Fountain Park Plaza

Fountain Park Plaza, which now graces Park Avenue, was a few years ago on urban blight. The large brick structure just south of the Plaza operated from the 1890s through the 1990s as a factory producing various industrial products. The last tenant, "Western Wire," manufactured chain link wire fence. 1804 Park Avenue, where this sign is located, was used by Prott Brothers, a commercial stripping company.

Prior to the early 1970s, the entire Lafayette Park neighborhood survived in an abandoned and deteriorated state. Just south of the park, many more grand structures fell to the mass destruction for the construction of Interstate 44.

In the late 1960s the first young "urban pioneers" began purchasing homes. The young enthusiasts organized to create the Lafayette Square Restoration Committee.

Their united lobbying efforts were successful in convincing the City of St. Louis to recognize the historic and architectural uniqueness of Lafayette Square. In 1972 Lafayette Square was the city's first historic district. In 1973 Lafayette Square was honored with placement on the National Register of Historic Places.

A few long-term residents refused to abandon Lafayette Square at the depths of its depression. Those 100 plus "Urban Pioneer" families by 1974 had ventured a stake in Lafayette Square. Their



perseverance was a refusal to accept failure, and indeed, a "new community" rose through the process.

Photo caption:
The former 1804 Park Avenue buildings

WELCOME TO LAFAYETTE SQUARE.

"The restoration of Lafayette Square will demonstrate that central-city blight can be reversed, and through proper planning many urban neighborhoods can once again become attractive and vital."

Stephen J. Raiche, 1974
Research Historian for Missouri State Historical Survey

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1876 Lafayette Park Music Pavilion
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Al MacInnis
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