Herculaneum, located in Jefferson County, Missouri, boasts a population of 3,468 as per the 2010 census and is steeped in historical significance. It was integral to the early development of Jefferson County, notably as the county’s initial seat from January 1, 1819, until 1839.

The city’s origins date back to 1798 when Moses Austin, a Connecticut native, received a Spanish land grant covering roughly 3 square miles, chosen for its rich mineral resources. Despite initial conflicts with the Osage tribe, Austin, along with workers from Virginia, started mining and smelting lead in the region. In 1808, Austin, together with Samuel Hammond, established the town of Herculaneum at the confluence of Joachim Creek. They named it Herculaneum due to the resemblance of the eroded limestone in the area to the seating arrangement of the ancient Roman city of Herculaneum, which was destroyed by Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D.

Herculaneum was home to Jefferson County’s first post office, set up soon after the town’s establishment, and served as the county seat until 1839. The town flourished, featuring amenities like three stores, a post office, a jail, a courthouse, and a school. By 1813, it had three shot towers on its bluffs for manufacturing shot balls.

The relocation of the county seat to Hillsboro in 1839 and the bypassing of the town by the St. Louis, Iron Mountain, and Southern Railway in the 1850s posed challenges for Herculaneum. However, a resurgence occurred in 1887 when the St. Joseph Lead Company chose it for a lead smelting operation, and the Mississippi River & Bonne Terre Railroad extended its line to the town. Present-day Herculaneum continues to honor its rich historical roots while adapting to its modern role in Jefferson County.