Lafayette Square in St. Louis, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Welcome to Lafayette Square!

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 18, 2019

1. Welcome to Lafayette Square! Marker

Inscription. Lafayette Square, St. Louis oldest historic district, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Originally, the Square was part of a 4,000 acre parcel of land called the Commons and was established in 1764 for grazing livestock and collecting firewood. With the exception of thirty acres that was reserved for a public square, the Commons was divided into plots and sold beginning in 1836. That public square, now known as Lafayette Park (located one block west of here), is the oldest developed park west of the Mississippi River. The park is the centerpiece of Lafayette Square, which today consists of 375 Victorian homes of French Second Empire, Romanesque, Italianate, Queen Anne and Federal designs. As John Albury Bryan, noted architect and author wrote: "Lafayette Square is the most significant historical neighborhood in the city of St. Louis. Surrounding Lafayette Park, the city's first park, the neighborhood's development began in earnest in the 1850's. Due to the exuberance and passion of its residents, the neighborhood has remained largely intact, surviving blight, deterioration, and neglect during

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much of the mid-twentieth century." In 1970, residents channeled their fierce pride in the neighborhood's architecture and formed the Lafayette Square Restoration Committee (LSRC) to safeguard it. The strength of our neighborhood continues to be our dedicated residents. It is this dedication that makes us proud to share our neighborhood and history with you.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 38° 37.009′ N, 90° 12.717′ W. Marker is in St. Louis, Missouri. It is in Lafayette Square. It is on Park Avenue, on the right when traveling east. It is a sidewalk plaque on the Lafayette Square Plaza, near the fountain. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1804 Park Avenue, Saint Louis MO 63104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 18, 2019

2. Welcome to Lafayette Square! Marker

Sidewalk plaque on the plaza

what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lafayette Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Dolman Row (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Grotto Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Old Police Station / Park House in Lafayette Park (approx. ¼ mile away); These Guns are from the British Man Of War (approx. ¼ mile away); Senator Thomas Hart Benton, 1782-1858 (approx. ¼ mile away); 1876 Lafayette Park Music Pavilion (approx. ¼ mile away); George Washington Statue (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Louis.

More about this marker. It is not known when this marker was placed, or the organization behind it.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 629 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 20, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.