On Grand Drive east of Cricket Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Cast at the Royal Artillery Foundry Seville, Spain March 21, 1783 during the Reign of Carlos III. Was turned over to the United States Army at Santiago, Cuba following the Spanish-American War of 1898. Presented to the City of Saint Louis, . . . — — Map (db m219542) HM WM
Near Wells Drive west of Concourse Drive, on the right when traveling west.
The 1904 World's Fair Flight Cage was built by the Smithsonian Institution for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis - the 1904 World's Fair. At that time it was the largest bird cage ever built, and it proved to be one of the most . . . — — Map (db m189224) HM
On DeBaliviere Circle south of Lindell Boulevard, on the right when traveling south.
The Palace of Fine Arts was the only major pavilion at the 1904 World's Fair designed as a permanent structure. In 1907, St. Louis passed a tax to create the municipally supported City Art Museum. — — Map (db m133303) HM
On DeBaliviere Circle south of Lindell Boulevard, on the right when traveling north.
The Jefferson Memorial home of the Missouri Historical Society stands on the site of the main entrance of the 1904 World's Fair. Constructed with funds from the fair, the building was the nation's first monument to Thomas Jefferson. — — Map (db m133314) HM
The Smithsonian Institution constructed a great iron birdcage as part of its exhibits at the 1904 World's Fair. In 1913, after the Smithsonian had sold it to the city, the structure became the nucleus of the new St. Louis Zoo. — — Map (db m139725) HM
On West Pine Drive at Kingshighway Boulevard, on the right when traveling west on West Pine Drive.
Commemorating the establishment of the first Jewish settlement in America at New Amsterdam in 1654
[Rededication plaque from 1989]
Dedicated initially in November 1956, The Lucy and Stanley Lopata Plaza, commemorating the . . . — — Map (db m219544) HM
On Fine Arts Drive at Government Drive, on the right when traveling west on Fine Arts Drive.
This large sculpture portrays King Louie IX of France [1214-70], the namesake of the City of St. Louis, as a Christian soldier. His "apotheosis' or ascendance to the divine realm is suggested by the sword in the form of a cross and the energetic . . . — — Map (db m181257) HM
On Grand Drive, 0.1 miles west of Cricket Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Parks Commissioner Dwight Davis thought that St. Louisans needed more opportunities for organized recreation. During his tenure, Davis built tennis courts, athletic fields, and a public golf course in Forest Park. — — Map (db m139722) HM
On Clayton Avenue east of McKinley Drive, on the right when traveling east.
Play Ball!
During 1920-21, this area of Forest Park served as a landing field for airmail service between St. Louis and Chicago. When the Park went through its first major restoration in the 1990s and 2000s, the newly named Boeing Aviation . . . — — Map (db m189235) HM
Near Wells Drive, 0.1 miles west of Concourse Drive, on the right when traveling west.
In Missouri, we are trying to protect and restore our remaining swamps and the animals that live there.
Return of a national symbol
Forty years ago, bald eagles were endangered in most states. In Missouri, all of the nesting bald . . . — — Map (db m219007) HM
On DeBaliviere Circle east of Grand Drive, on the right when traveling east.
The Steinberg Memorial Skating Rink, built in 1957 was the result of the largest private donation made in the park up to that time. Today, Forest Park Forever established in 1986 raises private funds for park improvements. — — Map (db m133311) HM
On DeBaliviere Circle west of Lagoon Drive, on the right when traveling east.
Forest Park's most controversial monument was the Confederate Memorial, unveiled in 1914. St. Louis had been torn apart by the Civil War, and many residents objected to a commemoration of the secessionist cause. — — Map (db m133304) HM
On Grand Drive at Grand Drive, on the right when traveling west on Grand Drive.
Begun in 1929, the River des Peres Containment Project channeled the flood-prone river into enormous underground pipes. These tubes run east and south through the park point from a near Des Peres Avenue. — — Map (db m139727) HM
On Government Drive south of Government Drive, on the right when traveling east.
The serpentine wall and Kiener Memorial Entrance to the Zoo were designed by William Bernoudy in 1966.
William Bernoudy was a St. Louis-born architect who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1930s. He played a vital role in the . . . — — Map (db m133326) HM
On DeBaliviere Circle at Lagoon Drive, on the right when traveling east on DeBaliviere Circle.
