St. Charles, Missouri, the seat of St. Charles County. It is on the Missouri River, about 20 miles (32 km) northwest of downtown St. Louis. St. Charles is a local trade center and manufactures numerous agricultural and industrial products. Missouri's first capitol and Lindenwood College are here. The city has the mayor-council form of government.
Founded in 1769, St. Charles is one of the oldest settlements west of the Mississippi River. It was Missouri's capital, 1821–26. The city suffered extensive damage in 1993 when the lower Missouri River flooded.
Population: 60,321.
