Amazing. Yesterday (4-7) I was driving up Big Bend and saw a small sign I had never noticed "Meramec Highlands Historic District". Lo and behold, today you put up a vid. That's kind of wild to me. Thanks.
My husband and I used to visit the ruins as we were rail fans. This was considered the vacation place to be away from the city. I used to walk around wishing I could go back in time and see what it was like back in the day. There is so much history I could tell you about my wonderful home town. It’s such a shame that society is so quick to discard great history.
My aunt and uncle lived there when I was a kid, before they discovered the Dioxin. I used to love spending time there. It was a nice area! It's a shame what happened.
A lot of interesting sordid history from this little area. Apparently, a famous gangster, Bill Dillinger(?) used the general store building as a hideout for a time. There was also a local gang that got into some trouble down by the Meramec as well if I recall. And of course the hotel was a speakeasy during prohibition like many other such resorts along the Meramec during that time. I have been in a couple of the cabins. They have a lot of distinctive character that you would expect from that period. Thought about buying one in the late 90's but the one we toured was just a bit too small and we ended up buying a summer home built during the same period just a little east from there on Forest Ave.
I'm 50 years old and have lived in St. Louis all 50 of those years, and didn't know about this resort. What an interesting piece of history. Kirkwood is a beautiful area and these houses are all stunning. I couldn't pick a favorite!
This place reminds me of The South Fork Fishing & Hunting Club that caused the Johnstown flood of 1889. The cottages there are just amazing with the huge red one in disrepair being my favorite!
My step mom has always lived in Kirkwood her whole life, when I was younger I lived there with my dad and her. Kirkwood is full of charm, unfortunately they bought a 'newer' house there which didn't have all the beautiful details the older ones did, still a very nice house, but not the same character older homes have. I like the dark blue one best. Another great video Ken!
Beautiful area. I loved the unique 'train station' home. I do wonder how much of the historic features are preserved inside. I had to laugh as you said that some of the resort guests were drinking until dawn. Nothing really changes, does it?
I love the history of the Meramec Highlands! At one time it was a complete community with a school (torn down to make way for Hwy, 270), post office and general store (the yellow building at 2:40), a quarry (now Dee Koestering Park off of Marshall Road), and more. The original train tunnel was closed off and the tracks were rerouted when newer locomotives had gotten too big to fit through. This tunnel is not the same one as the one at the Transportation Museum on Barrett Station Road, though. After the Highlands Resort Inn burned down, locals used the limestone blocks to build new homes in the area. There is a book written by James F. Baker with more info and pictures. The resort was in its heyday around the turn of the century when St. Louisans took the train to have some fun and relaxation away from the city for a bit, but as time went by and cars became more popular, people had more options of where they could go, and more pools and recreational areas opened up in other places. Not only did the type of clientele go down, but so did the profits.
I live in this neighborhood in an English stucco cottage built in 1926 (after the resort closed). My family and I love walking through the streets and admiring the different architecture of the homes.
We always enjoyed going to Kirkwood but had no idea of this historic resort. Thank you for revealing this story. Funny, we wanted to buy a house there, but could not afford it so we moved to Chesterfield. That was 30 years ago.
Amazing. Yesterday (4-7) I was driving up Big Bend and saw a small sign I had never noticed "Meramec Highlands Historic District". Lo and behold, today you put up a vid. That's kind of wild to me. Thanks.
I have lived in St louis my entire life and you guys just made this county
so much more interesting. Thank you @ThisHouse
My husband and I used to visit the ruins as we were rail fans. This was considered the vacation place to be away from the city. I used to walk around wishing I could go back in time and see what it was like back in the day. There is so much history I could tell you about my wonderful home town. It’s such a shame that society is so quick to discard great history.
Imagine Kirkwood being a getaway. Like the yellow one the best.
I would love to see inside one of those cottages, it’s great some are still standing.
I would love to see what they look like inside as well! Hopefully we will be invited to tour one someday.
-Ken
Times Beach was a resort. Thanks for sharing St Louis History.
My aunt and uncle lived there when I was a kid, before they discovered the Dioxin. I used to love spending time there. It was a nice area! It's a shame what happened.
