Central West End, St. Louis

The Central West End is a distinct neighborhood in St. Louis, Missouri, stretching from Midtown's western edge to Union Boulevard and bordering on Forest Park with its outstanding array of free cultural institutions. It includes the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis (the New Cathedral) on Lindell Boulevard at Newstead Avenue, which houses the largest collection of mosaics in the world. The Central West End is represented by three Alderman as it sits partially in the 17th, 18th, and 28th Wards. [ [http://stlcin.missouri.org/alderman/neighald.cfm?NeighNum=38 City of St Louis Board of Aldermen: Aldermen Serving Central West End] ]

The CWE's commercial district is mainly along Euclid Avenue and stretches from Forest Park Parkway on the south to Delmar Boulevard on the north. Restaurants are primarily clustered in the Euclid/McPherson area, the Euclid/Laclede area and in Maryland Plaza. Unusual, elaborate turn-of-the-century lamp posts and cobblestone streets add to the atmosphere of this neighborhood which first grew in popularity with the coming of the 1904 World's Fair which was held in adjacent Forest Park. Some residential areas of the Central West End are included in the National Register of Historic Places. One example is Fullerton's Westminster Place, whose large, architect-designed homes, most of which were built in the period 1890-1910, were described in the NRHP nomination as one of the finest turn-of-the-century streetscapes in the United States. Another is the private place called Washington Terrace, laid out in 1892.
St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa lives in the neighborhood during the baseball season, as well as St. Louis Blues goaltender Manny Legace. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2006/news/story?id=2643009 ESPN - Fans pack Busch to help Cards celebrate Series crown - MLB] ] Playwright Tennessee Williams grew up in the neighborhood, and the houses of noted scholars T. S. Eliot and J. W. R. Hutchison actually back up to one another. The Central West End was also the location of Sally Benson's home, the setting of the stories which were adapted into the movie "Meet Me in St. Louis".

Boundaries

The neighborhood's boundaries are Union Boulevard and the eastern portion of Forest Park on the west, I-64 / US 40 on the south, Delmar Boulevard on the north, and Vandeventer Avenue on the east.

Public facilities

* Saint Louis Public Library Schlafly Branch, on Lindell Blvd. at Euclid Ave.
* Barnes-Jewish Hospital
* St. Louis Children's Hospital
* St. Louis College of Pharmacy
* U. S. Postal Service branch on Laclede Ave. between Boyle Ave. and Sarah Street
* Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
* Central West End MetroLink Station & MetroBus Center

Neighborhood organizations

* Cathedral Square
* Fullerton's Westminster Place
* Washington Terrace
* 4200 Washington POA
* Maryland-Boyle

References

External links

* [http://stlouis.missouri.org/cwe/ Central West End Website]
* [http://www.artsandcarafes.com/ Dining and Entertainment Guide for the CWE]
* [http://www.thecwe.com/ Central West End Business Association]
* [http://www.slfp.com/CentralWestEnd.html St. Louis Front Page]
* [http://www.explorestlouis.com/neighborhoods/cwe.asp?PageType=4 Explore St. Louis]
* [http://www.cweresidence.com/ CWEresidence]

See also

* Delmar Loop
* Forest Park (St. Louis)