Founded in 1764. Gateway to the West. Today, despite a continued population decline, downtown and neighborhood revitalization efforts are ongoing in the City of St. Louis. Medicine at Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis University Hospitals, brewing at Anheuser-Busch, and banking at Bank of America and Firstar Bank are leading industries in the City; five Fortune 500 corporations are headquartered in the City limits, and many of the older industrial buildings in the City serve as incubators for small business. Despite the challenges, the City of St. Louis is ready to grow into its fourth century.