Don’t forget, as amazing the mansions in Compton Heights are, there are a wealth of stunning Second Empire houses dating back to the 1870s and 80s in the area, on the back streets or Compton Avenue. They represent an era that was mostly demolished in Midtown. They’re survivors, and you should take a look.
There was a nice collection of this style of homes in Mill Creek Valley prior to the wrecking ball and the bulldozers of “Urban Renewal.”
Yep. Can you imagine if they were still standing?
As one who was attending SLU at the time, let me assure you that most of MCV was a slum – and not a nice slum; it was not very safe, either. Starting with WWII (and possibly before), it was where people of both races who moved here from mainly the South landed first. They did not move into other parts of the City, as MCV had the lowest rental and housing prices.