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The area has maintained a high quality residential life for over 100 years. Neighborhoods are filled with housing that ranges from quaint brick bungalows to stately Victorian homes straight out of "Meet Me In Saint Louis." People move here because they desire safe and secure neighborhoods and excellent schools for their children. Many live here for their entire lives because the sense of community is so prevalent. The Area Chamber boasts many long established and growing business districts. You can stroll down the tree-lined streets of Old Webster and search for treasures at the many gift and specialty stores and perhaps rest on one of the shady park benches. Less than one mile away, you can browse for antiques or treat yourself at a day spa in Old Orchard where you’ll find giant apple sculptures designed by nationally famous artist Bob Cassilly. Or, you may choose to shop at one of the many shopping plazas, like Yorkshire Center, that dot the area. The area proudly serves as world headquarters to Webster University. The University has almost 70 extended campuses located in cities and military bases across the United States. There are also seven campuses spread throughout Europe and Asia. The University’s goal is to become the world’s first truly international university. The campus is also home to the St. Louis Repertory Theater and Opera Theater of St. Louis. Recreational opportunities abound at the multi-use Shrewsbury City Center and the Webster Groves Recreation Complex which includes a community center, tennis courts, and an outdoor pool complex and a year-round indoor ice arena. The Webster Groves YMCA serves the whole area offering members everything from swim lessons and teen programs to Kids Gym™ and kick boxing. Rock Hill offers neighborhood parks where families can picnic and kids can play. There are also two private golf courses nearby. The area’s sense of community is enhanced by the involvement of more than 30 churches, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, and many service clubs including the Shrewsburians, the Kiwanas, the Rotary, and the Lions Club. The local newspaper, the Webster-Kirkwood Times, keeps residents and businesses informed of what is happening in the area. The business community is very active and can always be counted on to help out the local schools with fundraisers and sporting events. They also generously support community celebrations. Please feel free to stop by or call the Chamber office, 962-4142, when you are in town; our able staff will answer any of the questions you may have, or put you in touch with someone who can. Mike Oppermann
The Webster Groves Area Chamber wants to thank its service-oriented residents, businesses, and schools for helping make the Webster Groves region a place people of all ages and ethnicities call home.
The City of Shrewsbury is working with various local agencies including the East/West Gateway Coordinating Council and Bi-State Development Agency to bring the next leg of Metro Link, the regional light rail system, to the community. Many of the people involved in this project envision that the Metro Link station would eventually encompass a world class, business-oriented hotel, new retail shops, and pedestrian and bike trails. Both the Union Pacific and the Burlington Northern Railroads traverse Webster Groves and Shrewsbury. Many residents hope that one or both of the rail lines will eventually be used for commuter rail service in the 21st century.
Webster Groves Ten miles southwest of St. Louis is an area known
until 1802 as the "Dry Ridge" to Missouri, Osage, and Dakota
Indians and fur trappers. Webster Groves’ location on the Pacific Railroad line led to its development as a suburb. In the late 19th century, overcrowding, congestion, and unhealthy conditions in St. Louis prompted urban residents to leave the city for quieter, safer surroundings. In 1892 the developers of Webster Park, an affluent community which would soon become part of the city of Webster Groves, promoted the new community as the "Queen of the Suburbs," offering residents superb housing options in a country-like atmosphere and a close commute to downtown St. Louis jobs. Since then, Webster Groves’ tree-lined streets and abundance of single-family homes have been used as selling points by developers and real estate agents. Yet, Webster Groves is not solely the wealthy commuter suburb that early developers planned for. Webster Groves is both geographically and economically diverse; Webster Groves has its origins as five separate communities along adjacent railroad lines. Webster, Old Orchard, Webster Park, Tuxedo Park, and Selma merged in 1896 in order to implement public services and develop a unified city government. The diversity of Webster Groves is evident in the variety of its neighborhoods; its success is rooted in the cooperation and willingness of community members from all walks of life to work together toward common goals.
