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R W D A IL T RO T Y ON D LA R C H O 22 F O N R E S S E S C Pond Athletic O R E Association E K ELLISVILLE 109 R FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMUNITY O A PARK D 100 3 MANCHESTE R RO S AD Old Pond T. AL School & Park BANS RO Bethel Church 17 24 AD 2 21 Grover Wildwood Municipal Big Chief Roadhouse Pond 8 Building Metro West 27 Melrose Fire Protection 25 M Imogene’s AD 28 E RO LR E O AT BALLWIN S 10 T E S D R L D O O A 23 A ROCKWOODS D RESERVATION O Rock Hollow 31 R S Trail D B O O O U W R Q IDG D U LaSalle E R A E O RO T Retreat Center ROCK HOLLOW A UL RO E ROAD 29 D A A Hollow ROS VALLEY P D L 7 T. 30 E S M 18 11 Stovall’s Grove 109 Glencoe BLUFF VIEW 100 13 PARK & TRAIL Wildwood Historical Society 19 4 12 15 Al Foster Memorial Trail Equine Assisted Therapy Wabash, Frisco Fox Creek H & Paci c RailRoad E 5 ME N RAM C 6 EC K HIDDEN R E GREENSFELDER I V N COUNTY PARK VALLEY D ER A A R LL O E O 20 A N R D T T Marianist O L A Retreat Center N R OAD 26 F 14 O X 9

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1 12 Wabash, Frisco and Pacific (WF&P) Railroad 23 Rock Hollow Trail 2 Big Chief Roadhouse 13 Wildwood Historical Society (WHS) 24 Wildwood Municipal Building 3 Community Park-Wildwood 14 The Wyman Center (Camp Wyman) 25 Wildwood’s Original City Hall - Imogene’s Tea Room 4 Equine Assisted Therapy (E.A.T.) 15 Al Foster Memorial Trail 26 Alt Road 5 16 Anniversary Park 27 Historic Route 66 (Manchester Road) 6 Hidden Valley Ski Resort 17 Bethel Church 28 Old State Road 7 LaSalle Retreat and Conference Center 18 Bluff View Park & Trail 29 Ridge Road 8 Metro West Fire Protection Headquarters 19 Glencoe City Park 30 St. Paul Road 9 Rockwoods Range 20 Marianist Retreat Center 31 Woods Road 10 21 Old Pond School & Park 11 Stovall’s Grove 22 Pond Athletic Association WILDWOOD POINTS OF INTEREST [A continuation from the 25 Points of Interest identified in 2015-2016]

1 BABLER STATE PARK 26 ALT ROAD 29 RIDGE ROAD 800 Guy Park Drive, Wildwood, MO 63005, #: (636) 458-3813 Alt Avenue was originally an extension of Old State Road, making up the This scenic byway is aptly named, traveling along the ridge line south of the https://mostateparks.com/park/dr-edmund-babler-memorial-state-park eight-road thoroughfare of the St. Louis-Spring eld State Road. Near this historic State Road, now referred to as Old State Road. From this intersection intersection is situated the vibrant and massive La Salle Institute, founded in 1872 located in the City of Ellisville, Ridge Road extends into and through the 2 BIG CHIEF ROADHOUSE by the Catholic Protectorate for orphaned children, after a cholera epidemic in St. southeast quadrant of Wildwood. A small parking area and trailhead to the 17352 Manchester Rd., Wildwood, MO 63038, #: (636) 458-3200 Louis City. The Christian Brothers took charge of the institute in 1876, by invitation Rock Hollow Trail is situated at the Ridge Meadows Elementary School. This http://www.bigchiefstl.com/ from Archbishop Kenrick. The prominent hilltop property was originally acquired 245-acre recreational area, with an astounding 200-feet of relief, was original- by Ninian Hamilton from a 640-acre Spanish land grant in 1803, which was ly platted as Quail Hollow Subdivision utilizing Lawler Ford Road, which is 3 COMMUNITY PARK-WILDWOOD ultimately listed as Survey 766 of Missouri Land Records in 1818. The division depicted upon the 1878 Meramec Township Map. 2153 State Route 109, Wilwood, MO 63038, #: (636) 458-0440 between Old State and Alt Roads became more apparent with the construction of http://www.cityofwildwood.com State Route 109 in the 1930’s, when the highway’s original alignment would have The Rock Hollow Trail, a well-maintained 2.3-mile asphalt surface, with 13 greatly devastated the property, carving it in half! But thanks to Brother Octavian, timber-built bridges, is known to locals as Zombie Road, having quite a 4 EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY (E.A.T.) who was skilled in land surveying, he convinced the State ocials to shift the history with paranormal groups citing anomalies, such as shadow gures and 3369 State Route 109, Wildwood, MO 63038, #: (314) 971-0605 proposed route to the west. The institute’s name comes from the spring that still unexplained fog, mist, and orbs! If you dare to hike the trail south, it will take http://eatherapy.org/ ows today, although a large part of its waterway was channeled underground in you to Al Foster Memorial Trail (AFMT), which is then a short 1-mile hike west the early 1990’s [below the LaSalle Springs Middle School’s ball elds]. to the community of Glencoe, or 2 miles east along the AFMT, you will arrive 5 GREENSFELDER COUNTY PARK at Sherman Beach’s trailhead, parking area, and access to the . 