Historical April–May 2005 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Historic Parkview, one of St. Louis’ premier private neighborhoods, will open ten of its distinctive homes and five private gardens for its Centennial Celebration house tour, on May 14 (9 – 5) & 15 (12 – 5).
This is the first-ever house tour for the Parkview neighborhood, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Parkview is a unique example of a planned, private residential place that has survived intact since its founding in 1905. Designed by urban planner Julius Pitzman, Parkview encom-passes 6 curving streets, 3 landscaped parks and 255 three-story houses.
Most of its homes were built between 1906 and 1914.
The district has signifi-cance in architecture as the buildings reflect eclectic styles that were prevalent in St. Louis at the turn of the century, when electricity was replacing gas lighting and the first garages were being built instead of stables. Starting point of the tour will be the stone mansion at 6200 McPherson Avenue, just inside Parkview’s main gates off Skinker Blvd just north of Washington University. Visitors to this home, which was built by a lumber magnate, will view unique varieties of hardwood millwork and be surrounded by original Tiffanystyle stained glass. Among the ten featured homes are Prairie, Arts and Crafts, Tudor, and Chalet architecture. Fascinating antiques, an orchid conservatory, cloisonné collections, and an ongoing restoration of an early twentieth century Dorris truck are just a few of the curiosities found in tour homes.
Some tour homes remain in, or have been restored to their original elegance, while others showcase contemporary rehabs.
The Parkview Garden Club will offer intimate views of at least five private gardens representative of neighborhood efforts to maintain Parkview as an “Urban Oasis.” Strolling the mature tree-lined streets will provide insight into this charming, vibrant community otherwise hidden from public view.
On Saturday, two neighborhood historic churches, St. Roch Catholic Church and Grace United Methodist Church, also will offer tours of their beautifully restored facilities. Their bell chimes and carillon carols can be heard throughout the neighbor-hood.
During or after the tour, step through Parkview’s stone walls and iron gates into the Delmar Loop for restaurants, unique shops, and entertainment.
The 6200 blocks in Parkview are located in the City of St. Louis, and the remainder are located in University City, making for interesting political and policy realities. Parkview predates the development of the remainder of the Skinker-DeBaliviere Neighborhood, and the Parkview Agents have participated in the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council since its founding in 1966.
The tour is self-guided and each attendee will receive a tour bro-chure containing directions, pic-tures and history of each home. More tour and historical information on pages 4-5.
The tour will benefit the Parkview Trust to maintain and improve the neighborhood’s private infrastructure. Tour tickets are available in advance for $15 or at the door for $20. Personal checks, money orders, or credit cards are accepted for advance ticket purchase; please do not send cash. Door tickets will be available during tour hours at Grace Methodist Church, on Skinker at Waterman Avenue. Access to all tour homes and gardens requires use of steps or staircases and therefore may not be accessible for those with physical challenges. For further information go to http://stlouis. missouri.org/parkview/, or to order advance tickets by mail call 314-721-0416.
Original photograph caption
6200 McPherson.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April–May 2005.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2005_04.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
