Central West End, St. Louis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Central West End is a distinct neighborhood in St. Louis, Missouri. The Central West End stretches from midtown's western edge to the city's western border and includes Forest Park, the third-largest urban park in the country with its outstanding array of free cultural institutions, and the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis (the New Cathedral) which houses the largest collection of mosaics in the world.

The CWE's commercial district is mainly along Euclid and stretches from Forest Park to Delmar. Restaurants are primarily clustered in the Euclid/McPherson area, the Euclid/Laclede area and in Maryland Plaza. Unusual, elaborate turn-of-the-century lamp posts and cobblestone streets add to the atmosphere of this neighborhood which first grew in popularity with the coming of the 1904 World's Fair which was held in nearby Forest Park.

Washington University is at the neighborhood's western border, and Saint Louis University is near its eastern border.

St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa lives in the neighborhood during the baseball season.^[1] Playwright Tennessee Williams grew up in the neighborhood, and the houses of noted scholars T.S. Eliot and J.W.R. Hutchison actually back up to one another. Hutchison is also known for his intensive efforts to relieve racial tensions in the area.