Taken from Lemay Comprehensive Plan 2006 Housing Partnership, St. Louis County Department of Planning
Lemay History
Historic 1880s photo
Walz's Bar
Walz's Bar
The French were the first European inhabitants in what is now Lemay. In 1700, the French Jesuits established a mission and small settlement near the mouth of the River Des Peres. Three years later, however, the mission was transferred to Kaskaskia, Illinois and the settlement was soon abandoned. Development in the area did not resume until the second half of the 18th century as a result of the growth of Carondelet. Carondelet was a French settlement established in 1767. The Lemay portion of Carondelet, known formally as Carondelet Commons, was located south of the River Des Peres and used primarily for agricultural purposes. By 1770, the residents of Carondelet were using the land to the south of the River Des Peres as part of their common field, harvesting timber there for use as fuel, fencing, and for sale in local markets. While vital to Carondelet’s development in present-day St. Louis, the use of the commons hampered private settlement and development in what became Lemay. Due to its status as a municipal common ground, land titles for the area were disputed well into the 19th century. Lemay’s identity as a community separate from Carondelet began to materialize between the Civil War and the Great Depression. Settlement progressed in the final decades of the 19th century by the resolution of land disputes and from a surge of immigrants from St. Louis and Europe, especially the Germanic areas. The immigrants established several small communities in the area south of the River Des Peres such as Luxemburg, Ivory, Bismark Heights, Longwood, and Bobringville. Development continued between 1880 and 1920 with the start of industrial development such as The National Brick and Quarry Company and Stupp Brothers; new streetcar service to St. Louis; the formation of various civic improvement associations; the creation of volunteer fire departments; and the establishment of a local bank. Community awareness was also enhanced by the establishment of local schools and churches during these years. Lemay is named for a pioneer family from Carondelet – Lemai or Lemais – who operated a ferry service across the Meramec River in the 1800s. As far as is known, the first time “Lemay” was used, as a place name was when St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad built a Lemay station, completed by 1909. As late as 1930, Luxemburg, Dewey Heights, Lemay Comprehensive Plan Longwood, and Point Breeze were still primarily used for local identification. It was in that year that the Naborhood Link News was established with the purpose of linking these scattered neighborhoods, and others, into one community. However, it was not until 1936, with the opening of the Lemay Branch of the U.S. Post Office, that “Lemay” was officially applied to the entire community. By the turn of the 20th century, various industries and businesses began to serve the local population, and community services were established to transform Lemay into a functional, modern settlement.
Heine Meine Baseball Field
Three ball fields comprise the Heine Meine complex which was named long ago for a former St. Louis Browns player, Henry William “Heine” Meine. Meine was born in what was Luxemburg but now known as Lemay.
After WWI Meine opened a small tavern and played semi-professional baseball. He was signed to the St. Louis Browns in 1921 and was known in baseball for his curveball.
After retiring from baseball, Meine returned to running his tavern but also opened and operated a baseball school with his sons where the fields are today. He established the Lemay Baseball Association who still use the fields today. In 2012 the Hancock Place School District purchased the field from the Lemay Baseball Association.
The fields are located at 153 Lemay Ferry Road.
After WWI Meine opened a small tavern and played semi-professional baseball. He was signed to the St. Louis Browns in 1921 and was known in baseball for his curveball.
After retiring from baseball, Meine returned to running his tavern but also opened and operated a baseball school with his sons where the fields are today. He established the Lemay Baseball Association who still use the fields today. In 2012 the Hancock Place School District purchased the field from the Lemay Baseball Association.
The fields are located at 153 Lemay Ferry Road.
Heine Meine Field |
Henry William "Heine" Meine |
Heine Meine Tavern
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Jefferson Barracks
Throughout its history, Jefferson Barracks has been a training ground, mobilization center, and burial site for soldiers, hosting notable figures like Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee. Today, it stands as a historic landmark, honoring the sacrifices of those who have served their country.
Established in 1826, Jefferson Barracks is one of the oldest active military installations west of the Mississippi River. Initially built to protect the young nation's western frontier, the barracks played pivotal roles in various conflicts, including the Civil War, World War I, and World War II.
During the Civil War, it served as a recruitment depot for the North and in 1862 construction began on hospital facilities that would serve soldiers from both the north and south. By the end of the Civil War the hospital had served over 18,000 soldiers.
During World War I, the base served as the main base in aviation parachute experiments. Albert Berry became the first person to successfully parachute from an airplane on March 1, 1912. The base also served as a training and recruitment center for troops heading off to Europe.
During World War II, it served as a basic training site for the Army. By the end of the war in 1946, the base was decommissioned as a military post and portions of the grounds were sold off for the construction of homes. The St. Louis Housing Authority acquired some of the barracks and used them as temporary low-cost housing.
