This photograph of the lake in Benton Park was taken in 1915. One can imagine the elegance of the neighborhood, which was surrounded by elegant homes. The Benton Park neighborhood is located west of Highway 55, south of Gravois, east of Jefferson, and south to Cherokee.
The history of Benton Park goes back to 1836 when the land (then called St. Louis Commons) was authorized. However, active platting of subdivisions did not begin until the early 1850's. The park was at one time the City Cemetery and was created in 1866. After the Civil War and by 1875, the area had become a semi-urbanized district with small and medium-sized single-family dwellings. Many of these homes were built on solid ground between the sinkholes and underground caverns that honeycombed the area. One such cavern was used by Lemp brewery, which later closed during Prohibition.
Benton Park, with its outstanding architecture, is now going through a restoration period that is very similar to that experienced by Lafayette Square. The rehabbing of the neighborhood began in the 1980's with the concentration being the immediate area around Sidney Street. The home stock in this area was just starting the rehab phase and was fortunate that most of the homes had not been badly neglected over the years. Also, the availability of homes that were less expensive than those in Lafayette Square and in the Shaw area drew home buyers who wished to live in the City.
Benton Park is known for its proximity to the Cherokee Street Business District which runs along the southern edge of the neighborhood. This district is a Mecca for bargain hunters shopping the many antique shops, vintage clothing, etc. Traditionally a working class neighborhood, Benton Park has seen many changes in recent years. Many speculators have been attracted to buy buildings to take advantage of the 19th century homes. Most of the homes north of the park are single-family homes and have attracted professionals - both white and African Americans. South of the park are multi-family and single family homes.
While much of the home stock has been rehabbed in this immediate area of Benton Park, there are still considerable opportunities in the area just north of Arsenal. Numerous empty lots are being bought by investors who are constructing homes that offer modern amenities in a home that has the outward appearance of a home from the 1890's. Also, thanks to the availability of historic tax credits, there has been considerable rehabbing of neglected homes.
South of Benton Park is seeing strong rehabbing progress. This area was the most neglected part of Benton Park and is now the target of investors. This area is where the Lemp Mansion and the Lemp Brewery are located. With the announcement of the Lemp Brewery conversion to office and residential usage, the area south of Benton Park will continue to receive concerted efforts rehabbing.
While there are no schools in the neighborhood district, many elementary school students attend nearby Garfield Elementary and Notre Dame Elementary, both in Benton Park West. Religious institutions in Benton Park include Epiphany United Church of Christ, New City at the Olive Branch, St. Agatha, New Hope Baptist Church, and St. Agnes Senior Apartments.
One of the key attractions of the area are the fine restaurants that have located in Benton Park. For example, Sidney Street has two highly regarded restaurants: Nichei's and Sidney Street Cafe.
The bottom line is that Benton Park has become a highly desirable community that is attracting homebuyers that have vision to see the future restoration of this fine neighborhood. The domino effect is definitely in place as you see the results of rehabbing spreading from one block to the next.
Welcome from Benton Park Residents
Benton Park Dining
Benton Park Architecture | | Ron Gorman, Realtor | | Coldwell Banker Gundaker | | St. Louis Office | | 4320 Hampton Ave | | St. Louis, MO 63109 | | Office: (314) 351-6005 | | Cell: (314) 570-5125 | | Fax: (314) 667-3016 | | Contact Me |
|
|