In 1767, four years after Spain required all west of the River, Clement DeLore DeTreget, a Frenchman, came across the sea with his wife, children, and followers, traveled up the Mississippi, and chose a site at the foot of what became Elwood Street for a new village. Land was allotted, including a long Common Fields strip, and DeLore called the settlement Louisbourg, though it was often nicknamed Vide Poche. In 1794 he renamed it Carondelet in honor of the Spanish Governor General, and in 1795 it received 6000 acres extending about ten miles along the River. After the United States purchased Louisiana in 1803 from France, which had regained it from Spain three years earlier, American influence increased, and the hamlet grew to about 50 homes with 250 people. LaFayette stopped there in 1825 on his return visit to the country, and in 1826 Carondelet sold the United States 1700 acres for Jefferson Barracks for $5.00. In 1823 it became a town, with a survey defining the town, the Common Fields, the commons, and the towpath along the River. Religious and educational institutions expanded as a stone Catholic church replaced an earlier wooden one in 1835, the convent of St. Joseph and its school for girls began in 1836, and the first Protestant church, Presbyterian, was built in 1850. In 1851, with 1200 people, Carondelet became a city, and industrial growth accelerated with the railroad, large plants, and expanding business and population. As the Civil War approached in 1860, turmoil and bitterness grew, men left for both armies, and Carondelet built Lincoln's gunboats. After the war, industry continued to grow, and in 1870 the city was joined to St. Louis. Later developments included Carondelet School in 1871, the first public school kindergarten system in U.S. beginning at Des Peres School, Carondelet Park, and Carondelet Library. Its people came from many backgrounds, including French, early American, German, Irish, African, Spanish, British, Italian, Polish, and others, and Carondelet remained an age-honored community along the Mississippi.