Founded in 1764 by two fur traders, St. Louis is in fact, not a part of St. Louis County, but borders it. To the west of St. Louis County, you can find the Chesterfield Valley and West County Center shopping malls, as well as the Missouri Botanical Garden’s “Butterfly House.” To the north is the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, the Florissant City and Eagle Springs Golf Courses, and the Pelican Island Natural Area, where you can hear migratory songbirds in the spring. The Ozark Mountains and Ozark Plateau rise in the southern part of the county, home to the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, Grant’s Farm, and Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Smack in the middle of St. Louis County you’ll find “The Delmark Loop” (known by locals as just “The Loop”), a street lined with entertainment, restaurants and cultural attractions. Stroll down the St. Louis Walk of Fame and see the names of famous St. Louisans such as Maya Angelou, Chuck Berry, Cedric the Entertainer and more. St. Louis County is home to more than forty parks, including playgrounds and nature preserves. It also hosts the Museum of Transportation, and several community centers.

One of the nation’s fastest-growing counties, St. Charles County was organized on October 1st, 1812. St. Charles is the wealthiest county in Missouri, hosting a nationally-recognized area of vineyards and wineries. This region, along Missouri Route 94 is sometimes known as the Missouri Weinstrasse. St. Charles is known for its historic architecture, and no where will you get a better look at 19th century structures than at the Historical Daniel Boone Home. In the summer, you can take carriage rides along Main Street or hear outdoor concerts at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater. During the holiday season, join the throngs on one of the themed events hosted on St. Charles Historic Main Street -- Legends & Lanterns, Christmas Traditions, Festival of the Little Hills, and more. St. Charles County is also home to a number of parks, lakes and natural areas.

Organized in 1818, Jefferson County was named in honor of former president Thomas Jefferson. In the northeast part of the county, you can visit the Mastodon State Historic Site, which includes hiking trails, archaeological sites, picnic areas and more. Right in the middle of the county is Jefferson College, a community college providing customized business and industry training, education courses, technical career programs and more. See a horse show at Big River Saddle Club, stroll through the historic Thomas C. Fletcher house, take a class at the High Ridge Civic Center, or go for a boat ride at Jefferson County Winter Park. Children will love the three playground areas at Minnie Ha Ha Park and adults can enjoy the “haunted” Morse Mill Hotel. Jefferson County is predominantly suburban area.

Monroe County is located in the southern part of Illinois known locally as “Little Egypt.” The western part of the county is considered part of the American Bottom floodplain, while the east is flat, and originally prairie land. Between the two is a “transition zone” with high bluffs, sinkholes, caves and springs. The city of Colombia to the north hosts summer concerts in the park, a Christmas Parade and “FestiFall” every September. Twenty minutes to the south is the city of Waterloo, which celebrates Mayfest, the Monroe County Fair, car shows and many other annual events. Monroe County has two nature preserves, the Illinois Caverns State Natural Area, and two historic districts. It borders the Mississippi River and the northernmost part of the county is about 30 minutes from St. Louis.

St. Clair County is the oldest county in Illinois and was founded in 1790. It’s western border follows the Mississippi River and St. Louis, MO. Suburbs in St. Clair County are typically separated by agriculture or empty land. The county is most populous in northwestern part, with abundant suburban housing being developed in Belleville and its satellite cities. Belleville is located next to Scott Air Force Base and is home to many of its members. Belleville attractions include the Belleville Philharmonic Society, the second oldest philharmonic orchestra in the country, annual events such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Oktoberfest, Tour de Belleville and Art on the Square. The St. Louis Downtown airport is located in the southwestern part of the county.

Occupied by succeeding cultures indigenous peoples, this area was populated by the historic Osage tribe at the time of European encounter. The region was first settled by Europeans during the rule of the Spanish Empire. The Spanish log fort San Juan del Misuri (1796–1803) was built in present-day Washington. After the American Revolutionary War, migrants from the new United States started moving West. Among them were the family and followers of Daniel Boone, an explorer from Kentucky who settled the area starting in 1799. For the next two decades, most settlers came from the Upper South, especially Kentucky and Virginia, bringing their slaves with them to work the land.

In 1833 substantial numbers of German immigrant families began settling in the area, and soon they outnumbered the slave owners in the county. The German newcomers were opposed to slavery, and their sons would become Union supporters during the U.S. Civil War. Former governor and then Confederate General Sterling Price led his cavalry though the county during his Missouri raid of 1864.

Before the war Franklin County had served by steamboats that moved freight and passenger traffic on the Missouri River. Afterwards, it became a railroad transportation center. Manufacturing industries were established at the end of the Civil War and successive ones have continued.

Bias Vineyard, near the small city of Berger, is located within the Hermann American Vinticultural Area (AVA), designated in 1983. Röbller Vineyard and Winery near New haven is also in the Hermann AVA. Wineries along both sides of the Missouri River are part of the Missouri Rhineland, whose vineyards were started by German immigrants in the mid-19th century. Before Prohibition, Missouri was the second-largest wine-producing state in the nation. Everything was closed down except for limited production of wine allowed for religious purposes. The state's wine industry had to be completely rebuilt, which has been taking place since the 1960s.

Madison County was established on September 14, 1812. It was formed from parts of Randolf and St. Clair counties and named for President James Madison. At the time of its formation, Madison County included all of the modern State of Illinois north of St. Louis, as well as all of Wisconsin, part of Minnesota, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

In the late 19th century, Madison County became an industrial region, and in the 20th century was known first for Graniteware, and later for its steel mills, oil refineries, and other heavy industries. The county had a large working population, and the county and surrounding area was a center of strength for the Democratic Party.

Jersey County lies just northeast of where the great Mississippi and Illinois rivers meet. It is the former home of the Kickapoo, Menomini, Potawatomi, and Illiniwek Confederation American Indians. The first European explorers to visit the area, Father Marquette and Louis Jolliet, arrived in 1673, where they encountered the fearsome painting of the Piasa bird. The present day Pere Marquette State Park, located near Grafton, is named in Father Marquette's honor, and a monument to him is located at the park.

Jersey County was founded on February 28, 1839, and was formed out of Greene County. The county was named for the state of New Jersey, from which many of the early settlers emigrated - which was itself named for the Channel Island of Jersey in Great Britain. The area quickly evolved into several small agricultural communities. As the area soon began to flourish, a county government was established and a courthouse was built in Jerseyville, the county seat. The cornerstone for the courthouse was laid on July 4, 1893. The Romanesque Revival style courthouse is a magnificent architectural structure of limestone quarried from the nearby town of Grafton, Illinois.