The city of Herculaneum was the county seat of Jefferson County from 1819 to 1839, when it was moved to Hillsboro. The city was laid out by Moses Austin and Samuel Hammond in 1808, when it served as a shipping point on the Mississippi River, and named for the Roman city by that name. Shot towers, designed for the production of shot balls through the freefall of molten lead, were built next to the bluffs, and lead cannonballs from Herculaneum were used durng the War of 1812. Growth of the city decline when the county seat was moved in 1839, and the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway bypassed the city in the early 1850s, but revived somewhat when the St. Joseph Lead Company chose Herculaneum as a lead smelting site, and the Mississippi River & Bonne Terre Railroad extended its track to the city. Herculaneum was incorporated as a city in 1970. The Doe Run Company purchased the smelting operations in 1981, but ceased operations in Herculaneum in 2013, citing prohibitive regulatory costs. Daniel Dunklin, the 5th governor of Missouri, died in Herculaneum, and was buried in the family plot there. Thomas Clement Fletcher, the 18th governor of Missouri, was born in Herculaneum. The city if situated along the west banks of the Mississippi River, and just east of Interstate 55. US Highway 61 passes through the town. Horine is west of Herculaneum.
Recommended Resources
Assumption of the B.V.M. Parish
Founded in 1916, the Roman Catholic parish is located in Herculaneum, Missouri. Mass times and service schedules are published, along with a calendar of special events and programs, a church bulletin, current readings, and contacts.
http://www.assumptionchurchherky.org/
Headquartered in Herculaneum, Missouri, the PK-12th grade public school system operates Pevely Elementary School in Pevely, Senn-Thomas Middle School, and Herculaneum High School, both in Herculaneum, and Taylor Early Childhood Center, with its central offices in Herculaneum. General information about the district, its campuses, programs, and schedules are featured.
http://www.dunklin.k12.mo.us/
The official web site for the city of Herculaneum, Missouri offers a history and profile of the community, demographics, and a guide to municipal services and facilities, schools, churches, civic organizations, and healthcare programs. Administrative and departmental contacts are posted, along with meeting schedules, agendas, and minutes.
http://www.cityofherculaneum.org/
Herculaneum Lead Contamination
A lead smelter was in operation in Herculaneum, Missouri for more than a hundred years, most recently by the Doe Run Company, which ceased operations in 2013. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources presents documentation arguing that the operation is a lead contamination public health risk. Orders, reports, and notices are presented by the Department’s division of environmental quality.
http://dnr.mo.gov/env/herc/
Jefferson County’s largest Ford dealership is located in Herculaneum, Missouri. Its new and used inventory are highlighted, including rental cars and special offers, finance options, and information about its auto service and parts departments.
http://reutherauto.com/
The family owned auto dealership is located off Interstate 55 in Herculaneum, Missouri, offering the sale of new Cadillac vehicles and a selection of used cars, with financing options, service, parts and auto body repair services. General information about the dealership, directions, hours of operation, and contacts are featured.
http://www.sapaughcadillac.com/
Located on Scenic Drive in Herculaneum, Missouri, the dental office offers family-focused dental care, as well as convenient hours including evening hours. A map shows the location of the facility, its hours of operation are stated, and an overview of its services, professional associations, awards, and certifications are documented.
http://www.cosmeticdentistryherculaneum.com/
Situated on Autumn Ridge Drive, in Herculaneum, Missouri, the auto dealership specializes in the sale of new Toyota vehicles, and also carries an inventory of pre-owned cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs, which may be viewed online, along with special offers, information about its finance policies and programs, service and parts departments, and hours of operation.
http://www.twincitytoyota.com/