The Missouri History Museum, originally built as the first national monument to Thomas Jefferson, engages visitors in the exciting history of St. Louis from its founding in 1764 up to the present day. Visitors of any age can enjoy a variety . . . — — Map (db m133308) HM
On Wells Drive at Hampton Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Wells Drive.
Even before Forest Park hosted a segment of the 1904 Olympics, held concurrently with the World's Fair, the grounds had become a magnet for athletes. During these early decades, the Park was packed with visitors who arrived to swim and fish, ride . . . — — Map (db m171636) HM
On Grand Drive at Union Drive, on the right when traveling east on Grand Drive.
To remind
future generations
of the heroism of the
German-American patriots
of St. Louis and vicinity
in the Civil War of
1861 to 1865
General Franz Sigel — — Map (db m124918) WM
The first director and devoted builder of this zoo.
Serving from 1919 to 1962, he unselfishly gave of himself to the renown of big institution and his city. — — Map (db m189223) HM
Near Wells Drive, 0.1 miles west of Concourse Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Swamps are a favored habitat of the alligator snapping turtle, the largest freshwater turtle in North America. These turtles spend most of their time under water, hidden in the muddy floor of the swamp. Here they find a bounty of food, . . . — — Map (db m219009) HM
On Fine Arts Drive, 0.1 miles north of Government Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Class Oldenburg produces monumental sculptures of every day consumer objects. In this work, an enormous three - way electrical plug lies partly buried in the ground . The artist has described it as resembling " an implement left over from a war, . . . — — Map (db m181261) WM
Near Wells Drive west of Concourse Drive, on the right when traveling west.
All gorilla teens leave home. That's different from monkeys, other apes and humans. Gorilla daughters join other groups. Sons usually live alone, sometimes for years, until they can attract females and make their own group.
Are they really . . . — — Map (db m218983) HM
On Government Drive, 0.2 miles east of Washington Drive, on the right when traveling east. Reported missing.
This view of Government Hill is a piece of St. Louis history. The area and its features were established after the 1904 World's Fair, but fell into disrepair years later.
Forest Park Forever partnered with the City of St. Louis to . . . — — Map (db m139731) HM
On Government Drive, 0.2 miles east of Washington Drive, on the right when traveling east.
The World's Fair Pavilion was built in 1909 with proceeds from the 1904 World's Fair held here in Forest Park. Government Hill's colorfully lit fountain and reflecting pool were added in 1930. While the entire area had fallen into disrepair by . . . — — Map (db m139730) HM
Near Wells Drive west of Concourse Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Moms and Cubs
Grizzly bears normally give birth to two cubs in their den during the winter. Cubs will stay with their protective mother for up to three years before going out on their own.
Know Your Bears
Grizzly bears are a . . . — — Map (db m219014) HM
Near Wells Drive west of Concourse Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Pack Up Your Food
Grizzlies are true omnivores (like humans) and eat a variety of plants and animals, including roots, fruit, insects, fish, young deer and elk, and even carrion (dead animals).
Poo Clues
Grizzly scat (droppings) . . . — — Map (db m219016) HM
Since its very beginning, the Saint Louis Zoo has been a leader in exhibit design. With the world's largest walk-through bird cage built for the World's Fair of 1904 and the open moated bear pits built in 1921, the Zoo combined good animal care with . . . — — Map (db m189234) HM
On Grand Drive, 0.1 miles west of Cricket Drive, on the right when traveling west.
In the late 1700's, St. Louis's Spanish government supplied settlers with grants of land in and around the colonial village. In 1785, Charles Gratiot received a huge tract of land that included much of today's Forest Park. — — Map (db m139717) HM
On Lagoon Drive at DeBaliviere Circle, on the right when traveling south on Lagoon Drive.
Citizens of St. Louis City and County created joint taxing districts for the support of the Art Museum, Zoo, and the Museum of Science in 1971. In the 1980s, voters created new tax districts for the Botanical Garden and History Museum. — — Map (db m133307) HM
On DeBaliviere Circle east of Grand Drive, on the right when traveling north.
In 1919, the Red Cross and the City Parks Department opened a vacation village for families who could not afford to leave town on vacation. The village offered tents, playgrounds, a mess hall, and a first aid station. — — Map (db m133313) HM
On DeBaliviere Circle south of Lindell Boulevard, on the right when traveling south.
The excavation of six Indian mounds during preparations for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition reminded St. Louisans that others had occupied Forest Park's land long before the city itself came into being. — — Map (db m133302) HM
On DeBaliviere Circle south of Lindell Boulevard, on the right when traveling north.
