Loading...
Home2023-11-03T18:41:12-05:00

Video Credit:
Jeremy A. Boyer

Video Credit:
Jeremy A. Boyer

Welcome to Potosi

Potosi was founded in 1763 by French soldier, hunter and adventurer Francis Azor, known as The Breton, because of his birthplace in the province of Brittany, France. Legend has it that Azor, while chasing a bear along a creek in the mining country discovered a rich surface outcropping of lead ore at what is now Potosi. The mineral wealth drew other settlers, and a mining camp sprang up along the south side of the creek and up into the mines of the Citadel, and later a village — the mines, creek and village were named for The Breton — Mine Au Breton.

Moses Austin, a Connecticut Yankee who became Missouri’s first industrialist, came to the area in 1797 to view the rich lead deposits, he obtained a Spanish Land Grant and the next year brought his family here. Austin’s experience as a pewter manufacturer and a lead and zinc miner, along with his hard driving character, transformed lead mining and smelting into Missouri’s first industry. He built a store, large home, sawmill, flour mill, blacksmith shop, bridges and roads, a shot tower, etc.

A new town, established in 1814 as the county seat was developed on the north side of the creek. It was named Potosi after a silver mining town in Bolivia. Potosi and Mine Au Breton were separate villages until 1826 when the community incorporated under the single name Potosi.

* excerpted from “The Miner’s Prospect” by George W. Showalter

Welcome to Potosi

Potosi was founded in 1763 by French soldier, hunter and adventurer Francis Azor, known as The Breton, because of his birthplace in the province of Brittany, France. Legend has it that Azor, while chasing a bear along a creek in the mining country discovered a rich surface outcropping of lead ore at what is now Potosi. The mineral wealth drew other settlers, and a mining camp sprang up along the south side of the creek and up into the mines of the Citadel, and later a village — the mines, creek and village were named for The Breton — Mine Au Breton.

Moses Austin, a Connecticut Yankee who became Missouri’s first industrialist, came to the area in 1797 to view the rich lead deposits, he obtained a Spanish Land Grant and the next year brought his family here. Austin’s experience as a pewter manufacturer and a lead and zinc miner, along with his hard driving character, transformed lead mining and smelting into Missouri’s first industry. He built a store, large home, sawmill, flour mill, blacksmith shop, bridges and roads, a shot tower, etc.

A new town, established in 1814 as the county seat was developed on the north side of the creek. It was named Potosi after a silver mining town in Bolivia. Potosi and Mine Au Breton were separate villages until 1826 when the community incorporated under the single name Potosi.

* excerpted from “The Miner’s Prospect” by George W. Showalter

Bulletin Board

WERE HIRING!

THE CITY OF POTOSI IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR TWO [...]

Upcoming City Events

Calendar of Events

S Sun

M Mon

T Tue

W Wed

T Thu

F Fri

S Sat

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

1 event,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

Information

Call

573.438.2767

Hours

Monday – Thursday
7:00am – 4:30pm

Friday
8:00am – 12:00pm

Emergency After Hours – 573.438.1079

Information

Call

573.438.2767

Hours

Monday – Thursday
7:00am – 4:30pm

Friday
8:00am – 12:00pm

Emergency After Hours – 573.438.1079

Potosi is a historical city in Washington County located approximately 72 miles Southwest of St. Louis. As of the 2021 Census, the population was 2526. It is the County Seat of Washington County.

Potosi is a historical city in Washington County located approximately 72 miles Southwest of St. Louis. As of the 2021 Census, the population was 2526. It is the County Seat of Washington County.

Potosi is a historical city in Washington County located approximately 72 miles Southwest of St. Louis. As of the 2021 Census, the population was 2526. It is the County Seat of Washington County.

Go to Top