About 6 miles north of Fredericktown, the site of what a state historical marker calls the first lead mine in Missouri. French colonists led by Philip François Renault began mining here around 1720, making it one of the oldest European settlements west of the Mississippi. It was named for Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, governor of French Louisiana, who had hoped the ground held silver. Mining went on, off and on, for more than two centuries, including lead, nickel, and cobalt. Today it is a small unincorporated community.
- Where
- Mine La Motte, MO
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