Exploration

The history of Fredericktown revolves around the history of lead mining. The earliest beginnings of Fredericktown occurred around 1715 when local Indians guided French explorers to the area, which at that time was part of Upper Louisiana, in order to show them sources of lead which the French had hoped would also contain silver.

The French governor of Louisiana, Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac, failed to find silver, but succeeded in recruiting other French investors in the Company of the West, organized in 1717, to exploit the mineral resources of Louisiana.^[7]

Early settlement

The earliest European settlement in the area near what is now Fredericktown was Mine La Motte, a small community about 6 miles (10 km) to the north. Mine La Motte was first settled by Europeans to mine a large vein of galena (lead ore) distributed in dolomite that reached the surface there. The need for a local source of lead for ammunition made Mine La Motte one of the earliest European settlements in the interior of the North American continent. Another earlier settlement was the French Catholic community of Saint Michel, which is located just north of the current Fredericktown site on the other side of Saline Creek.

After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the Americanization of the area began in earnest with an influx of second and third generation German Reformed Church settlers from Bollinger County, the next county eastward. Other American settlers were drawn to the area as well, including Moses Austin, founder of the American settlement in Texas, who mined for lead between 1800 and 1820 before going on to Texas.^[7] In 1818, the area was organized to form Madison County. The name was chosen to honor James Madison, who had been the two-term president of the United States up until two years earlier (from 1809 to 1817), and who had handled the Louisiana Purchase as Secretary of State for Thomas Jefferson.^[8] At the time that Madison County was organized, the land south of Saline Creek was owned by Col. Nathaniel Cook. A new town was laid out on Col. Cook's higher, less flood-prone land, and named "Fredericktown" in honor of Col. Cook's close friend from Bollinger County, Col. George Frederick Bollinger.^[9]

2021 Tornado

On October 24, 2021, the city was impacted by a destructive EF3 tornado.^[10]

Historic sites

The Fredericktown Courthouse Square Historic District, Fredericktown Missouri Pacific Railroad Depot, Fredericktown United States Post Office, Madison County Courthouse, and St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad Depot are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.^[11]

Climate

2010 census

As of the census^[16] of 2010, there were 3,985 people, 1,669 households, and 995 families residing in the city. The population density was 920.3 inhabitants per square mile (355.3/km²). There were 1,902 housing units at an average density of 439.3 per square mile (169.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.41% White, 0.28% Black or African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.05% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 1.20% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.83% of the population.

There were 1,669 households, of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.4% were non-families. 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.97.

The median age in the city was 38.6 years. 24.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 to 44; 23% were from 45 to 64; and 19.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.3% male and 53.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census^[4] of 2000, there were 3,928 people, 1,625 households, and 1,010 families residing in the city. The population density was 919.9 inhabitants per square mile (355.2/km²). There were 1,817 housing units at an average density of 425.5 per square mile (164.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.76% White, 0.20% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.41% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.69% of the population.

There were 1,625 households, out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the city the population was spread out, with 23.2% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 24.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 78.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,354, and the median income for a family was $27,149. Males had a median income of $27,593 versus $16,729 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,512. About 17.4% of families and 22.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.4% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over.