured souls of former inmates still haunt the area. Nighttime visitors claim to hear phantom chains dragging across stone floors, anguished moans, and sudden feelings of dread. Several local ghost tours include this area in their route, citing it as one of the most spiritually volatile points in downtown St. Louis.
The Suicide Bridge
While technically just adjacent to Laclede’s Landing, the Eads Bridge—America’s oldest steel bridge—has its share of sad tales. Over the decades, it became notorious as a location where both desperate individuals and victims of crime met grim fates. Paranormal investigators have captured photos with unexplained orbs and ghostly silhouettes along the bridge’s pedestrian path. Some claim to feel pushed by invisible hands or hear cries echoing up from the waters below, believed to belong to the bridge’s unfortunate victims.
Ghost Tours and Paranormal Investigations
If you’re itching to experience the haunted side of Laclede’s Landing yourself, several ghost tours offer in-depth explorations of the area. Many local guides are trained paranormal investigators who bring along equipment like EMF readers, spirit boxes, and infrared cameras. They share not just ghost stories, but historical context that makes each encounter even more chilling. Because so much of the area retains its original architecture, walking tours under the moonlight feel like stepping back in time—a perfect setting for a paranormal adventure.
Conclusion: A Historic Haunt Worth Visiting
Whether you’re a history buff, ghost enthusiast, or brave soul looking for a spine-tingling experience, Laclede’s Landing offers a unique blend of the past and the paranormal. With its beautifully preserved buildings, cobblestone walkways, and a long legacy of riverfront life, it’s one of the few places where Missouri’s history feels truly alive—and maybe, just maybe, where the dead still linger.
So grab your EVP recorder, dust off your EMF meter, and lace up your walking shoes. The ghosts of Laclede’s Landing are waiting for you, hiding just behind every gaslight and whispering through the Mississippi breeze. Come explore the living history… if you dare.