The Parks of St. Louis Hills - Francis Park

St. Louis Hills is well known for the parks located in the neighborhood. Francis park is bounded by Nottingham Avenue to the north, Eichelberger Street to the south, Tamm Avenue to the east, and Donovan Avenue to the west. Francis Park consists of over 60 acres. David Francis made a gift of the park to the City of St. Louis in 1917, then in 1935, funds were made available and the park was greatly improved by the Work Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA built the athletic fields, tennis courts, walkways, picnic grounds and much of the landscaping. Francis Park features 2 handball courts, a lily pond, large playground, 2 racquetball courts, a soccer and softball field and 8 tennis courts. • Every September, the St. Louis Hills Neighborhood association holds the "Run For The Hills" • The entire profit from the "Run For The Hills" event are directed to the upkeep and improvement of Francis Park. The "Run For The Hills" profits have funded such projects as: the repair of sidewalks/new sidewalks, landscaping, new trees, new flowers, water fountains, trash cans, park benches, creation of hockey rink and much more. This years "Run For The Hills" event will be September 15, 2007. For more information click here.

The History of St. Louis Hills

Groundbreaking for St. Louis Hills began in 1930 and came to completion in the mid-1950s. French colonists Madame Ann Camp and Anton Reihle were deeded the land (2,471 acres) in 1768 from none other than one of St. Louis' founders, Pierre Laclede. Camp and Reihl's heirs sold the property to George Clarke, who then turn it over to his two sons. When St. Louis become the City of St. Louis in 1836, the property was vast open land with sections of forest. The land remained virtually untouched until the start of development in 1930.

David Francis, purchased part of the property in 1884 and established a farm. Francis became the President of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition beginning in 1889 and continue his service through its opening in 1904. Francis actually considered offering his farmland as a site for the World's Fair, but in the end, the pure logistics of transportation was too much. So, what is now Forest Park was chosen to be the site of the 1904 World's Fair. When Francis was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Russia in 1916, he made a gift of the land to the city. It was then named Francis Park. David Francis died in 1927, just before development of the property started in 1930. Today Francis Park is one of the most popular and well-maintained "neighborhood parks" in St. Louis.

Where is St. Louis Hills?

St. Louis Hills sets just west west of Hampton Avenue and just south of Chippewa Street in southwest St. Louis City. St. Louis Hills has a longstanding reputation of being one of the most beautiful subdivisions located within the city limits of St. Louis. For those of you not from St. Louis, the term subdivision, in reference to St. Louis Hills, does not reflect the typical suburban subdivision. St. Louis Hills was developed between 1930-1950 and holds the distinction of being the last and one of the largest urban subdivisions within the St. Louis city limits. Real estate values have steadily trended upward as the properties are updated and modernized. Typical home prices range from $300,000 to $400,000. The entire neighborhood has a reputation for working hard to keep crime statistics in check. With the neighborhoods close proximity to major highways such as I-44 to the north and I-55 to the south, it is the location of choice for those seeking to live within the city of St. Louis.