SFA Reunion 2019, St Charles, Missouri
Wednesday, Sept. 18-Sunday, Sept 22
Best Western Plus "The Charles Hotel"
1425 South Fifth Street
St Charles, MO 63301

St. Charles, Missouri was founded in 1769 as Les Petites Cotes ("The Little Hills") by French Canadian fur trader Louis Blanchette. The Spanish government controlled the Mississippi Valley between 1762-1800, and for a dozen years "The Little Hills" became "San Carlos Borromeo." Lewis and Clark met here on the banks of the Missouri River to begin their westward expedition in 1804. Shortly thereafter, the city became known as "Saint Charles."

 

Meanwhile, Daniel Boone and his family built a homestead in nearby Defiance. His Booneslick Road later became the eastern starting-point of the Santa Fe Trail and the Oregon Trail. Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable, the "Black Frenchman" who founded Chicago, lived the last 10 years of his life in the Frenchtown neighborhood of St. Charles and died here in 1818.

 

Also in 1818, Saint Philippine Duchesne established the Academy of the Sacred Heart, the first free girls' school west of the Mississippi. Missouri's First State Capitol was here on Main Street from 1821-1826 while the new capital city of Jefferson City was being built. Lindenwood College, a landmark private fine arts school, was founded in 1827.

 

Throughout the 19th Century, German settlers developed a wine region that became the country's first federally recognized American Viticultural Area in 1980. During the 20th Century, residents worked to preserve homes, stores, and streets from every period and to make St Charles a family vacation destination. So join us and experience the charm and beauty of a city that has been welcoming visitors since 1769.

 

About our hotel - The Charles Hotel is located on Interstate 70, just 5 miles west of St. Louis Lambert International Airport. To make a reservation please call the hotel directly at 636.946.6936 or toll-free at 888.274.0988. Our group rate is $105 for a double queen room. Be sure to mention the Sheldon Family Association and make your reservations before AUGUST 18, to get the group rate!

 

Breakfast is included, along with pillow top beds, 32' TVs, high-speed internet, refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee/tea makers in every room. There is also an indoor pool and fitness room, and an electric charger for your car!  Within easy walking distance of the hotel is a Bass Pro Shop, Texas Roadhouse, Denny's, Walgreens, and Dunkin Donuts.

For more info about the hotel please visit www.bestwesternSTL.com .

 

We will have time to explore historic Main Street in St Charles. It is a great place to shop, have lunch or dinner or just window shop along the 200-year-old street. There is a free trolley system connecting our hotel and Main Street. For a sneak peek, check out www.discoverstcharles.com 

 

For those of you considering coming early or staying longer in the St Louis area, I would highly recommend visiting the towns of Hermann and Augusta. The towns are so quaint and the German food and wines are amazing! For history buffs, don't miss the Daniel Boone home near Defiance, just 40 minutes from our hotel. Or, head east to see where the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers meet at Confluence Point State Park, then cross into Illinois and visit Alton for a ghost tour, and dinner at Pere Marquette State Park for the best fried chicken in the area.

Looking forward to seeing you in St. Charles in September!

Libby Wilson - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.