St. Joseph was founded in 1826 by Joseph Robidoux, who established a fur trading post in the Blacksnake Hills. The mass migrations following the discovery of gold in California in 1848 and Colorado in 1858 transformed the frontier town into a major wagon train staging area and supply depot. In 1859 Robidoux drove the last spike on the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, which made St. Joseph the westernmost railroad terminal. Learn More...