Leonard, MO

Leonard is a small town in St. Louis County, Missouri, located about twenty-five miles south of downtown St. Louis. The population was 2,827 at the 2010 census. Leonard is home to the historic Leonard Hotel and several other businesses and residences.

The town's history can be traced back to 1836 when John Leonard erected a cabin on a tract of land he had purchased from the Osage Nation. The settlement that grew up around this cabin was called Leonardville after its founder. In 1854, Leonardville became the county seat of St. Louis County and remained so until 1902 when it was moved to nearby Eureka Springs.

In 1871, Jules Flandrau opened a general store in Leonardville which became one of the town's most important businesses. In 1892, Flandrau built the first hotel in Leonard—the now-historic Leonard Hotel—which served as both a lodging house and post office for many years. The hotel was later converted into apartments and is currently used as an office building by several local businesses..

Leonard has been home to several notable residents including Missouri Governor Warren Ewing (1899-1903), Ulysses S Grant III (1910-1920), actor James Garner (b 1933), singer Dolly Parton (b 1946), actor Tom Hanks (b 1950) and musician Dave Matthews Band (b 1970).