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1792-93 - Arthur St. Clair suggests that a ferry be built directly across from St. Louis. At the time, the only ferry in existence ran from a point on the river near Cahokia and Carondelet, Ill. Captain James Piggott and his sons explore an area just north of where Cahokia Creek empties into the Mighty Mississippi. Huge sycamores and cottonwoods dominated the area. Lush winter grass covered the ground. The Indians had used this spot for years as a gathering place to trade with the French in St. Louis. This was where Piggott decided to build his mill. Historian Carl Baldwin says that the vision of East St. Louis was born that blustery fall day.Piggott begins construction of a settlement and connects it to his ferryboat operation on the river with a new road. His thriving business would rival the one located farther south at Cahokia. This new all-weather road ran along the east bank of Cahokia Creek and later became the basis for present-day Piggott Avenue. He also improves a five mile long road from Cahokia (over a trail known as Commonfields Road) to the banks of the Mississippi. The road project will last from 1792-97. Two cabins are built to house workers who do not wish to make the long trip back to Cahokia or Grand Ruisseau at the end of the day. Piggott calls this settlement Washington.
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