Jefferson County
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KIMMSWICKProbably the first white settler in the Kimmswick locale was Thomas Jones, who manufactured salt in 1770. It is very probable that Jones started the first industry with his salt-making in Jefferson County. Jones' settlement was known as Crystal Springs, later changed to Montesano Springs. It became a favorite resort on the Mississippi River, accessible by either the Iron Mountain Railroad, which ran along the river in front of the site, or by an excursion steamer which during the summer months made several trips a day between the foot of Olive Street in St. Louis and Montesano Springs. This same settlement was later called Kimmswick after its founder, Theodore Kimm. He built a number of houses and sold them on trust deeds. The first building was occupied by Fred Luechtemyer, who opened the first store soon after the town was established. A post office had previously been built and maintained by Mr. Kimm. A flouring mill was built by Henry Nagle, and the Dozier Iron and Bloom Forge was established at Kimmswick about the year 1873. The ore smelted in this forge was shipped from Pilot Knob and Iron Mountain. Brewery and floral establishments also existed in Kimmswick's early days. from Historic Sites of Jefferson County, Missouri (Eschbach, Walter L.) Contact JOIN-N | JeffersonCountyOnline.org |