Posted by Dawn Griffin
Riverview Home, Neighborhood, & Nearby Developments
History of Riverview
The Riverview neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri, has a rich history that stretches back to the early 19th century. Originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Osage and Missouri, the area later became part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
By the mid-1800s, Riverview began to see settlement by European immigrants, primarily of German and Irish descent. The fertile land along the Mississippi River attracted farmers and agricultural workers, leading to the development of small communities and homesteads.
The neighborhood’s name, “Riverview,” reflects its prime location along the Mississippi River, offering stunning vistas of the waterway and its bustling activity. The river served as a vital transportation route for goods and people, contributing to the area’s growth and prosperity.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Riverview experienced significant industrialization, with factories and warehouses springing up along the riverfront. This industrial boom brought jobs and economic opportunities to the area, attracting more residents seeking employment in manufacturing and related industries.
In the mid-20th century, Riverview, like many urban neighborhoods, underwent demographic shifts and changes in its economic landscape. Factors such as suburbanization, deindustrialization, and racial segregation influenced the neighborhood’s evolution.
Today, Riverview is a diverse and vibrant community, home to residents of various ethnic backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses. While some industrial remnants remain, the neighborhood has also seen efforts to revitalize its riverfront and enhance its recreational amenities, such as the St. Louis Zoo’s WildCare Park which we delve into below, making it an attractive place to live and visit in St. Louis.
Homes of Riverview – 9836 Parkway Drive
We currently have a listing in the Riverview community. This 3+ bedroom, 2.5 bath home sits on two lots. Indulge in the panoramic Mississippi River views in this mini-mansion. Its elevated bluff location grants a 180-degree perspective. Inside, discover cottage charm blended with expansive rooms, including a grand living area, formal dining, and a spacious kitchen. The main level boasts two generous bedrooms, a large bath, and a large knotty pine wood-paneled mudroom/laundry room. Upstairs, find two more bedrooms, full bath, a hidden office, and storage. An extra deep 2 car garage (built for a limousine!), vast garden space, and a fire pit area add to the truly remarkable outdoor space. Enjoy a pastoral atmosphere minutes from downtown St. Louis, offering a rare blend of space and natural beauty in a once-in-a-generation opportunity. 9836 Parkway Drive is listed at $219,900. MORE INFO
New Developments in North St. Louis
St. Louis WildCare Park
World-renowned St. Louis Zoo is bringing a groundbreaking addition to its array of attractions – the St. Louis WildCare Park. Located in North County’s Spanish Lake area, the 425-acre WildCare Park will be a destination for free-roaming wildlife, conservation, and outdoor adventure for the public. Set to open as early as 2026, it will provide residents from north St. Louis County and surrounding areas, as well as tourists far and wide with the opportunity to connect with nature.
Guests will be able to participate in a fully immersive outdoor experience, consisting of a safari adventure through herds of free-roaming animals over gently rolling grassy meadows and through native forests. Those who want the ultimate outdoor experience will be able to spend the night on the property “glamping”.
Through education, research, and hands-on experiences, the park aims to inspire visitors to become stewards of the environment, advocating for the protection of our planet’s precious ecosystems. St. Louis WildCare Park endeavors to foster meaningful connections with residents, schools, and organizations through outreach programs, volunteer opportunities, and community events.
Chain of Rocks Park
Great Rivers Greenway celebrated the opening of Chain of Rocks Park in April 2024. The new park is on the Missouri side of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge and will bring people to the site on a regular basis with enhancements in safety, security, event opportunities and the facilities needed to support them.
With the help of local tax dollars, private donations and a $990,000 grant from the National Parks Service through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership programs, Great Rivers Greenway has been able to bring back life into the 16-acre outdoor space.
Included in the updates:
- Restored wetlands and woodlands to provide food and shelter for native wildlife
- New one and a half acre reconstructed prairie
- Unpaved footpath through native habitats in the prairie
- Rain gardens to reduce storm-water runoff
- Signs explaining native habitats and nature-based storm-water management
- Local artwork that reflects the Mississippi Flyway migratory route and Chain of Rocks river geology
- Food truck area with water and electricity for community events
