Fenton, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fenton
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Main Street in Fenton (February 2018)
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Location of Fenton, Missouri
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| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| County | St. Louis |
| Founded | 1818 |
| Incorporated | 1948 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.50 sq mi (16.83 km2) |
| • Land | 6.19 sq mi (16.04 km2) |
| • Water | 0.31 sq mi (0.79 km2) |
| Elevation | 440 ft (134 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 4,022 |
| • Estimate
(2019)
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4,026 |
| • Density | 649.98/sq mi (250.96/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Zip code |
63026
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| Area code(s) | 636 |
| FIPS code | 29-23950 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0756044 |
| Website | fentonmo.org |
Fenton is a city in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States, and a suburb of St. Louis. The population was 4,022 at the 2010 census.
Contents
History
Due to its proximity to fertile land and the Meramec River, the Fenton area has been inhabited for over 900 years. The earliest proof of ancient dwellers was excavated from the "Fenton Mounds", two conical, earthen burial mounds located near the southwestern border of Fenton. Diagnostic pottery shards from the mounds indicate they date from the Mississippian times, A.D. 1050 - 1400. In 2001, the mounds were leveled for construction of a Wal-Mart Supercenter.
The Fenton territory was occupied by Native Americans and early settlers in the 1770s. William Lindsay Long founded the city of Fenton on March 23, 1818. The original eight square block area is now referred to as "Old Towne Fenton". The city remained unincorporated for the next 130 years. Garrett Hitzert was the city's first mayor after the city incorporated in 1948, his leadership helped build the foundation that much of the city's ongoing prosperity has been based on. He conceived of Fenton's expansive commercial business district that is a centerpiece of the city's fiscal success.
Geography
Fenton is located at 38°31′41″N 90°26′39″W / 38.52806°N 90.44417°W (38.527953, -90.444195).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.38 square miles (16.52 km2), of which, 6.05 square miles (15.67 km2) is land and 0.33 square miles (0.85 km2) is water.
The topography of the Fenton area is predominantly rolling hills.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 160 | — | |
| 1910 | 172 | 7.5% | |
| 1920 | 146 | −15.1% | |
| 1930 | 237 | 62.3% | |
| 1940 | 171 | −27.8% | |
| 1950 | 207 | 21.1% | |
| 1960 | 1,059 | 411.6% | |
| 1970 | 2,275 | 114.8% | |
| 1980 | 2,417 | 6.2% | |
| 1990 | 3,346 | 38.4% | |
| 2000 | 4,360 | 30.3% | |
| 2010 | 4,022 | −7.8% | |
| 2019 (est.) | 4,026 | 0.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2011 estimate |
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2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 4,022 people, 1,549 households, and 1,176 families living in the city. The population density was 664.8 inhabitants per square mile (256.7/km2). There were 1,611 housing units at an average density of 266.3 per square mile (102.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.5% White, 0.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.1% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population.
There were 1,549 households, of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.8% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 24.1% were non-families. 19.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.94.
The median age in the city was 46.7 years. 21.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19% were from 25 to 44; 37.3% were from 45 to 64; and 16% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.8% male and 51.2% female.
Parks
The City of Fenton is called the "City of Parks" due to its extensive park and recreation system. The City has seven fully developed parks on 350 plus acres including soccer fields, ball diamonds, sand volleyball courts, basketball courts, tennis courts, playgrounds, fishing ponds, and approximately three miles of bike/pedestrian paths through the City. The parks include: Fenton City Park, Bud Weil Memorial Park, Fenton Meramec Greenway, Olde Towne Plaza Riverside Park, Valiant Park, and Westside Park. Plans are being developed for the former Fabick property in the heart of the City. These plans include trails and some passive uses.
Heroes Memorial
In the spring of 2004, the Mayor of Fenton, Missouri, Dennis J. Hancock and the members of the Park Board (Board Chair, Glen Scholle, members Jeff Bodi, Charles Jahneke, Mike Lucas, Steve Covault, Gregg Cleveland, Diana Biras and Nannette Clark), determined that their city should build a memorial to the victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. It was also determined that the memorial would honor police, firefighters, EMS personnel and all veterans. The Heroes Memorial is located in Fenton City Park, 1215 Larkin Williams Rd., Fenton, MO 63026.
The Heroes Memorial includes:
• A granite globe that "floats” on a thin curtain of water and spins easily at the touch of a child’s hand
• A black granite wall honoring the victims of the September 11th attacks. Engraved in the granite are the locations of the attacks. In front of the wall is a sculpture symbolizing the “Twin Towers”
• Two black granite pilasters listing the names of area police, firefighters and military personnel killed in the line of duty
• A beautifully landscaped stone planter wall containing plaques honoring veterans, police, firefighters and the victims of 9/11
• Flagpoles sponsored by local organizations
• Granite benches and pillars
• Hundreds of engraved brick pavers honoring the heroes involved in the lives of our Community
Bud Weil Park
Bud Weil Park displays a rich history. Gregory Domijan was an immigrant from Croatioa, A province of Yugoslavia. In 1929 Domijan, a stonemason by trade, purchased a 60 care tract of land. Included in the purchase was this park site. The land was purchased by the City of Fenton in 1979 The park was named after Bud Weil. For more information about Bud Weil and other notable Fenton residents, check out “River City: The Story of Fenton, Missouri” by Della Lang at the St. Louis County Library.
