The marker, which commemorates the early founders and was funded by the Gamache family and the Archdiocese, sits atop a mass grave in which at least twenty-seven early unknown St. Louisans are buried. The earliest settlers were most likely buried near the Old Cathedral and then removed to rest for a time at the old Rock Springs Cemetery before being moved again. At last they came to their final resting place at Calvary, their true identity unknown, and their graves unmarked until now.

For those particularly interested in the Gamache family, Jerry Gamache, a doctor of psychology, has authored another book, Journeys: The Gamaches in the New World, which traces the family's history in France from 1565 to their arrival among the early founders of St. Louis. Included in the book spanning ten generations is Jean-Baptiste Gamache, who came with Laclède in 1764.

The marker is a reflection of those same men and women who were noted in Frederic L. Billon's book, "Annals of St. Louis in its Early Days Under the French & Spanish Dominations," published in 1886. Quoting Billon from that source: "I commence with these Annals with the names of those thirty worthies who, conducted by Laclède, were the pioneers that led the way in opening up to settlement a boundless territory ..."

The following notes and information have been taken from Billon's book. Since much of his book's contents have been replicated in other early St. Louis histories and, since his research included many of the original territorial documents, I find it to be the most helpful in compiling the list. Connie Nisinger, who photographed the new marker, has also entered this information and honored these early founders on Find A Grave, a link which is available at the bottom of the page.

Should you find errors or would like to add information or merely send comments, please feel free to contact me. Thanks! - pdp

Updated 29 Jun 2009
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