Missouri – In St. Louis, It’s Illegal to Sit on a Curb and Play the Fiddle
Missouri is home to a rich musical history, but if you’re planning to sit on a curb and play the fiddle in St. Louis, you might want to reconsider! Believe it or not, this unusual law makes it illegal to perform street fiddle music while seated on a curb.
The Law Explained
While Missouri is known for its deep roots in folk and bluegrass music, St. Louis has a lesser-known ordinance that prohibits playing the fiddle while sitting on a curb.
📜 The law likely falls under old city regulations meant to prevent disruptions in public spaces. Since fiddles can be loud and energetic, lawmakers may have seen them as a potential nuisance to pedestrians and businesses—especially if played in busy areas.
However, the specific focus on sitting on a curb suggests that the law may have been aimed at preventing loitering or obstructing traffic, rather than outlawing fiddles entirely.
The Origins of the Law
The origins of this law remain somewhat murky, but it’s likely tied to early 20th-century efforts to regulate street performances.
During this time, many U.S. cities cracked down on buskers (street musicians) to maintain public order. St. Louis may have taken a stricter approach—especially regarding the fiddle, which was commonly played in raucous saloons and public gatherings.
Another theory is that this law was introduced due to complaints from shop owners who saw curbside fiddle-playing as a disruptive or unwanted attraction.
Regardless of its origins, the law still stands as a quirky relic of St. Louis’s past.
Is the Law Still in Effect Today?
Yes, this law is still technically enforceable, but rarely—if ever—enforced. Modern street musicians in St. Louis continue to play without much concern, and the law is more of a historical oddity than a real restriction.
That said, if you plan on bringing your fiddle to St. Louis, you might want to find a bench instead of a curb—just to be safe! 🎻
What This Means for You
If you’re visiting St. Louis and hoping to serenade the streets with your fiddle, you probably won’t get in trouble—but you may want to stand up or find a proper performance spot just in case!
This law is yet another example of strange and outdated legal codes that have never been removed, proving that the U.S. legal system is full of unexpected surprises.
