Tower Grove Park

Tower Grove Park was founded in 1868 by Henry Shaw, a retired merchant, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Shaw had previously established the Missouri Botanical Garden on land that was part of his country estate, located to the west of St. Louis. To expand upon this plan, he set aside another tract of land as green space outside the city for the public to enjoy, and Tower Grove Park emerged from this vision. The park is a National Historic Landmark, one of only eight parks in the U.S. to have received this special designation.

Established in 1868 and opened in 1872, Tower Grove Park is now an accredited arboretum containing a notable collection of trees and plants, in addition to several Victorian-era structures. Its founder, Henry Shaw, believed in the importance of establishing parks in or near cities for the benefit and wellbeing of the public. This late-nineteenth viewpoint was held by several other philanthropists at the time.

In Shaw's own words, parks had immeasurable value, "not only as ornaments to a great city, but as conducive to the health and happiness of its inhabitants and to the advancement of refinement and culture." Because Shaw was also interested in European culture, world travel, and classics, much of the architecture throughout the park reflects this emphasis.

The park is a National Historic Landmark, one of only eight parks in the U.S. to receive this designation. Nearly 300 acres, the landscape contains eleven Victorian pavilions that serve as picnic sites, as well as several waterlily ponds, a fountain with faux-ruins, formal gardens featuring tulips and other flowers, a park foreman's house, and historic horse stables. Along with intersecting footpaths, there is a carriage trail around the perimeter.

In 2022, Tower Grove Park celebrated its sesquicentennial (or 150th Anniversary) with a year-long celebration of special events. The calendar of events included "Love in the Park," which was held on site at the Roman Pavilion in June. Couples who had previously been engaged or married at the park were invited to renew their vows, and enjoy another 'first dance' and flower toss together.

The park also hosts outdoor movie screenings during certain times of year, and it offers public tours of historic structures, such as the horse stables and park foreman's house. In addition to being a popular destination site for marriage proposals and weddings, the park is enjoyed throughout the seasons by photographers, cyclists, walkers, joggers, birders, and people of all ages.

Recently, a master plan was approved to upgrade the park for the 21st century, while preserving its historic elements. The plan puts an emphasis on accessibility, such as a new bridge over the lily ponds, restored courts for basketball (a Victorian-era sport), and two new playgrounds. There will also be an expanded space for the open-air Saturday morning Farmers' Market, which is held near the Shakespeare statue.

History, Tower Grove Park. Accessed November 7th, 2022. https://www.towergrovepark.org/our-history-1.

Tower Grove Park Turns 150 Years Old, Gazelle Magazine. March 24th, 2022. Accessed November 7th, 2022. https://gazellemagazine.com/tower-grove-park-turns-150-years-old/.

1883 MacAdam Report, Tower Grove Park. Accessed November 7th, 2022. https://www.towergrovepark.org/macadam.

Master Plan Highlights, Tower Grove Park. Accessed November 7th, 2022. https://www.towergrovepark.org/mphighlights1.