The area known as Soulard was once part of the estate of Antoine and Julia Soulard. Antoine came to St. Louis via New Orleans after leaving France because he was a loyalist to King Louis XVI. In St. Louis he prospered by marrying into the wealthy Cerre family, and as a surveyor he received a great deal of property in payment for his services. When part of the estate was to be sold, a problem arose because the property had been granted under old Spanish land grants, and the family had to sue the United States government for clear title. After Antoine died, Julia settled the case in 1836 by paying two thousand dollars to secure clear title to the property. She then began subdividing the land and selling lots, becoming the first female real estate developer west of the Mississippi River, and possibly in America. The first parcel was sold to Bishop Rosatti. Julia also gave two city blocks to the people of St. Louis on the condition that the land would forever be used as a public market. The first market house, built in 1843, was destroyed by the tornado of 1896, and two sheds served as the market until 1928. Architect A. Osburg patterned the south entrance of the new market after the Foundling Hospital in Florence, one of the first masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance designed by Filipo Brunelleschi. Soulard Market became the most recognizable landmark in the Soulard Historic District, drawing people from all over St. Louis for low prices on fresh fruit and produce.
