Kingsbury Place facts for kids
Kingsbury Place is a special neighborhood in St. Louis, Missouri. It was started in 1902. A "private place" means it's a neighborhood where the streets and common areas are owned and maintained by the residents, not the city. This gives the people living there more control over their community.
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Discovering Kingsbury Place
A Special Neighborhood's Beginning
The land for Kingsbury Place was planned by Julius Pitzman. He was a famous surveyor and planner. He even helped design Forest Park in St. Louis. Many people called him "the father of the private place" in the United States because he helped create so many of these unique neighborhoods. Julius Pitzman liked Kingsbury Place so much that he built his own home there at #6.
Beautiful Architecture and Art
The grand entry gates at Kingsbury Place are very impressive. They were designed in a style called Beaux-Arts, which is known for being fancy and detailed. A famous architect named Thomas P. Barnett helped design these gates. On the Union gate, you can see a beautiful bronze statue called Awakening of Spring. It was created by an artist named Clare Pfeifer Garrett.
A Protected St. Louis Landmark
Because of its history and unique design, Kingsbury Place was officially named a City Landmark by the City of St. Louis in 1973. This means it's a special place that the city wants to protect and preserve for future generations.
Protecting Kingsbury Place Homes
Neighbors Work Together
In the 1970s, something important happened that showed how much the neighbors cared about Kingsbury Place. The owner of one of the homes, at #4 Kingsbury Place, passed away. In her will, she asked for her house to be torn down and the land sold.
However, her neighbors didn't want the house to be demolished. They believed it would harm the look and value of their historic neighborhood. They also felt it went against the rules they had all agreed upon for the community. So, the neighbors took legal action to stop the demolition. After a long process, the neighbors won their case. This meant the house was saved, showing the power of a community working together to protect its special places.
Images for kids
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11 Kingsbury Place
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21 Kingsbury Place
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35 Kingsbury Place
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75 Kingsbury Place