4515 Hencken Road, Wildwood, MO 63069 Part of the main thoroughfare, from Market Street [Historic Route 66], at The Rock Hollow Recreational Area also sports a natural surface, single-track http://stlouisco.com/ParksandRecreation/ParkPages/Greensfelder Wildwood’s eastern fringe, travelers could head south toward present-day Eureka trail for users of all interests, even equestrian! This loop trail circles back west, along Old State and Alt Avenue, which followed the hills and high ground all the paralleling AFMT, then north through a series of switchbacks to Blu View 6 HIDDEN VALLEY SKI RESORT way to the lead mines in Richwoods, Missouri. Midway along this route was Forby Park – be sure to take in the breathtaking view over the Crescent Valley, just 17049 Hidden Valley Drive, Wildwood, MO 63025, #: (636) 938-5373 Road and, at its terminus, Camp Wyman. This major recreational destination got short of the trailhead, which is accessed by Old State Road, approximately 4 http://hiddenvalleyski.com/ its start in 1897, as a summer retreat for St. Louis City children. Alt Avenue’s miles south of Ridge Road. connection to Allenton Road, via Forby Road, no longer exists, but the camp is still 7 LASALLE RETREAT CENTER there today, now called Wyman Center. It sprawls over 250 acres in southern Ridge Road continues south-southeast and joins St. Paul Road, the next in this 2101 Rue De LaSalle, Wildwood, MO 63038, #: (636) 938-5374 Wildwood, surrounded mostly by Greensfelder County Park and Hidden Valley Ski year’s series of the City’s scenic byways. http://www.lasalleretreat.org/home.html Resort.

8 METRO WEST FIRE PROTECTION DIST. HQ Hidden Valley Ski Resort is another gem along historic Alt Avenue, now known as 30 ST. PAUL ROAD 17065 Manchester Road, Wildwood, MO 63040, #: (636) 458-2100 Alt Road. Once a ski and golf resort that operated year-round, today it consists of It is speculated that St. Paul Road was named after a parish settlement that http://www.metrowest- re.org/ downhill skiing and tubing. Prior to this recreational facility’s existence over the contained a post oce, train depot, a one-room church-schoolhouse, and a past thirty-four (34) years, it was used as a chicken ranch, since locals knew it was saw mill, all of which are depicted upon the 1878 Meramec Township map as 9 ROCKWOODS RANGE too hilly to farm. Atop Hidden Valley’s mountain, it presents a wonderful St. Paul or Lewisburgh. This hamlet is split east/west on the boundary of the Parking areas - 5035 Fox Creek Road and 4360 Fox Creek Road, opportunity to view the Meramec Valley and, on a clear day, one can see the St. Meramec and Bonhomme Townships. Beginning at its intersection with Wildwood, MO 63069 Louis Gateway Arch! Kiefer Creek Road, St. Paul Road travels along the eastern-most boundary of https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/rockwoods-range Wildwood. This unincorporated area, encompassing just over a square mile, was annexed into the City in 2001. St. Paul Road continues south then east, 10 ROCKWOODS RESERVATION 27 HISTORIC ROUTE 66-THE MOTHER ROAD just before ending at the Meramec River at Sherman Beach – an early 1920’s 2751 Glencoe Road, Wildwood, MO 63038, #: (636) 458-2236 No other road elicits such feelings as Route 66. This road, designated by the United river town known as the Palisades on the Meramec. These villages sprung up https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/rockwoods-reservation States Congress in 1926, remains an icon now almost eighty- ve (85) years later. almost overnight, with housing on tiny plots, and were the result of hundreds The roadway's number designation, chosen in Spring eld, Missouri on April 30th, of St. Louis City residents, wanting to escape the heat of downtown, coming 11 STOVALL’S GROVE was changed from a “U.S.” highway in 1985, but enthusiasts remain supportive of to this area to enjoy the cool and shaded river. This particular community was 18720 Stovall Lane, Wildwood, MO 63039, #: (636) 405-3024 its past role in the growth of this country, its on-going economic development eventually platted by St. Louis County in 1920, with more than two-dozen http://www.stovallsgrove.com/ potential as a tourist attraction, and the new opportunities associated with its homes still standing today; a couple of bungalows actually date back to 1910! future. The roadway extends from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, 12 WABASH, FRISCO, AND PACIFIC (WF&P) having a length of 2,448 miles, and spanning across eight (8) states. Many songs, Just beyond this town, on the north side of St. Paul Road, is Belleview Farms – RAILROAD movies, and television series have memorialized the Mother Road’s truth and a large 117-acre landholding owned by St. Louis County and leased by the 101 Grand Avenue, Wildwood, MO 63038, #: (636) 587-3538 ction. City of Wildwood for park, open space, and recreational use. The plan for its http://www.wfprr.com/ park amenities is currently under development and will be open to the public Wildwood is fortunate to have a portion of the original route located within it. The in late 2018. 