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Sprawl in South County 20 Years Ago

In 1991 I took these three pictures somewhere in south St. Louis County. The three pics were taken from the same spot rotating from left to right.

At the time it was a new subdivision.  Note that some homes have front-facing garages while others have rear-entry garages and paved backyards.

I just wish I could remember the location so I could return. Maybe it is best I don’t know, I’m sure they lovely rolling hills in the background has now been destroyed by two decades of “progress”.  I’m also pretty sure all those new streets still lack shade trees.

– Steve Patterson

 

Currently there are "12 comments" on this Article:

  1. john w. says:

    Is that the Goodyear blimp in the sky?

     
  2. john w. says:

    Is that the Goodyear blimp in the sky?

     
  3. DoubleJ says:

    Suburban homes, particularly in the St. Louis region, are just so bland. This whole region is full of pseudo colonial homes. I wish builders would get daring and at least try some prairie, modern, and whatever else. My best guess is this is a subdivision off of Telegraph close to Jefferson County judging by the terrain. 

     
  4. DoubleJ says:

    Suburban homes, particularly in the St. Louis region, are just so bland. This whole region is full of pseudo colonial homes. I wish builders would get daring and at least try some prairie, modern, and whatever else. My best guess is this is a subdivision off of Telegraph close to Jefferson County judging by the terrain. 

     
    • samizdat says:

      Judging by many of the programs on HGTV and DIY, the entire country is plagued with these accursed tributes to the marketers’ black arts.

       
  5. Anonymous says:

    But, hey, they DO have sidewalks!  I guess that makes it a walkable subdivision 😉

     
  6. JZ71 says:

    But, hey, they DO have sidewalks!  I guess that makes it a walkable subdivision 😉

     
    • Joe Frank Ph.D. says:

      While there are occasional exceptions, since 1969 the St. Louis County Planning Commission has required sidewalks in newly platted subdivisions.  You don’t usually find sidewalks in the 1950s and 60s developments though, nor along state highways or other arterials.  If you do find sidewalks, it’s because more recent commercial development was required to install them, but along roads like Tesson Ferry or Telegraph, sidewalks are spotty at best.

       
  7. Anonymous says:

    All 3 are taken standing on Suson Hills Road, east of the intersection with Tesson Ferry/21.  Yes, the houses are bland but the terrain is specific.  I noticed a brick building on the top of the hill and remembered that is a nursing home near a home remodel job I did once.  I can see the house in the background of the second photo.

     
  8. arkiben says:

    All 3 are taken standing on Suson Hills Road, east of the intersection with Tesson Ferry/21.  Yes, the houses are bland but the terrain is specific.  I noticed a brick building on the top of the hill and remembered that is a nursing home near a home remodel job I did once.  I can see the house in the background of the second photo.

     
  9. samizdat says:

    Judging by many of the programs on HGTV and DIY, the entire country is plagued with these accursed tributes to the marketers’ black arts.

     
  10. Joe Frank Ph.D. says:

    While there are occasional exceptions, since 1969 the St. Louis County Planning Commission has required sidewalks in newly platted subdivisions.  You don’t usually find sidewalks in the 1950s and 60s developments though, nor along state highways or other arterials.  If you do find sidewalks, it’s because more recent commercial development was required to install them, but along roads like Tesson Ferry or Telegraph, sidewalks are spotty at best.

     

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