Development of the Partnership

The town twinning goes back to an initiative of social workers of the city of Stuttgart, who undertook a fact-finding mission to the USA in 1959. Numerous professional and private contacts were made there. Gradually, a close partnership developed out of this, especially since many people of German origin live in St. Louis who are interested in keeping in touch with their “old homeland.” The beginning of the connection dates back to 1960, when both cities founded partnership committees.

St. Louis Facts & Figures

• Population: 400,000 (City of St. Louis), 2.8 million (County of St. Louis)
• Town twinning since: 1960
• Significance: largest city in Missouri, aerospace industry, automotive industry, electronics, university town
• Attractions: Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (Gateway Arch), Old Courthouse, Union Station, Bush Stadium (St. Louis Cardinals baseball), Fox Theatre, St. Louis Philhamoniker, St. Louis Art Museum, Scott Joplin House (King of Ragtime), Cahokia Mounds, Mississippi and Missouri landscape (vineyards)
• Highlights: Fair St. Louis (July 4th), German Street Festival (August), International Folk Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, St. Louis Blues Music Festival, St. Louis Jazz Music Festival, St. Louis Art Fair

Original German-language text provided by the City of Stuttgart