13 WILDWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY (WHS) original layout is now known as Manchester Road and travels from the east end of 18750 State Route 100, Wildwood, MO 63069, #: (636) 458-2860 the City to Franklin County. The roadway, through Wildwood, has undergone Across the Meramec River are the enormous Tyson Research Park and http://www.wildwoodhistoricalsociety.org/ changes with new development, but west of State Route 109, the character Beaumont Boy Scout Reservation, and west of them, the former and remains intact and the ‘feel and vibe’ of the roadway is easy to see and appreciate. notorious Times Beach community (platted in 1925), and known today as 14 THE WYMAN CENTER (CAMP WYMAN) Through that length of road, historic buildings linger and new homes front it, . 600 Kiwanis Drive, Wildwood, MO 63025, #: (636) 938-5245 while the open spaces complement it. The setting is a postcard for all to enjoy. http://wymancenter.org Although changes to the old road (Manchester Road) have occurred east of State 31 WOODS ROAD 15 AL FOSTER MEMORIAL TRAIL Route 109, it still remains two (2) lanes and follows the previous route, but now has The earliest roads in the Wildwood Area were hardly more than pathways 225 Grand Avenue, Wildwood, MO 63038, #: (636) 458-0440 safety , improvements, street trees, street lights, and sidewalks to allow for its trodden through the trees. So aptly named, the existence of Woods Avenue http://www.cityofwildwood.com increased use. Along with these changes, the State of Missouri, in cooperation appears in documentation in the early 1800’s, with Ninian Hamilton’s 1803 with the City of Wildwood, have placed the famous signs along its route indicating Spanish land grant. Yet, it was actually named after Robert K. Woods, a 16 ANNIVERSARY PARK the Mother Road is alive and well in this community. partner in the Woods, Christy & Co. This wholesaler dealt primarily in dry 16511 Clayton Road, Wildwood, MO 63011, #: (636) 458-0440 goods in downtown St. Louis, located at 75 Main Street. Business partners http://www.cityofwildwood.com Other interesting facts about the Mother Road here in Wildwood, there are six (6) Woods & Christy formed a lumber company and logged the area. After buildings located along its length listed on the City’s Historic Registry and two (2) logging operations ceased, it is speculated they dealt in land sales of the 17 BETHEL CHURCH buildings on the National Register of Historical Places, as well as an original then-bare ground, but after a failed subdivision enterprise in 1857, the land 17500 Manchester Road, Wildwood, MO 63038, #: (636) 458-2255 section of the pavement remains from its initial designation in 1926. This section passed into the hands of the Cobb-Wright-Case Mining Company. So began http://bethelunitedmethodist.org of roadway has not been altered and been preserved on private property for over the era of limestone mining, known as the Glencoe Lime & Cement Rail nine (9) decades and now easily reects the evolution of the ‘vehicle,’ construction Operation, which bankrupted the company in 1930. 18 BLUFF VIEW PARK & TRAIL techniques, and materials over the span of time. Interestingly, the driving surface 1900 Old State Road, Wildwood, MO 63038, #: (636) 458-0440 remains almost pristine still today. Move over interstates, this road remains a gem! Woods Avenue was the main thoroughfare between the communities of http://www.cityofwildwood.com Grover and Melrose. The Rettker-Fick Store, circa 1879, which became Wildwood’s rst City Hall, being located at the southwest corner of Market 19 GLENCOE CITY PARK 28 OLD STATE ROAD Street [Historic Route 66] and Woods Avenue, with a well-known picnic spot 505 Washington Avenue, Wildwood, MO 63038, #: (636) 458-0440 Originally known as State Road, it was one (1) of eight (8) roadways that made up called Funk’s Grove. Woods Avenue wound south to connect with Melrose http://www.cityofwildwood.com the State-mandated, diagonal route to Spring eld, Missouri. This route was paid Road, and beyond was the Kreienkamp Store, circa 1860, which also served as for, in small part, by a poll tax levied in 1822, which few settlers of the area could a post oce and stagecoach stop. Both buildings remain in excellent 