For over forty years, St. Louis police suspended the city's park curfew during summer heat waves. Many St. Louisans remember fondly the camaraderie of sleeping in Forest Park during those pre-air-conditioned days. — — Map (db m133315) HM
On Grand Drive, 0.1 miles west of Cricket Drive, on the right when traveling west.
In the days before automobiles, St. Louisans depended on streetcars. The first streetcar line reached Forest Park in 1885. Within a decade, the park was drawing more than 2.5 million visitors per year. — — Map (db m139720) HM
On Grand Drive, 0.1 miles west of Cricket Drive, on the right when traveling west.
In 1904, Forest Park was the site of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. More than 20 million people attended the World's Fair. Today, many St. Louisans still consider it one of the defining moments of their city's history. — — Map (db m139721) HM
On Grand Drive just south of DeBaliviere Circle, on the right when traveling north.
Thousands of citizens contributed to the Forest Park Master Plan of 1995. Following two years of study, a mayoral committee crafted a plan to renew the park to balance the diverse needs of its users. — — Map (db m139729) HM
On Government Drive west of Pagoda Circle, on the left when traveling west.
Named for the 1904 World's Fair Palace of the same name
Built 1908 by the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company
Replaced 2018 by the City of St. Louis & Forest Park Forever — — Map (db m171637) HM
Near Wells Drive, 0.1 miles west of Concourse Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Once, swamps covered vast lands throughout the southeastern United States.
Land lost
Missouri used to boast more than 2.5 million acres of rich swampland. Now the land has been converted and drained for farming as well as logged for . . . — — Map (db m219004) HM
On DeBaliviere Circle east of Grand Drive, on the right when traveling east.
Since the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, Forest Park has been a St. Louis treasure and top tourist destination. Known as the crown jewel of the Midwest, 13 million people visit the the 1,300-acre park each year. The park includes 170 acres of . . . — — Map (db m133309) HM
Near Wells Drive west of Concourse Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Native Bees
Native bees are a large and diverse group of wild bees originating from North America. There are over 4,000 species of bees in the U.S. and Canada.
Missouri Bees
Missouri has over 400 species of bees, ranging in size . . . — — Map (db m219020) HM
Near Wells Drive west of Concourse Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Bald eagles nest in swamps and other wetland areas in summer. A mated pair often returns to the same nest year after year, enlarging it over time. When the eagles leave the nest, other birds move in.
Just 20 years ago, no bald eagles nested . . . — — Map (db m219003) HM
Near Wells Drive west of Concourse Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Habitat loss due to human activity is causing grizzly bear populations to decrease. On these maps you can see where bears used to live in North America vs. where they are still found.
Grizzly Bears
Where would you need to travel to see . . . — — Map (db m219015) HM
Near Wells Drive west of Concourse Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Year of the Gorilla
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has declared 2009 the International Year of the Gorilla. The severity of the problems threatening gorillas are so serious that WAZA has initiated this major awareness . . . — — Map (db m218981) HM
The economic Panic of 1893 hit St. Louis hard. Joseph Pulitzer's Post-Dispatch, then 15 years old, offered a day's wages to anyone willing to help dig this lake. Some 20,000 unemployed men excavated the basin with picks and shovels. The lake is a . . . — — Map (db m171634) HM
The River Des Peres once ran through Forest Park, carving through the landscape and shaping the Park's ecosystems. The river and the Park changed greatly as a result of the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Increased development at that time . . . — — Map (db m213377) HM
On Clayton Avenue, 0.4 miles west of South Kingshighway, on the right when traveling west.
[Top plaque:]
The River Des Peres Sewage and Drainage Works extends 14 miles from the city limits northwest to Delmar and Skinker to the Mississippi River south of the city.
Four miles of massive, enclosed reinforced concrete sewers . . . — — Map (db m141182) HM
On Fine Arts Drive, 0.1 miles north of Government Drive, on the right when traveling north.
Forest Park was site of the 1904 World's Fair (Louisiana Purchase Exposition). The site where the Museum now stands was the highest point at the Fair, and the building was three times as large. After the Fair, the temporary wings were demolished. . . . — — Map (db m141216) HM
In 1995, the Saint Louis Zoo developed its first strategic plan when the Zoo's leadership realized that the birth of Raja, the Zoo's first male Asian elephant, would require a larger facility than the existing Elephant House. The Saint Louis Zoo . . . — — Map (db m189236) HM
This plaque is dedicated to the Saint Louis Zoo Friends Association in recognition of their generous leadership support to the Saint Louis Zoo and the capital campaign that will maintain and strengthen the Zoo into its second century. Founded in . . . — — Map (db m189233) HM
On Grand Drive, 0.1 miles east of Lagoon Drive, on the right when traveling west.
