Tower Grove East

The Tower Grove East (TGE) Neighborhood is a strong St. Louis neighborhood rich in community spirit and architectural splendor, historical heritage and diversity. TGE is conveniently located only six miles from downtown St. Louis, near major highways and hospitals, and just east of Tower Grove Park.  Bordered on the west by South Grand Boulevard, TGE stretches from Shenandoah to Gravois.  TGE residents are within walking distances of the many restaurants on South Grand Boulevard (Grand South Grand).

History

Tower Grove East was originally part of La Petite Prairie, settled by the French in the early 1700s. By the 1850s, much of the land was owned by German Catholics who immigrated after Germany’s 1848 civil war and began building homes and forming a community in the late 1800s.

Many early builders were relatives of prominent Germans in Compton Heights, so architectural trends from Compton Heights and Flora Place influenced homes on streets like South Compton and Shenandoah. While exteriors were often simple, interiors commonly featured detailed woodwork, built-ins, stained glass, and elaborate staircases chosen from architectural pattern books.

Tower Grove East Neighborhood Association

The Tower Grove East Neighborhood Association (TGENA), founded in 1965, in a non-profit, volunteer organization. Their mission is: To achieve an outstanding urban neighborhood characterized by a diverse population, unified in an atmosphere of trust, respect and friendship. The TGENA monthly meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of every month at the Stray Dog Theatre (Tower Grove Abbey).  Please visit their website, www.towergroveeast.org for more information.