ST. LOUIS - On this day, Aug. 22, 1876, voters headed to the polls and set the stage for a locally historic event known as "The Great Divorce," splitting St. Louis City from St. Louis County.

Friday marks 149 years since St. Louis City and St. Louis County voters cast ballots on a measure to separate St. Louis City as an independent city from St. Louis County.

As described in Joe Sonderman’s 2024 book, “This Day in St. Louis History,” the measure initially appeared to fail. However, over the following weeks and months, allegations of fraud emerged, prompting a recount.

The recount took nearly four months, and because of that, it wasn't until late 1876 that the vote for separation was officially certified.

According to a St. Louis Historic Preservation website, the Missouri Charter of 1

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