Ferguson

History

What is now the city of Ferguson was founded in 1855, when William B. Ferguson deeded of land to the Wabash Railroad in exchange for a new depot and naming rights. The settlement that sprang up around the depot was called Ferguson Station. The station is a focal point of the city's history and is depicted on the city flag, designed in 1994. Ferguson's first schoolhouse was built in 1878. Ferguson was incorporated as a city in 1894. Emerson Electric moved its headquarters to Ferguson during the 20th century. Ferguson made frequent worldwide headlines for months following the 2014 killing of Michael Brown Jr. by a police officer and the ensuing civil unrest. The United States Department of Justice investigation which followed resulted in large legal fees for the town, in excess of $300,000 a year. The investigation determined that the shooting was justified. Ferguson elected its first Black and first female mayor, Ella Jones, on June 2, 2020.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. Ferguson has a borderline humid subtropical-continental climate. Winters are cold, while summers are hot and humid. The record high is 115 °F, and the record low is −19 °F.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  43,280
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  39,639
• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  33,693
• European Starling

  Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  31,951
• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  27,565
• Red-winged Blackbird

  Agelaius phoeniceus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  25,868
• Downy Woodpecker

  Dryobates pubescens (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  25,623
• American Goldfinch

  Spinus tristis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  24,981