This blog was updated in 2017 to include updated Census data and additions of the Grow exhibit at the Science Center, redo of the Swedish National Society building to a Subway and links to Compton Drew blog.
Kings Oak is a small south St. Louis neighborhood bound by Oakland Avenue on the north, Manchester Avenue on the south, Kingshighway Boulevard on the east and Macklind Avenue on the west. It takes it name from the first syllables of both Kingshighway and Oakland.
Kings Oak is a highly visible neighborhood, as it can be seen just south of I-64, across from Forest Park's baseball fields and horse stables; and it's eastern border is visible on the heavily travelled Kingshighway Blvd. Several easily recognizable institutions (St. Louis University High, St. Louis Science Center and Compton Drew Investigative Learning School) anchor the neighborhood.
As you can see in the map, this is not a very residential neighborhood, although 243 people call Kings Oak home. That's a 43% decrease in population from 1990 to 2000. Of those counted, 50% are black, 43% white, 4% Hispanic/Latino and 3% Asian. There were 113 total housing units, 89% of which are occupied, 59% of which are owned vs. 41% rented. My guess would be most of the decrease in population would be from housing demolitions to accommodate light industry, distribution businesses and expansion of St. Louis University High School. The housing that I was able to find was isolated to Wise, Hereford, Lawn and Berthold on the east side of the neighborhood. I didn't see 113 housing units, but maybe I missed some, as it's hard to enter the interior of the neighborhood since most of Kings Oak is distribution services, warehouses, wholesale suppliers and light industrial buildings.
The 2010 Census data was even worse for Kings Oak, as a 26% drop in population was observed. The neighborhood is down to 188 residents, 55% white, 39% black, 4% Hispanic/Latino and 2% Asian (source).
The 2020 Census counted 167, a decline of 7%. Racially, it is 61% white, 31% Black and 6% 2+ races. 10 housing units were lost with a 67% occupancy rate.
The neighborhood website is pretty uninformative. Maybe an upgrade of the KO website could be a good project for the students of SLU-High to include some history, demographics and other useful information.
As I previously mentioned, Kings Oak is home to some of St. Louis' most recognized institutions: the Science Center and the beautiful campus of St. Louis University High School which was established in 1818:
The Science Center recently upgraded the exterior exhibit just west of the main building. It is called Grow - Explore the Journey of Food. It is absolutely awesome and is complete with a beer garden.
St. Louis University High:
The Compton Drew Investigative Learning Center is a grades six through eight magnet school with an emphasis on science, technology and math in the St. Louis Public School system.
The housing that does exist here is quite attractive.
What is the style of these arts and crafts homes? I call them barn houses, and I really like them. I'm not alone, many call these "barn houses" but they are technically in the Dutch Colonial Revival style:
How about these cool angled entry doors:
Many old St. Louis homes still have the coal chutes in place:
This could be a prime potters studio complete with open-air front patio for raku firing/glazing (this suggestion is directed to my better half, the ceramist):
Also present is the Swedish National Society building erected in 1913, now housing an African hair braider's salon. You've probably seen this right along Kingshighway just north of Manchester.
This building was recently renovated into a Subway and office use:
Kings Oak contains the Carol Gates Throop pet memorial park which is located along Macklind directly across the Humane Society. There are memorial hand and paw prints of the people, corporations and organizations that helped dedicate this park. There are brick paver stones that you can purchase to commemorate your beloved pet. And then there is the Vietnam Wall like monument (columbarium) where you can store your pets ashes. This one below is from former mayor and fire chief Clarence Harmon, his wife and pet Jo Jo:
There are some really cool light industry and warehousing buildings mixed in with the not so attractive contemporary metal shed structures. Here are some of the cooler ones:
Former Vestal Chemical Company, now self storage warehouse:
The former Koch Air mod building now vacated and owned by the St. Louis Science Center:
On to the next part of town....
***In February, 2020 I revisited the neighborhood and the following includes updated commentary and photos.***
Misses On Original Tour
Not too much, really. This is such a small neighborhood with so many cut off streets and gated off institutions, it’s really hard to miss anything. I didn’t speak to the massive amounts of gates and other blockages to keep people out. It’s an unwelcoming vibe.
The homes that exist along Kingshighway and the northeastern streets are true beauties, just a bit disconnected due to SLUH’s fences. There is obvious investment and upkeep here, including exterior landscaping. This positivity is most noticeable on Lawn Place and Berthold.
The homes on Wise are nice as well, but there are a couple abandoned board ups and empty lots.
Other misses were the horrible photos I took of some of the details, so I hope to rectify that.
And, while technically not in Kings Oak, nor Central West End, but kind of on it’s own is the rare underground mid-Century structure, built into the side of a highway easement that currently houses the city’s Communications Division, including STL TV. Is there another underground building in the city?
Noticeable Changes
SLU High built an additional suburban looking building and of course gated it off.
They also partnered with Gateway Greening on a nice community garden. Sadly this came at the expense of two homes that were demo’d for the suburban looking SLUH building and the garden.
Backer Youth Garden
While I’m hesitant to mention specific businesses as they come and go, there is now a microbrewery, Modern Brewing, in the neighborhood. And a quite impressive restaurant called Bloom Cafe along Oakland that is a social enterprise of Paraquad, The Disability Experts, designed to help people with disabilities prepare for employment.
The connectivity to Forest Par has improved with a tunnel under I-64.
What Are The Future Needs?
Connections, remove the fences. The light industrial along Macklind and Manchester has improved in some areas, not in others. It would be good to see both the fading beauties and the more suburban buildings along Manchester find new life.
Additional St. Louis City Talk Reading on Kings Oak
SPRING FEVER BASEBALL EDITION - STAN MUSIAL AND BIGGIE'S RESTAURANTS