In 1920, city officials used park land to build a runway for the new St. Louis to Chicago airmail service. Although the service operated for less than one year, the area is still known as Aviation Field. — — Map (db m139726) HM
Throughout Forest Park, dozens of significant landmarks, landscapes and natural areas - including around Steinberg Skating Rink - have been restored and continue to be maintained through the public private partnership of the City of St. Louis and . . . — — Map (db m213383) HM
Near Wells Drive west of Concourse Drive, on the right.
Swan Or Goose?
Its name might be confusing but this large goose is named for its long, swan-like neck.
Vegetarian Goose
The swan goose often grazes on land, feeding exclusively on plants. Farmers sometimes use the domesticated . . . — — Map (db m219012) HM
Near Wells Drive west of Concourse Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Swamp rabbits are at home in a wetland habitat. Swamp plants provide food, nesting material, and hiding places. Swamp rabbits are excellent swimmers, and often take to the water to escape their natural enemies.
Once common in Missouri when . . . — — Map (db m219008) HM
Post-Dispatch Lake, named for an 1894 fundraising campaign by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, has long been the site of fond memories of boating and fishing for St. Louisans. Electric boats, introduced in 1930, were so popular that people . . . — — Map (db m171635) HM
On Grand Drive, 0.1 miles west of Cricket Drive, on the right when traveling west.
You're en route to a Forest Park icon — the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center, operated by Forest Park Forever in partnership with Explore St. Louis.
Originally built in 1892 as the Lindell Pavilion Streetcar shelter, . . . — — Map (db m139718) HM
On Lagoon Drive east of Fine Arts Drive, on the right when traveling east.
During the World's Fair, the Grand Basin and adjoining plaza provided the central scenic panorama for the event's 20 million attendees. On either side stood a dozen temporary — yet grand themselves — palaces built of plaster and wood. . . . — — Map (db m133325) HM
On Faulkner Drive, 0.1 miles south of Clayton Avenue, on the left when traveling south.
Since 1963 this iconic structure has been St. Louis' Gateway to the Stars to over 300,000 visitors a year. Established and first operated by the City of St. Louis, the Planetarium merged in 1984 with the Museum of Science & Natural History to become . . . — — Map (db m141177) HM
On Wells Drive just east of McKinley Drive, on the right when traveling west.
When the Jewel Box was dedicated in 1936, crowds flocked to experience its magnificent Art Deco design. The structure's unique construction of cantilevered glass supported by arched steel beams also proved a ground-breaking (but not . . . — — Map (db m139732) HM
On Pagoda Circle, 0.1 miles west of Theatre Drive, on the right when traveling west.
The Muny is America's oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre. Founded in 1919, our mission is to enrich lives by producing exceptional musical theatre, accessible to all. Generations have enjoyed everything from operettas and ballets to . . . — — Map (db m141179) HM
On Summit Drive south of Union Drive, on the right when traveling south.
The Muny is America's oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre. Founded in 1919, our mission is to enrich lives by producing exceptional musical theatre, accessible to all. Generations have enjoyed everything from operettas and ballets to . . . — — Map (db m219022) HM
On Grand Drive, 0.1 miles west of Cricket Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Lindell Railway Company opened the Lindell Pavilion as a shelter for visitors who took the streetcar to Forest Park for a day's relaxation away from the city. The building was remodelled in 1914 as a golf and tennis locker room and pro shop. . . . — — Map (db m226791) HM
On Pagoda Circle just west of Cricket Drive, on the right when traveling south.
Today's Nathan Frank Bandstand - a Classic in its Own Right
Dedicated in 1925 and built with white marble and concrete with bronze rails and a copper roof, the Nathan Frank Bandstand - restored in 2000 - is still a Forest Park and St. . . . — — Map (db m144817) HM
On Lagoon Drive west of Fine Arts Drive, on the right when traveling east.
Spanning 2.5 nautical miles from west to east, the Taylor Kindle River is the backbone of Forest Park, the singular feature that stretches across nearly the entire destination.
