Book Description

Lafayette Square is the most significant historical neighborhood in city of St. Louis. Surrounding Lafayette Park-the city's first park- neighborhood's development began earnest in the 1850s. Due to the exuberance and passion of its residents, the neighborhood has remained largely intact, surviving blight, deterioration, and neglect during the mid-twentieth century. Lafayette Square: St. Louis analyzes the importance of the neighborhood through a variety of essays that document its history, architecture, and revitalization. The book's focus is the printing of Architect John Albury Bryan's historical essay on Lafayette Square. Accompanying the essay is a brief biography of Bryan, as well as a bibliography of his writings. Other highlights include a 1969 architectural survey the neighborhood; National Register of Historic Places Nomination, written by Mary M. Stiritz; and an essay on restoration of Lafayette Square.