Have you ever walked through our neighborhood and wondered how it came into being? Or speculated as to how Parkview came to be laid out on the circular plan which is so different from the “private streets” east of DeBaliviere? Or wondered how the streets came to be named Kingsbury, Waterman, Skinker, Nina, McPherson, Pershing, Westminister and so on? Or how the pasky little River Des Peres was brought under control?
Soon you will be able to satisfy your curiosity. A publication answering these and any number of other questions will be on sale at the Annual Art Fair held in the 6100 block of Kingsbury on the afternoon of Mother’s Day, May 13.
After months of digging into old records and quizzing long-time neighborhood residents, three of our gals, Kathy Harleman, Gee Stuart, and Sue Tepas, have put together a detailed story of the neighborhood, beginning with its ownership by Marie Louise Chouteau Papin and coming right up to a new school plan decided in early April, 1973. It is also well illustrated with maps and charts.
It is a little book which everyone interested in the neighborhood will want to own. We really have a fascinating history, one which new-comer and old-times alike will enjoy knowing about. Publication comes at an auspicious time, the 100th anniversary of the subdivision of the Kingsbury Farm. Much of the material about the relationship of the World’s Fair to the development of the area will be new to most of us, though we have always known that there was a connection.
Among the Chapter headings are: The Earliest Owners of the Land; the History of Our Landmarks; Subdividing for Residential Living; The Neighborhood Takes Shape: And Matures. And, of course, an optimistic peek into the future.
Be sure to see the book at the Art Fair. And our thanks to its authors: They have done us a real favor.
Originally published in The Paper, May 1973.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1973_05.pdf, printed page(s) 1.