A lot of interesting sordid history from this little area. Apparently, a famous gangster, Bill Dillinger(?) used the general store building as a hideout for a time. There was also a local gang that got into some trouble down by the Meramec as well if I recall. And of course the hotel was a speakeasy during prohibition like many other such resorts along the Meramec during that time. I have been in a couple of the cabins. They have a lot of distinctive character that you would expect from that period. Thought about buying one in the late 90's but the one we toured was just a bit too small and we ended up buying a summer home built during the same period just a little east from there on Forest Ave.
I'm 50 years old and have lived in St. Louis all 50 of those years, and didn't know about this resort. What an interesting piece of history.
Kirkwood is a beautiful area and these houses are all stunning. I couldn't pick a favorite!
This place reminds me of The South Fork Fishing & Hunting Club that caused the Johnstown flood of 1889. The cottages there are just amazing with the huge red one in disrepair being my favorite!
My step mom has always lived in Kirkwood her whole life, when I was younger I lived there with my dad and her. Kirkwood is full of charm, unfortunately they bought a 'newer' house there which didn't have all the beautiful details the older ones did, still a very nice house, but not the same character older homes have. I like the dark blue one best. Another great video Ken!
Good Morning fellow HOUSERS💕
Good evening!
Beautiful area. I loved the unique 'train station' home. I do wonder how much of the historic features are preserved inside. I had to laugh as you said that some of the resort guests were drinking until dawn. Nothing really changes, does it?
I am in love with the converted railroad Depot. I really hope someone invites you in to tour some of these homes.
I hope they do let you Tour those Cottages! :)
Great show. I was drawn to the beautiful yellow house.
I love the history of the Meramec Highlands! At one time it was a complete community with a school (torn down to make way for Hwy, 270), post office and general store (the yellow building at 2:40), a quarry (now Dee Koestering Park off of Marshall Road), and more. The original train tunnel was closed off and the tracks were rerouted when newer locomotives had gotten too big to fit through. This tunnel is not the same one as the one at the Transportation Museum on Barrett Station Road, though. After the Highlands Resort Inn burned down, locals used the limestone blocks to build new homes in the area. There is a book written by James F. Baker with more info and pictures. The resort was in its heyday around the turn of the century when St. Louisans took the train to have some fun and relaxation away from the city for a bit, but as time went by and cars became more popular, people had more options of where they could go, and more pools and recreational areas opened up in other places. Not only did the type of clientele go down, but so did the profits.
Thank you for sharing!
Thanks ken you are a wealth of knowledge. I really like the dark blue one. It be awesome if we can see inside one. Have a blessed day.😇
Neat! Liked the yellow one with the stone. But no tnterior tour? 😢
Hopefully we will be invited out to tour one someday, stay tuned!
Been a St. Louis city & county resident my entire life, and never heard of this area. So interesting. Great looking homes! Thanks
I live in this neighborhood in an English stucco cottage built in 1926 (after the resort closed). My family and I love walking through the streets and admiring the different architecture of the homes.
That's wonderful! Such a charming area to call home.
Thank you for another great tour. I hope you do get an invite to view one of the homes (you would do it right).
Thanks very much for the Tour.🥰
One of my cousins grew up in Kirkwood!
Nice shots of the the historic homes. Mine is one of the "newer" ones at only 62 years old.
What a surprise
Never knew this existed. Thanks for sharing
Made my day
Glad you enjoyed it!
Beautiful cottages. 😍
I liked the deep blue house before your conclusion.
Interesting and cool from a South County kid.
We always enjoyed going to Kirkwood but had no idea of this historic resort. Thank you for revealing this story. Funny, we wanted to buy a house there, but could not afford it so we moved to Chesterfield. That was 30 years ago.
And Chesterfield was cheaper?
Love the videos
Did you knock that garbage can over, Ken? Can't take you anywhere without you causing a ruckus. Lol
LOL! It was a windy day
@@ThisHouse lol I was thinking "Man... Ken wears jeans one day and the bad boy comes out." Haha
NO FAIR!!! I thought we were in….:(
Hopefully we will be invited back to tour one of them someday, stay tuned!
Did the water have the rotten egg smell? I liked the depot house. Thank you!
There are varying accounts, some say the water had a strong smell, some say it did not. Today, there is no odor.
These episodes are so brief & fast-talking that there's No Time to Savour these vast, ornate places. (I don't suggest a Sluggish pace!).