Bellefontaine Neighbors





Interstate 270 is the semi-visible red line at the top of the map





History:

[This thread has been written to reflect the historical roots of the Cold Water Creek area where Methodism has played a major role just like Catholicism has in St. Louis, St. Charles, Washington, Hermann, etc… ]



President Thomas Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the Louisiana Purchase and he commissioned for Fort Belle Fontaine (Fort Bellefontaine) to be built to protect the territory overlooking the Missouri River several miles west of its confluence with the Mississippi River. Bellefontaine comes from the French word for “beautiful fountain.” In 1809 the fort had fallen into disrepair and the U.S. government sent General Daniel Bissell (Connecticut born) who rebuilt the fort on the bluffs. He acquired land from Parker Rd on the north to Chambers on the south and Bellefontaine Rd on the east to Lewis Clark Blvd. on the west. In 1826 Fort Belle Fontaine was closed and moved Jefferson Barracks which nearly replaced West Point as the number one military training school. The Bissell’s built a mansion located at 10025 Bellefontaine Road and named their land holdings “Franklinville Farm.” The family has been actively involved with the church since General Bissell’s son joined and a major supporting family thereafter. The history of what is known as Bellefontaine Neighbors begins with people gathering to study the Bible in peoples’ homes and the teachings of John Wesley in a place called Cold Water Creek Settlement. According to records in 1809 the church had 75 attending members. The circuit rider minister for the Bellefontaine Methodist church was John Clark who traveled from Illinois and left soon enough before a soldier sent from the Spanish governor could arrest him for not preaching Catholicism. For religious history buffs, John Clark may be the first Methodist preacher in Missouri. [“A Church in the Wildwood” by Barbara L. Kay, 2005].



In 1950, Bellefontaine had 763 people, but in 1960 that number exploded to 13,650 and a village of Cold Water Creek became a city named Bellefontaine Neighbors. It began as a collection of Methodist farmers and became a city with three Catholic churches. BN was not alone as Berkley, Overland, Jennings, Florissant, Ferguson, St. Ann, and Bridgeton all grew by leaps and bounds. The North was not alone as Brentwood, Crestwood, Webster Groves, and Kirkwood also rapidly grew. The city was built as a bedroom community and remains starkly residential with limited shopping (shopping malls were in Jennings). [Paraphrased from James Neal Primm’s Lion of the Valley page 478].



Demographics:

Today the City is home to 11,271 people according to Census 2000 where 17.7% of the people are age 65 and older as opposed to the National 12.4%. The city has integrated where 53.7% are white, 44.4% African American, 121 or 1.1% two or more races, and 76 or 0.7% Hispanic. The owner-occupied housing rate is 91% which is far higher than the National 66.2%. However, barriers do exist such as Hwy. 367 which separates areas east with 40% minority populations from areas south and west at 80-90% minority population. As our nation becomes increasingly diverse I hope more places become open to diversity, that divisions are mended and we begin to breakdown barriers.



The United Methodist Church is one place in need of these changes and Bellefontaine UMC is a living multicultural church and a model statewide for other UMC’s on how to integrate.



Bellefontaine United Methodist Church, built between 1852-1854 in the Greek Revival style.

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1964-1965 new sanctuary building

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Neighborhood

Old Rural House

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Country Estates along the Bellefontaine streetcar route dating to the 1920s

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1950s Suburbia beginning with brick and stone Ranch houses

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Brick Ranch houses were followed by wood sided ranches

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Round mid-rise hotel and ye olde’ shopping center

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Jennings, built up (supposedly) in the 1950s, found a field to develop with the return of suburbanism along Hwy. 367

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This is understandable that a “renaissance” of North County equates to replacing Northland Shopping Mall with a brand new strip center (Target, Schnucks, etc..) and replaced Crossroads Mall with new subdivisions named Alexandria (various endings). Suburbia and its history are strong in North County and the region regardless of the “urban lifestyle” trend. For some it is a renaissance, but for others it is a mere replacement of what was a deteriorating front door that should have been replaced years ago like Northwest Plaza should be replaced today (urban village?). The true renaissance is in people’s attitudes, mannerisms, and willingness to compromise and cooperate. I am referring to our fragmentation which is akin to aldermen (and women) running their wards like little cities as if they were a dictator. Building new houses does not solve the problem or cause people to address a lack of community & civic engagement which are necessary in a democracy. I believe we are citizens and not just temporary residents.



p.s. Hwy. 367 from Alton to Riverview Circle at St. Louis City limits is a fast four lane divided roadway for quick and easy travel

Thanks for this interesting tour. Some of these homes are beautiful. Even the modest houses have a certain charm and look comfy. How does this area relate to Riverview, the riverfront neighborhood to the east? The Methodist history is interesting. It makes me think of some of my favorite New Jersey shore towns that were first started by Methodist.

This is where I grew up. In a suburban ranch that was only 1/2 a mile from the bluffs, [the bluffs] what was once beautiful scenic forests and hills is now occupied by quarter-of-a-million dollar St. Peter's like properties....sad, its a pity. Your not doing anything better for the land, just tearing down one ugly house to be replaced by a much uglier and more expensive house.



I grew up on Arrowpoint. Going to Google Earth, I can still see the ring of dead grass left from the circular pop-up pool that so many of us had. Something you didn't capture in your camera that'd of been nice is the old roads they have, concrete with tar lines, I remember the sound of driving there (bump, smooth, bump, smooth, bump), you'd always know when you were in Bellefontaine.



I believe the second Cecil Wittickers (spelling?) was just down the street from there.



You should of taken some pictures of Clock-Tower, or Fort Bellefontaine.

Nice tour. They should have never stopped using brick. Has anybody ever been to that rooftop restaurant? Must have some impressive views from up there.

Wonderful work, SMS....thank you much!