The area that is now Woodson Terrace was originally inhabited by Indians. Evidence of an Indian campsite was found in Woodson Terrace in April 1953 by an amateur archeologist living in the area.The campsite is believed to have been associated with a village that was discovered a mile north, when the airport was being expanded in 1951. The village dates back at least 500 years.

Natural Bridge Road, which makes up the northern boundary of Woodson Terrace, dates back to the late 1700's.At that time, people used it as an east west route from St. Louis to St. Charles. Woodson Road started out as an Indian footpath, and then became a cowpath for local farms in the area in the early 1800's. The road is reported to be named after the Richard Woodson family,who were farmers in the area. The road was later paved and connects Woodson Road with St Charles Rock Road.

Around the turn of the century, St. Charles Rock Road, formerly called St. Charles Plank Road, was used as the primary route between St. Louis and St. Charles. Throughout this period the area was full of activity.

Along the northeast border of Woodson Terrace, The Marvin Park Methodist Church owned campgrounds where they held their revivals and held summer camp for children from the city of St. Louis. As people began to frequent the area, they also began to settle there. The Marvin Park subdivision stands on the site of the old Marvin Park campgrounds.

Approximately 85% of the land west of present day Woodson Road was a cattle farm owned by the Herklotz family. The home that stands in the J. L. Brown city park belonged to the Herklotz family. The Meyer family owned a large farm on the opposite side of what is now Woodson Road. These farms were bought up by developers who built homes and businesses in the community after World War II.

Recent History

The actual city of Woodson Terrace dates back to 1946, when the citizens petitioned the County Court to form a village-type government . Most of the surrounding area was farmland. At that time Woodson Road had not yet been constructed. The petition was filed on July 30, 1946 and on August 28, 1946, in the court of Judge Luman Matthews. The petition was granted and the area became the Village of Woodson Terrace with a court appointed board of Trustees consisting of: Max Grothman, John A. McKinney, Sigmund F. Fleishmann, Aurthur Feishmann, Aurthur F. Niblack, and Andrew E. Rahm.

At the first board meeting, Sigmund Fleishmann was elected chairman and Ray Edelmann was appointed as the city clerk. On September 13, 1946, the first ordinance naming the Village Woodson Terrace was passed. In April of 1947, at the first village election, five Trustees were elected to serve one year terms and John A McKinney was also elected the first marshall. Meetings were held at various trustee homes until September 8, 1953, a building was leased at 9351 Stansberry to serve as the Village Hall.

With an increasing population and numerous annexations, a study was conducted which concluded that a change from village to city of the fourth class would be beneficial for government improvement. A fourth class city has a broader general grant of power from the legislature than a village and has broader licensing and taxing powers. A special election was held for this purpose on March 2, 1954. Having attained the classification of a fourth class city, the new governmental structure consists of a mayor and board of aldermen.

On April 6, 1954, the first city election was held. The official seal of the city was adopted on May 11, 1954. The city purchased the land at 9351 Guthrie Avenue in December, 1956 and the present city hall was dedicated on January 19, 1958. The building now houses city hall, council chambers and the municipal court.