20 MARIANIST RETREAT CENTER pay, so “road bees” were formed -- work groups of local men and boys from each condition today, now as Imogene’s Tea House and a private residence, 4000 Highway 109, Wildwood, MO 63025, #: (636) 938-5390 community. These early roadways were built by plough and oxen, compacting respectively. http://mretreat.org dirt along the ridge-line routes of the Osage Trail and Kickapoo Trace, blazed by travelers on foot, horseback, and wagon. The centerline of the road was built up, The 1878 Meramec Township Map depicts Christy & Parks as a major 21 OLD POND SCHOOL & PARK with sloped sides, to keep it passable in the event of inclement weather. landholder. Part of this vast landholding, now Rockwoods Reservation, was 17123 Manchester Road, Wildwood, MO 63040, #: (636) 458-0440 acquired by the Missouri Conservation Commission in 1938. Through http://www.cityofwildwood.com An excerpt from Thomas Scharf’s account of St. Louis history depicts the very generous donations and the help of St. Louis businessmen, A.P. Greensfelder, native setting: "Along the south side of the township, at irregular distances from who established the St. Louis Regional Planning and Construction 22 POND ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION the Meramec River, ran the old "State road," traced by the Indians, used by the Foundation in 1939, the remainder of landholding to the south of the State’s 1725 Pond Road, Wildwood, MO 63038, #: (636) 458-9627 French hunters, trappers, and adventurers, and the Courtois, Moreau, Bitticks, holding, was donated to the County in 1963. Originally called Rockwood http://pondathletic.com Poilevres, Fortins, and Farrahs, antedating the time when the Spanish-French Park, it was renamed Greensfelder County Park in 1965. possessions became territory of . This old State Road ran in behind 23 ROCK HOLLOW TRAIL St. Paul, past the Ninian Hamilton place, now the Catholic Protectorate, north of Woods Road winds along the eastern portion of Rockwoods Reservation, now 777 Ridge Road, Wildwood, MO 63021, #: (636) 458-0440 Eureka, Allentown, and Dozier's, to Mary and Mac's, and then far beyond was the managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation. With a large tributary http://www.cityofwildwood.com key that opened up the south side of the township." of Hamilton Creek located through its 2-mile length, canopied by immense woodland, and less than two-dozen residences accessed by it, Woods Road 24 WILDWOOD MUNICIPAL BUILDING Between 1836 and 1837, the General Assembly of Missouri moved this route’s remains as rustic today, as it probably was more than a century ago, making it 16860 Main Street, Wildwood, MO 63040, #: (636) 458-0440 maintenance to the County level and construction was nally completed in 1841, a picturesque setting for its surrounding recreational use. A small parking lot http://www.cityofwildwood.com almost twenty (20) years after its commissioning. The ‘thoroughfare’ was then is situated at the northeast corner of Woods Road and State Route 109 for the called the St. Louis-Spring eld State Road. Connecting Melrose and Manchester Turkey Ridge Trailhead, which leads north in a loop. Across the avenue, 25 WILDWOOD ORIGINAL CITY HALL - Roads within the eastern quadrant of Wildwood, it would not be until the 1930’s Hamilton-Carr Greenway takes users south on a multiple-use trail that IMOGENE’S TEA ROOM before State Road was paved by the Civilian Conservation Corps [CCC]. Today, it is connects to the Al Foster Memorial Trail, Blu View Trail, Rock Hollow Trail, 16962 Manchester Road, Wildwood, MO 63040, #: (636) 273-6111 simply known as Old State Road. and, ultimately, over 10 miles to the east! http://imogenes.net

Citation Notes: City’s Historic Registry of buildings along Historic Route 66 include: Annie Rickard House, Hencken House, Kern Service Station, Old Pond School, Sources: Before It Was Wildwood: Roadside History of Western St. Louis County, Missouri, by Karen Fox, 2017 - Wildwood Historical Society, Wildwood, MO. City of Second John E. Schnarr House, and Stovall’s Grove. National Register of Historic Places include: Big Chief Dakota Grill and Old Pond School. Catholic Protectorate was Wildwood Historic Building Survey 2014-15. Route 66 in Missouri, Snider and Sheals, 2003. The History of St. Louis and St. Louis County, by Thomas J. Scharf, 1883. orphanage, which became Christian Brothers Novitiate, now LaSalle Retreat Center. Taking its name from its owners, Mary and Mac's was a legendary trading post St. Louis County Records and Revenue Information: www.stlouisco.com. Wildwood, by Jo Beck, 2009. www.paranormaltaskforce.com situated near present-day Paci c. The township refers to Meramec Township.