Carondelet,MO. One of St. Louis’s Most Historic and Beautiful Neighborhoods

Carondelet: One of St. Louis’s Most Historic and Beautiful Neighborhoods Located in the far southeastern area of St. Louis, the Carondelet neighborhood is an affluent community, and is home to many historic buildings. Its rich history dates back to 1799, where a census gave the total population of Carondelet being just 181 Caucasians and 3 African American slaves. This neighborhood is an affluent, mostly residential area, but it does have some industrial areas along the Mississippi River, and the commercial and residential spaces are further from the river and factories.
Historically, after 1799, more factories started popping up and the neighborhood became part of St. Louis in 1870. During the 1840s, the area was known for lead production, and during the Civil War, there were 32 gunboats being produced for the Union Army and Navy; the James Buchanan Eads Union Marine Works shipyards owned four of the major ironclads, including the Carondelet, named after the little town. Later, Carondelet was known for lead, since a large factory—Hertz Metal Company—operated in the town from 1870-1930. Now, there are a few factories left, such as the Israel Chemical Limited, once named Solutia before it became part of Astaris and later became Israel Chemical Limited.
The 60s and 70s brought on a time of revitalization of the neighborhood; in 1967 the Carondelet Historical Society was founded and the Carondelet Betterment Federation was organized in 1971. The Borden Pasta Group built the largest pasta factory in the U.S. and the whole of North America in 1991.
Carondelet has many attractions for not just residents of the community, but for tourists as well. These attractions include the Carondelet Historic Center, which houses books, trophies, historical papers, and other antiques that were obtained over the year. There’s also the Carondelet Park, one of the largest parks in St. Louis and features two lakes, softball, soccer and baseball fields, as well as playgrounds, picnic areas, a recycling center, and a bicycle path. Concerts are a popular event at the park, and residents and tourists alike enjoy the lovely pavilion that looks out at the lake (perfect for weddings or wedding pictures), the mini gazebos by the lake, and a fountain that adds to the park’s romantic feel. Another attraction in this neighborhood is the Ivory Theatre on Michigan Avenue, and features live dramas, musicals, comedies, concerts, and cabarets all year long, and also hosts corporate functions and events, plus weddings and other special occasions. The unique theatre is a renovation of a national historic landmark in the neighborhood.
Demographically, Carondelet residents are primarily Caucasians, with a small number of African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics. The average household income was approximately $35k in 2010, and a median home value of around $89k. The low home prices are a draw for those who work in downtown, or neighboring communities, and the safety and history is a draw for young families and retirees. Tourists love the history, the historic homes and buildings, and the parks that offer so many outdoor activities.
The Helderle Team 2013 © All Rights Reserved