The stream's original name - La Rivière aux Vases - is French meaning The muddy or swampy River and referred to quicksand and soggy conditions around the creek, especially crossings.

[2] In 1797 the younger son of Pierre de Lassus, Commandant of New Bourbon received a grant by the Spanish government to establish a sugar mill along the creek.

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.

[4] River aux Vases rises near Jonca in Union Township in the western part of Ste.

Genevieve County, and flows east through Hawn State Park and empties into the Mississippi River about two miles north of St. Mary at an elevation of 361 feet.