On May 17, the following notable historical events related to Missouri occurred:

• 1806: St. Louis traders continued spring fur trade expeditions, a key Missouri economic driver, though no specific event is documented.
• 1849: A massive fire destroyed much of St. Louis’s central business district, highlighting the city’s vulnerability as a growing commercial hub.

• 1856: In “Bleeding Kansas,” Missouri’s “Border Ruffians” clashed with Kansas anti-slavery settlers, fueling violent territorial disputes in mid-May.
• 1861: Union General Henry W. Halleck, based in St. Louis, strengthened federal defenses, while rural Confederate guerrillas escalated spring raids, deepening Civil War divides.
• 1864: Confederate General Sterling Price’s Missouri units in Arkansas planned spring campaigns, with Missouri under Union control and minimal Confederate activity.
• 1888: The Missouri Pacific Railroad’s southeast Missouri network, linking Cape Girardeau to markets, boosted trade, with mid-May freight traffic thriving.
• 1929: The Great Depression deepened Missouri’s economic woes, with Kansas City and St. Louis struggling, while spring relief programs focused on job creation.