| Finding
the rolling woodlands and mineral springs along
the River des Peres tantalizing, Charles Gratiot,
related to the powerful Chouteau family by
marriage, petitioned the Spanish authorities for
a land grant in 1785. The 5,700-acre tract,
became known as the Gratiot League Square, which
measures about three miles by three miles. The Old Farm House,
originally built by Charles Gratiot in about
1790, is shown here in about 1810 when owned by
his son Henry. It was one of the earliest in the
village and the first built on the "Gratiot
League Square."
Much of the tract
was sold by 1830, including a large parcel to
mountain man and entreprenuer, William Sublette.
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