I had always noticed on maps the tiny municipality of Bella Villa, tucked away in still largely unincorporated South County. I was intrigued driving through two Sundays ago at the beauty of the houses, which look like they could be out of St. Louis Hills across the border.

I am not sure about the history of the subdivision–which is what Bella Villa basically is–but it looks to be a planned community near Lemay built in the 1940’s.

It also is apparently a huge speedtrap, which I wish I would have known before I went down there. I must have looked pretty suspicious driving around snapping pictures, but luckily no cops were to be found.