Fabick Nature Reserve
Fabick Nature Reserve has 2 lakes at the park. Preslar Lake is the most popular and easiest to get to. Public fishing is made possible by the City of Fenton in cooperation with the Missouri Conservation Department. All state and Missouri Conservation rules apply and are posted.
Fenton City Park
Fenton City Park is 96 acres and features multiple shelters, 1.4 miles of trails, athletic fields for softball, baseball, and soccer, and two basketball courts.
Meramec Greenway
The Meramec River Greenway is located along the Meramec River. It can be found by following the walking/bike path from Fenton City Park along the river to the Highway 30 overpass. The Meramec River Greenway has a boardwalk that has been constructed from recycled materials. There is a playground and restrooms along the Greenway next to Fenton City Park.
Olde Towne Plaza
Old Towne Plaza Park is located in downtown Fenton on Ware Street. It has a brick walking path with park benches.
Riverside Park
Riverside Park is a small park alongside the Riverside subdivision featuring an outdoor basketball court.
Valiant Park
Valiant Park is situated across the street from Fenton City Park and Fabick Nature Preserve. Shelter, playground, youth ball field and restrooms are available. Reservations and permits for the park fields and shelter are available to City of Fenton residents only.
Westside Park
Westside Park is 10 acres and features 1 mile of paved trail, a basketball court, playground, a shelter, and a public fishing lake.
Riverchase of Fenton Recreation Center
Riverchase of Fenton Recreation Center hosts many programs and activities for members and guests to maintain a healthy lifestyle as well as numerous special events throughout the year for patrons of all ages. The state-of-the-art facility has a 5,694 square foot fitness center (includes indoor walking track), complete with 33 cardio machines, 21 selectorized weight machines, 3 swimming pools, and a basketball court.
Economy
Major corporations in the city include Tacony Corporation and Nooter Eriksen Corporation (makers of industrial equipment), Sachs Electric, UniGroup (owners of United Van Lines and Mayflower Transit (which was infamous for its role in the Baltimore Colts relocation to Indianapolis), Wolff Shoe, Maritz, Fabick Caterpillar, and 8th Avenue Food & Provisions. Joyce Meyer Ministries is based near Fenton, just outside the city limits in Jefferson County. Retail Technology Group, a major national point-of-sale supplier, is based in Fenton. Fenton contains a large industrial park and a newly developed logistics park located on the former Chrysler Assembly site.
Fenton also contains a large-scale outlet shopping center on both sides of 141 on the border of St Louis and Jefferson County. Notably, Gravois Bluffs includes a Walmart supercenter, Target, Lowe's, and Schnucks, as well as numerous other big-box stores, a variety of restaurants, and multiple other retail stores.
Chrysler
The former Chrysler North and South assembly plants were located on North Highway Drive in Fenton. Opened in 1959 and easily visible from Interstate 44, the Chrysler plant was a cornerstone of the Fenton economy for decades. A residential area was even built near the plant with street names like Fury, Imperial, Dart, and Valiant. In its later years, the South plant assembled Chrysler minivans such as the Chrysler Town & Country and the Dodge Grand Caravan, while the North plant assembled the Dodge Ram truck. The South plant ceased operations in 2008, while the North plant shut down for good in July 2009. In 2013 the site was considered as a possible location for a new stadium for the St. Louis Rams if renovations to the Edward Jones Dome did not materialize. In 2014 a local St. Louis real estate developer purchased the empty 300-acre lot to develop 240 acres of offices, businesses, and industrial buildings, with the remaining 60 acres primarily designated for retail use.
Education
The City of Fenton is served by the Rockwood, Northwest, and Lindbergh school districts. Rockwood Summit High School is located in Fenton and is the primary high school for area students. One private school, St. Paul Catholic School, is located in Fenton. Two others, Our Savior Lutheran School and Heritage Classical Christian Academy, are located adjacent to the city limits. The Meramec Valley Branch of the St. Louis County Library system is in Fenton, although a new, larger facility is open just outside the city limits.
Notable people
- Josh Arnold, host on The Bob & Tom Show
- Brian Boehringer, former pitcher for the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants
- Nicole Galloway, State Auditor of Missouri
- Joyce Meyer, Christian author and speaker
- Ken Schrader, NASCAR driver
- Mike Wallace, stock car racing driver
- Brandon Williams, NFL defensive lineman
See also
In Spanish: Fenton (Misuri) para niños
