A Wealthy Suburb

A Wealthy Suburb. Cherokee-Lemp Historic District. During the 1850's and 1860's, this high ground on the southern outskirts of St. Louis evolved into an enclave of elegant homes. At that time Broadway was known as Carondelet Avenue, and this street, now DeMenil Place, was known as 2nd Carondelet., In 1851, brewer Adam Lemp built his own large home here. In 1855, Lemp opened the rest of the block for subdivision. The following year Dr. Nicholas DeMenil, part owner of the first chain of drug stores in St. Louis, bought Chatillon's farmhouse and transformed it into a mansion. Its new, stately, Greek Revival design set the standard for the street., Two substantial homes were built on DeMenil Place at the end of the Civil War. Wagon maker Jacob Kern built the grand home at 3309 DeMenil, and a proprietor of a private park, Frederick Heitkamp, constructed 3333 DeMenil. Three years later, wealthy saloon owner Jacob Feickert built 3322 DeMenil, now known as the Lemp Mansion., The prestigious suburb was completed with the construction of the Second Empire style townhouse at 3301 DeMenil Place in the 1880's., During the mid-20th century, DeMenil Place slid into disrepair, almost to extinction. Gradually the block has been revived , first with the rescue of DeMenil Mansion, then the Pointer Family saved the Lemp Mansion, then Paul Pointer restored the Second Empire style townhouse as his home and began renovation of the adjacent, Italianate-style home., At the beginning of the 21st century, DeMenil Place is regaining its original glamour.