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Damian Gerard Realty Group13615 Mason Meadows
St. Louis, MO 63131
Phone: (314) 614-4377
Des Peres
The French name "Des Peres" seems an unlikely name for a city settled largely by German immigrants and southerners from Virginia. However, the name was indelibly attached to the area long before the Town of Des Peres was formed in 1934.
Missionary Settlement
In 1701, a group of Jesuit missionaries established a settlement on the banks of the Mississippi River near the mouth of the Des Peres River. The name "Des Peres," which means "of the fathers,” traces its origins back to that early settlement.
The River Des Peres of the earlier days was not what we know it today but consisted of the main channel and all of its minor tributaries including what are known today as Deer Creek and Two Mile Creek, which flow through Des Peres. To the trappers and hunters who followed the course of the river and to the early settlers, this broad watershed was referred to as Des Peres.
Early Uses of "Des Peres"
The name "Des Peres" can be traced back through many uses including:
Common Reference
The name was widely used before 1900, and Des Peres was commonly referred to describe the area long before its incorporation in 1934. The attorney who prepared the petition to incorporate recalled that no serious discussion was given to any other name since the town was already known as Des Peres.
Missionary Settlement
In 1701, a group of Jesuit missionaries established a settlement on the banks of the Mississippi River near the mouth of the Des Peres River. The name "Des Peres," which means "of the fathers,” traces its origins back to that early settlement.
The River Des Peres of the earlier days was not what we know it today but consisted of the main channel and all of its minor tributaries including what are known today as Deer Creek and Two Mile Creek, which flow through Des Peres. To the trappers and hunters who followed the course of the river and to the early settlers, this broad watershed was referred to as Des Peres.
Early Uses of "Des Peres"
The name "Des Peres" can be traced back through many uses including:
- The establishment of the Des Peres Presbyterian Church in the early 1830s
- The German Evangelical Congregation of the River Des Peres in 1838 (now known as St. Paul's Lutheran of Des Peres)
- The Des Peres Post Office in 1848
- The Des Peres Law & Order Society during the Civil War and the Des Peres Elementary School in 1892
Common Reference
The name was widely used before 1900, and Des Peres was commonly referred to describe the area long before its incorporation in 1934. The attorney who prepared the petition to incorporate recalled that no serious discussion was given to any other name since the town was already known as Des Peres.
German Influence
Early settlers were largely German immigrants who came to the Midwest by way of Virginia and the Carolinas. The population was essentially farmers who settled on 80-160 acre tracts of land sold off by the U.S. Government.
Greenhouse Tradition
The German immigrants brought with them a love of flowers that influenced the beginning of the floral industry in Des Peres. That strong influence remains today with the presence of the Tomasovic and Eckelmann greenhouses.
Recent years have seen the loss of the Deutschmann Greenhouses to commercial development (Olympic Oaks Shopping Center), and the Meier Greenhouses to residential development (Countryside Subdivision).
The Civil War & A Midwest Orphanage
An outgrowth of the Civil War caused a substantial increase in the number of homeless children in the Midwest. This need fostered the start of a special ministry for the Lutheran Church and resulted in establishment of the German Lutheran Orphans Home shortly after the Civil War at the corner of Manchester and Ballas Roads.
Tragically, a fire destroyed that home in 1935 and, despite the depression, was rebuilt with donations at a cost of $155,000. That building stands today as the Des Peres City Hall purchased by Des Peres in 1963 after closure of the Orphanage in 1996.
Through the years, the home served 2,366 children, many of whom chose to settle in Des Peres. A relief by Sigfried Reinhardt, commissioned by the Lutheran Children and Family Services, hangs today in Des Peres City Hall to commemorate that history.
Greenhouse Tradition
The German immigrants brought with them a love of flowers that influenced the beginning of the floral industry in Des Peres. That strong influence remains today with the presence of the Tomasovic and Eckelmann greenhouses.
Recent years have seen the loss of the Deutschmann Greenhouses to commercial development (Olympic Oaks Shopping Center), and the Meier Greenhouses to residential development (Countryside Subdivision).
The Civil War & A Midwest Orphanage
An outgrowth of the Civil War caused a substantial increase in the number of homeless children in the Midwest. This need fostered the start of a special ministry for the Lutheran Church and resulted in establishment of the German Lutheran Orphans Home shortly after the Civil War at the corner of Manchester and Ballas Roads.
Tragically, a fire destroyed that home in 1935 and, despite the depression, was rebuilt with donations at a cost of $155,000. That building stands today as the Des Peres City Hall purchased by Des Peres in 1963 after closure of the Orphanage in 1996.
Through the years, the home served 2,366 children, many of whom chose to settle in Des Peres. A relief by Sigfried Reinhardt, commissioned by the Lutheran Children and Family Services, hangs today in Des Peres City Hall to commemorate that history.
Over 100 Acres of Parkland
Des Peres is also extremely proud of its parks & recreation systems, which feature six locations and over 100 acres of parkland.
The Crown Jewel: Des Peres Park
Des Peres Park, former home of the Lutheran Orphanage, is the crown jewel of the park system:
Other Parks:
Community Center - The Lodge
In August 2000, the City obtained overwhelming voter approval (75 percent) for issuance of general obligation bonds for construction of a Des Peres Community Center.
Located at 1050 Des Peres Road, The Lodge is a 74,000 square-foot community center featuring:
The Crown Jewel: Des Peres Park
Des Peres Park, former home of the Lutheran Orphanage, is the crown jewel of the park system:
- 40-plus acres of manicured lawn areas
- A two-acre lake
- Picnic pavilion
- One-mile long jogging track
- Tennis courts
- Athletic fields
Other Parks:
Community Center - The Lodge
In August 2000, the City obtained overwhelming voter approval (75 percent) for issuance of general obligation bonds for construction of a Des Peres Community Center.
Located at 1050 Des Peres Road, The Lodge is a 74,000 square-foot community center featuring:
- A gymnasium with elevated running track
- A fitness center
- Meeting rooms
Des Peres is served by both the Parkway and Kirkwood school districts. Private schools include St Paul's Lutheran, St Clements of Rome and St Gerard Majella.