St. Louis Hidden History Walking Tour

Join a local historian as they unironically butcher the French language as only a native St. Louisan can, while telling the complex, chaotic and often unjust history of St. Louis through the hidden rollercoaster history of its most populous neighborhood. From its pastoral beginnings to the Gilded Age - from Prohibition to Depression - from epicenter of society to party central to den of vice and back again; the artifacts of its complicated history remain visible to the naked eye if you just know where to look.
Discover why this beautiful turn-of-the-century neighborhood was named one of the “Great Places in America”, and hear the forgotten (and often unsavory) history and epic struggles that kept the CWE alive as much of the city decayed around it. Enjoy a few laughs and a tiny bit of exercise as you hopefully fall in love with the neighborhood we love to call home.

Meeting Point

Washington Avenue & North Euclid Avenue

Washington Ave & N Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA

Meet your tour guide in front of Evangeline's Bistro at the corner of Washington Blvd & Euclid Ave. Look for the CWE Tours sign. Public parking lot is available on Euclid just south of the meeting point.

What to expect:

Duration: 3 hours

Holy Corners District

400-600 North Kings Highway Blvd, , Saint Louis, 63108, Missouri

We're off to see some of the most impressive architecture from the World's Fair era that still remains, and it's completely outside of Forest Park. Hear hidden history and see artifacts from the early days of this "Valley of the Giants" listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Pass by without stopping

The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza St. Louis

212 Kingshighway Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA

Maryland Plaza and the surrounding homes and businesses have a rollercoaster history of booms and busts that have followed the arc of our city and the nation.

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St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

4967 Forest Park Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA

St. Louis is a city built by immigrants who struggled through famine, political upheaval and religious prosecution to carry forth culture and traditions that now are indelibly imprinted into the fabric of this city.

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Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis

4431 Lindell Blvd, at Newstead Ave, Saint Louis, 63108-2403, Missouri

St. Louis' European chapter began with the settlement of French Catholics, bolstered by the arrival of thousands of Irish Catholics throughout the 19th century. One can barely speak of any element of the history of St. Louis where the presence of the Catholic community was not felt, and the enormity of St. Louis' importance to the church was eventually made manifest in one of the great churches of the western world.

Pass by without stopping