The Roman Catholic parish "Saints Philip and James" was founded in 1840. From 1896 to 1892, scholar and church historian
Frederick George Holweck served as rector. In 1875 Charles Staab opened a store, and the town built around his store. Mr. Staab was postmaster from 1879 until 1924, whereupon his son took over the job as postmaster. In the past River aux Vases was a breeding center for mules. Mining was also prominent in the area and River aux Vases sandstone was used in the abutments of Eads Bridge in downtown
St. Louis, with decorative onyx and limestone quarried nearby. ==Geography==