Who would have thought there was such a wonderful pocket of early Twentieth century houses a stone’s throw away from the Mississippi River in the far northern reaches of the city? I learned of the street from Noco STL, and had to check it out myself. Surrounded by run-down apartment buildings, these houses are still in great shape for the most part. The isolation is the most striking feature of this neighborhood.
03/19/2013, 10:05 pm
What a lovely find! i love hidden treasures like this.
03/20/2013, 12:06 am
I stumbled upon this pocket last year while looking for remnants of the old Chain of Rocks Amusement Park. There was nothing left, save a few paved areas – apparently all of the Section 8 housing was built over the park. But those houses were a real treat; just an oasis of beauty up there.
04/16/2013, 02:02 pm
Tom, where was the park, exactly?
04/16/2013, 05:23 pm
The park was at the end of Lookaway; north of the teardrop. That was the turnaround located just outside the gates. There should still be a fountain, steps and some concrete flower pots left over from the original park on the slope leading down to Riverview Drive. According to my dad these were put in during the early 1900s for a scenic walk. I have a few pictures of these from the 90s; before they closed all the streets on the hill. You used to be able to access them from the last road that headed down just south of the teardrop.
04/16/2013, 05:44 pm
Thanks, Amy. I see what you’re talking about from satellite images. There seems to be a path through the trees.
04/17/2013, 03:53 pm
Several good aerial views of the park in its heyday – also easy to locate because of the bridge: http://www.forestparkhighlands.com/chainofrocks.html
Also http://oldroute66.us/MO/moc000040.html
A 7-minute video from 1970! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-3PZFT0UOg
It closed in 1978.
04/17/2013, 09:28 pm
Holy crap, after having read this post a while back, it motivated me to go up there with a friend of mine and explore the street and surrounding area on our bikes. We found all those big stone flower pots, fountain, and grand staircase still in the woods, almost completely reclaimed by the woods. I have some photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/102206720419401713224/ChainOfRocks02
04/17/2013, 10:09 pm
Thanks, Casey! Could you check the link to the photos? It didn’t work for me.