Benton Park West

Benton Park West is a neighborhood rich in history with a strong sense of heritage. South and east of their historic service neighborhoods of Fox Park and Tower Grove East, DeSales’ would love to have more of a presence in this community. The neighborhood lies next to Gravois Park and Benton Park, and residents are within walking distance to the Historic Cherokee Shopping District. Cherokee Street is a hotspot of St. Louis in itself, and it brings a strong business and cultural presence to the neighborhood. Much of the architecture in Benton Park West dates back to the late 1800s-early 1900s, and residents take pride in their building’s handcrafted wood, brickwork, and stained glass. BPW is also an economically and ethnically diverse neighborhood that people love to call home.

History

Benton Park West has always been a big residential and commercial district. This is partly because of the early horse-drawn and electric streetcar lines on S. Jefferson, Gravois, Arsenal, and Cherokee. BPW is comprised of two earlier neighborhood sections, Compton Hill and Marquette-Cherokee.

"Benton Park West was already a community by the mid-1880’s in the city of St. Louis. There were carpenters, builders, stone masons, dairymen, gardeners, market owners, grocers, saddle and harness makers, a blacksmith, a midwife, and two saloons to serve the area of about 50 city blocks.The neighborhood was considered a working-class neighborhood and a German community. While most of the residents were working class, many owned their own businesses. There were also some very prominent residents. Many of the beautiful homes the working class immigrants built remain in their architectural grandeur today." - Edna Campos Gravenhorst, Benton Park West

Benton Park West Neighborhood Association

The Benton Park West Neighborhood Association was founded in 1998. Their mission is to enhance and strengthen the neighborhood and its residents by promoting safety, beautification, local organizations, communication, and diversity. The focus of the organization is to advocate for the recognition, renewal, and sustainability of Benton Park West's unique human and physical resources, to serve as a voice for the neighborhood, and to help ensure quality living. Neighborhood meetings are held at 7 PM on the third Thursday of each month, except December. For more information on the BPWNA and neighborhood in general, visit their website.