What is the capital of Missouri, a city named for the third U.S. president?

Jefferson City is the capital of Missouri, and it was named for third U.S. president Thomas Jefferson.

Missouri’s legislature selected the site for a permanent capital in 1821, soon after Missouri entered the Union as the 24th state. The location stood near the geographic center of the state along the Missouri River, making it more practical than St. Louis, which had been the territorial capital and remained Missouri’s largest city.

The settlement was first known as Lohman’s Landing before developing into Jefferson City. Its name honors Thomas Jefferson, who authored the Declaration of Independence and served as president from 1801 to 1809. Jefferson City became the official state capital in 1826.

The Missouri State Capitol overlooks the Missouri River and houses the state legislature and executive offices. A common mix-up is choosing St. Louis or Kansas City because they are much larger and more internationally familiar, but neither is Missouri’s capital.