Architectural Wonders of St. Louis

St. Louis has long been lauded by critics and visitors alike for the amazing buildings and structures located throughout the city. By taking an architectural sightseeing tour you will be able to visit some of the structures that are most well known and beautiful. These sites range from the historic to the modern, with many buildings in between.

Grant's Farm House
This home, named "Hardscrabble" may not look like much from the outside, but its historical significance is unparalleled. This home was built by President Ulysses S. Grant and is the only structure built by a President still standing today. The rough cabin features four rooms on two floors and was occupied by Ulysses and his wife Julia Dent. Outside the cabin a fence was constructed with 2,563 rifle barrels from the Civil War as a memorial.

Tower Grove Park Neighborhood
Walking or driving through the Tower Grove Park neighborhood is a lesson in several architectural styles. The neighborhood was founded during the Victorian era of the late 1800s and displays several homes common during that time period. With homes dating from 1870 to 1950 the different architectural styles are a marvel to look at. Most of the homes were built with brick, giving the neighborhood a stately appearance. Adjacent to most of the homes is Tower Grove Park, a 19th century walking park featuring many beautiful walking paths and statuary.

St. Louis Hills Neighborhood
The whimsical homes in The Hills neighborhood are amazingly beautiful and exciting to look at. Most of the homes here were built in the 1930s and 1940s and range from "gingerbread" houses to a more modern ranch style of home. There is also a range of homes featuring abundant architectural features. Some of these include stained glass, fabulous stonework, and ornamental bricking.

Wainwright Building
Most see the Wainwright Building as beautiful and historic, yes, but that is all. What is seldom known is the thought and planning that went into building this structure. The architects, mainly Louis H. Sullivan wanted to buck tradition by not using a general European form of architecture. They settled on designing a building with hints of Richardsonian Romanesque qualities with an all steel frame and red brick exterior. Construction took place between 1890 and 1891, and when completed, the 10 story Wainwright Building was one of the largest skyscrapers in the United States.

The Old Cathedral
One of the most beautiful structures in all of St. Louis is the Old Cathedral Basilica. This Catholic church was built in 1834 and still holds Mass daily. This was the first cathedral built West of the Mississippi River and was built in the Greek Revival style. Inside the cathedral are several amazing works of art dating back hundreds of years. There is also a museum located adjacent to the church which holds artifacts and relics of St. Louis' early Catholic days.