Ah, Kirkwood! A community of older stately homes and a mix of smaller homes, quickly being bought up strictly for the land & building of new homes. It's tough to find a first time home buyer home here as the prices are typically higher than average. Think LOCATION!A friendly older community that has lots of charm.  Kirkwood will be a destination that you won't want to pass up! It was established in 1853 and was the first planned suburb west of the Mississippi. Stop by to see the train station (still functioning!) and while there, get a custard at the ice cream stand. Great places to get a bite to eat, fun parks (over 300 acres of park land), ice rink, ball fields, tennis courts, and playground areas, Kirkwood has a lot to offer! I love to visit the charming shops that dot this area. Sunday past, I happened to visit a Sculpture park at Maryhurst's Rooster Gallery.

While I was taking photos, the artist happened by and we discussed his work. This is just a sampling of what you can see. After talking awhile, he informed me that my uncle was buried there in the adjoining park-like area. Sure enough, after he'd left, I went over to find my uncle's gravesite, which I located. I had attended the funeral in 1968, but we had not been allowed to go to the gravesite and I never knew where he had been buried. The cemetary is small and consists of Brothers and priests (my uncle had been Provincial at Chaminade) that had taken the vow of poverty and service to others.  Besides the exterior scuptures, there are two galleries that you can view (closed on Sundays).

On a clear day at Geyer and Big Bend, by the railroad tracks, you can see the Gateway Arch as you look down the tracks! How cool is that!

Kirkwood school district serves all or a part of 7 other nearby suburban communites. More than 62% of Kirkwood's high school graduates entered a four year college or university, compared to the state average of 38.7%.  

Just sitting here thinking about all the great things about our area that I can't wait to tell you about.

You know, to give you a reason to come visit and maybe even think about moving here. Right away, the Gateway Arch pops into my head! Did you know its 630 feet high? Did you know it reflects so many colors at night. I couldn't believe it when I was checking some facts to see how old it is either! FORTY-ONE years old as of this year (2006)! Wow, where has the time gone? I still remember seeing films of  them building on the tv. If you haven't been in our town to visit this icon, please make an effort to do it. Take a ride up inside or just take some lovely photos of it. It was designed by Eero Saarinen an architect from Finland. If you'd like more information on him or the Arch check out this site: http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Gateway_Arch.html    By the way, there's a wonderful museum at Lacledes Landing  http://www.360stlouis.com/lacledeslanding/index2.htm, UNDER the Arch, to visit, if you just don't like heights!  Did I mention, we're a kid-friendly town?

AND...if you want to hear Blues music, check out....Blues On The Mississippi! http://www.stlblues.net/BluMiss.html