Clifton Heights Directory 2024

14 2024 | Clifton Heights-Clayton-Tamm Community Directory Franz Park Facebook: Franz Park Neighborhood Boundaries: Dale Avenue on the north and east, Manchester Avenue on the south and the city limits on the west. History: Franz Park grew with the other Dogtown neighborhoods—Clayton-Tamm and Hi-Pointe—in the mid-1800s, with the advent of the clay mines. Railroads and then the 1904 World’s Fair enticed even more people to move to Franz Park including immigrants from Ireland, Italy, Germany, and Poland who came to work in the mines. Firebrick was a growing industry in St. Louis and employed most of the residents who built homes around the industrial locations. As a result of the piecemeal way in which the houses were built, a variety of architectural styles exist in the area. By the end of World War II, the mines had closed and subdivisions had been built on the old sites, but the strong working-class communities remained. So how did the neighborhood get its name? In 1915 Sophia D. Franz gave 5.3 acres to the city in honor of her husband, Ehrhardt D. Franz, with the stipulation that it be used for a park and playground. Ehrhardt was a wholesale merchandiser who came to the United States in 1854, and after accumulating some wealth, moved his family to St. Louis in 1871. Their house on 6730 Mitchell Ave. is now a tennis court. Though they no longer live locally, the Franz family is still supportive of the neighborhood today. Source: stlouis-mo.gov and Franz Park Community Association