Water has been a central part of the Forest Park experience . . . — — Map (db m213372) HM
On Grand Drive just north of Grand Drive, on the right when traveling north.
African American tennis great Richard A. Hudlin sued to compete in the 1945 city tennis championship. Today the Richard Hudlin Memorial Courts commemorate his efforts in opening the park to all. — — Map (db m139728) HM
Near Wells Drive, 0.1 miles west of Concourse Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Too Close for Comfort
Habitat destruction has forced gorillas to live closer to human settlements. Since gorillas and humans share most genes, we also share most diseases. Outbreaks of Ebola that have killed hundreds of people before being . . . — — Map (db m219002) HM
Near Wells Drive, 0.1 miles west of Concourse Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Great apes are our closest kin. We share 98.4 percent of our genes with gorillas. Like us, gorillas show self-awareness, emotions such as joy and distress, and the ability to communicate with signs and symbols. Despite our fascination with these . . . — — Map (db m218984) HM
Near Wells Drive west of Concourse Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Raising Hellbenders
In 2011, we successfully bred Ozark hellbendersit was the first time in the world that these animals were bred in a zoo.
Seven years later, those babies were old enough to produce their own babies.
Releasing . . . — — Map (db m218977) HM
Near Wells Drive, 0.1 miles west of Concourse Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Opening a New Breeding Center
We opened a new breeding center in Armenia.
This unique center is the first of its kind and cares for endangered amphibians and reptiles, with a focus on vipers.
Right now, it houses mountain vipers . . . — — Map (db m218978) HM
Near Wells Drive west of Concourse Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Adding Habitat for Gorillas
We are helping to add land to a national park to protect gorillas.
This will increase the amount of protected habitat they have.
We are also working with local Congolese people to develop responsible . . . — — Map (db m219010) HM
Near Wells Drive west of Concourse Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Saving American Burying Beetles
We have been searching for the American burying beetle in Missouri since 2001.
These beetles were once found in 35 states. Now they are endangered and only found in a few isolated locations.
They . . . — — Map (db m219018) HM
On Wells Drive west of Hampton Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
At 1,371 acres, Forest Park is St. Louis' big backyard. Home to extraordinary natural areas, restored historic landmarks, world-class cultural institutions, hundreds of species of wildlife and endless opportunities for recreation and relaxation, . . . — — Map (db m219021) HM
On Lagoon Drive just east of Skinker Boulevard, on the right when traveling east.
At 1,371 acres, Forest Park is St. Louis' big backyard. Home to extraordinary natural areas, restored historic landmarks, world-class cultural institutions, hundreds of species of wildlife and endless opportunities for recreation and relaxation, . . . — — Map (db m219034) HM
On Union Boulevard at Grand Drive, on the right when traveling south on Union Boulevard.
At 1,371 acres, Forest Park is St. Louis' big backyard. Home to extraordinary natural areas, restored historic landmarks, world-class cultural institutions, hundreds of species of wildlife and endless opportunities for recreation and relaxation, . . . — — Map (db m219541) HM
On Grand Drive at West Pine Drive, on the right when traveling east on Grand Drive.
At 1,371 acres, Forest Park is St. Louis' big backyard. Home to extraordinary natural areas, restored historic landmarks, world-class cultural institutions, hundreds of species of wildlife and endless opportunities for recreation and relaxation, . . . — — Map (db m219543) HM
On DeBaliviere Circle west of Lagoon Drive, on the right when traveling east.
At times, Forest Park's land has been valued for needs other than recreation. Both the 1936 Oakland Express Highway (today's I-64) and the 1959 Forest Park Expressway brought high speed traffic through the park. — — Map (db m133305) HM
On DeBaliviere Circle at Lagoon Drive on DeBaliviere Circle.
Each summer, the Heartland Disability Rights March and Rally passes through Forest Park. This rally—the largest of its kind in the nation—commemorates the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. — — Map (db m133306) HM
Grizzly Ridge exemplifies how the Saint Louis Zoo combines its innovative exhibit history and dedication to animal welfare to create a state-of-the-art habitat, which helps us provide the best care for our animals.
Modern Habitat
In . . . — — Map (db m189230) HM
Near Concourse Drive north of Washington Drive, on the right when traveling south.
Though called the World's Fair Pavilion, this popular gathering spot was not built until 1909, five years after the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Designed by Henry Wright, the pavilion was presented to the citizens of St. Louis by the Fair . . . — — Map (db m133327) HM