Nowadays, Jefferson Barracks boasts two St. Louis County Parks—Jefferson Barracks County Park and Sylvan Springs County Park—alongside a National Guard Base accommodating both Army and Air units. It also houses the revered Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery and the Department of Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System - Jefferson Barracks Division. The 135-acre National Guard post at Jefferson Barracks serves as the home base for the 70th Troop Command, the largest brigade within the Missouri Army National Guard, and headquarters for vital units including the Region 7 Homeland Response Force, the 157th Air Operations Group of the Missouri Air National Guard, and the 10th Psychological Operations Battalion of the U.S. Army Reserve. Within Jefferson Barracks County Park, several museums enrich visitors' experiences, including the Missouri Civil War Museum, the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, the Powder Magazine Museum, and the Laborer's House Museum.
Established in 1826, Jefferson Barracks is one of the oldest active military installations west of the Mississippi River. Initially built to protect the young nation's western frontier, the barracks played pivotal roles in various conflicts, including the Civil War, World War I, and World War II.
During the Civil War, it served as a recruitment depot for the North and in 1862 construction began on hospital facilities that would serve soldiers from both the north and south. By the end of the Civil War the hospital had served over 18,000 soldiers.
During World War I, the base served as the main base in aviation parachute experiments. Albert Berry became the first person to successfully parachute from an airplane on March 1, 1912. The base also served as a training and recruitment center for troops heading off to Europe.
During World War II, it served as a basic training site for the Army. By the end of the war in 1946, the base was decommissioned as a military post and portions of the grounds were sold off for the construction of homes. The St. Louis Housing Authority acquired some of the barracks and used them as temporary low-cost housing.
Nowadays, Jefferson Barracks boasts two St. Louis County Parks—Jefferson Barracks County Park and Sylvan Springs County Park—alongside a National Guard Base accommodating both Army and Air units. It also houses the revered Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery and the Department of Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System - Jefferson Barracks Division. The 135-acre National Guard post at Jefferson Barracks serves as the home base for the 70th Troop Command, the largest brigade within the Missouri Army National Guard, and headquarters for vital units including the Region 7 Homeland Response Force, the 157th Air Operations Group of the Missouri Air National Guard, and the 10th Psychological Operations Battalion of the U.S. Army Reserve. Within Jefferson Barracks County Park, several museums enrich visitors' experiences, including the Missouri Civil War Museum, the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, the Powder Magazine Museum, and the Laborer's House Museum.
Postcard from Jefferson Barracks
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Albert Berry, first person to successfully parachute from a plane.
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Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery
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Calvary barracks built in 1898.
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Sylvan Springs Park
Sylvan Springs, formally Rock Springs, was used as a temporary military encampment in 1826. Later that same year a more permanent camp was established upstream and became Jefferson Barracks. The original encampment at Rock Springs remained unused until 1939 when the 6th Infantry improved the area with stone retaining walls and terraces. Two years later men from Jefferson Barracks cleared the underbrush, built an amphitheater, dance floor, and ball fields. The USO hosted many shows there that included many well known performers such as Judy Garland.
The Sylvan Springs property was conveyed to the County from the Federal Government in 1950 and was dedicated on October 23, 1954. It quickly became one of the most popular parks for many years and hosted many school and business picnics.
St. Louis businessman Howard C. Ohlendorf donated the carousel from the old Forest Park Highlands Amusement Park to the County. The carousel operated at Sylvan Springs from 1966 until 1979. The carousel was in operation at Sylvan Springs until 1980 when it was purchased by the St. Louis County Historic Buildings Commission and Faust Cultural Heritage Foundation and moved to a permanent building in Faust Park.
Today the park has a skate park, splash pad, tennis courts, play area and picnic tables.
The Sylvan Springs property was conveyed to the County from the Federal Government in 1950 and was dedicated on October 23, 1954. It quickly became one of the most popular parks for many years and hosted many school and business picnics.
St. Louis businessman Howard C. Ohlendorf donated the carousel from the old Forest Park Highlands Amusement Park to the County. The carousel operated at Sylvan Springs from 1966 until 1979. The carousel was in operation at Sylvan Springs until 1980 when it was purchased by the St. Louis County Historic Buildings Commission and Faust Cultural Heritage Foundation and moved to a permanent building in Faust Park.
Today the park has a skate park, splash pad, tennis courts, play area and picnic tables.
Dance floor at Sylvan Springs.
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Rock Garden at Sylvan Springs.
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The carousel from Forest Park Highlands Amusement Park was relocated to Sylvan springs and operated from 1966 to 1979 before being moved to Faust Park.
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