Shrewsbury Shrewsbury, Missouri was officially platted in 1889. The land which became Shrewsbury originally belonged to Gregorie Sarpy and Charles Gratiot; by 1890, it was divided into farms and sold to families. The area now known as Shrewsbury was a 278 acre farm owned by General John Murdoch. The Murdoch farm was called Shrewsbury Park, named after a village in England. In 1913, concerned resident Joseph Burge organized the Shrewsbury Improvement Association to improve Shrewsbury and develop its first sewer system. Shrewsbury was incorporated and became a village in 1913; shortly thereafter a sanitation system was established, reducing water-born diseases prevalent at the time. In 1938, the United States Government offered financial aid to the City of Shrewsbury and land was acquired for the construction of a new City Hall replacing the 1912 original. The new City Hall building was completed in October 1938. Shewsbury’s new fire engine house and state-of-the-art equipment were dedicated in 1947; it was during this period that the Shrewsbury Garden Club was formed to maintain the beautiful trees and flowers throughout the city. The early 50s were marked by the expansion of the public bus routes to connect Shrewsbury to St. Louis. The 60s and 70s were times of great community growth, noted by the construction of city parks, a municipal pool, and Interstate 44. The ‘80s and ‘90s saw increased development of new homes, condominiums, apartments, shopping areas, and a new and improved City Center, which opened May 8, 1993 to coincide with Shrewsbury’s 80th year of incorporation. The city hired its first City Administrator in 1997. The Shrewsbury Board of Aldermen recently concluded its plans for the next Metro Link extension. They also approved plans for a new aquatic center and allocated $4 million for street improvements.
Rock Hill
Rock Hill derived its name from an old church named by a Presbyterian minister; as he travelled to the church to celebrate the founding of its congregation, the minister encountered two steep and rocky hills. The City of Rock Hill was born, and today is a thriving community of over 5,000 people and boasts lovely neighborhoods, five city parks, a vital business community, and wonderful restaurants and shops.
Interesting Historical Trivia
Famous People From Our Area Mary Engelbreit Harry Carey Phyllis Diller Ivory Crockett William Webster Marsha Mason Reinhold Niebuhr Russ Mitchell Dizzy Dean Dr. Kischler John Lutz Bernice (Bunny) Aryes Peck
Contemporary housing options are also available for area residents; newer neighborhoods in Webster Groves, Shrewsbury and Rock Hill feature custom homes built by local developers and a variety of community living options such as apartments, townhomes, condominium complexes, and two-family flats. These safe, family-oriented neighborhoods are ideal places to raise children and enjoy the exceptional lifestyle that the area has to offer.
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On
behalf of the Webster Groves Area Chamber of Commerce, I would like
to welcome you to our area. The Chamber of Commerce is made up of
three traditional yet progressive inner ring St. Louis suburban cities:
Rock Hill, Shrewsbury, and Webster Groves.
Later,
after your shopping is finished, you might want to take in a movie
in Shrewsbury or see a production at the St. Louis Repertory Theatre
in Webster. Your evening could conclude with an intimate dinner for
two at Two Nice Guys, Webster’s oldest restaurant. Rock Hill’s
Farotto’s offers a variety of pasta dishes. Shewsbury’s
Raymond Slays, one of the region’s most popular and respected
family restaurants, has a menu filled with delicious Lebanese and
other Middle Eastern foods. Why not spend a night at one of the area’s
Bed and Breakfasts like the lovely Oakwood Cottage? You can finish
your visit the next morning with a tour of the Hawken House, built
in 1857 and home of Christopher Hawken of Hawken rifle fame, and neighbor
of Ulysses S. Grant, a frequent visitor.
The
Webster Groves Area Chamber of Commerce is made up
of three St. Louis inner ring suburban cities: Rock Hill, Shrewsbury
and Webster Groves. 
Webster
Groves, population 23,000, is home to many professionals,
many in the management and education fields. Webster Groves is also
the proud home of one of the oldest African American communities in
the state; many of their ancestors settled North Webster after the
Civil War. Along Webster Groves’ borders lies Shrewsbury, population
7,000 and Rock Hill, population 5,000. Families of various ages and
backgrounds who desire safe neighborhoods, good schools for their
children, and an active community in which to live form the cornerstone
of all three cities.
The
Webster Groves area, comprised of the cities of
Webster Groves, Rock Hill and Shrewsbury, is conveniently located
along Interstate 44, with easy access to Interstate
64/Highway 40, the Innerbelt/I70 and Interstate 270. Because the area
is a mere 20 minutes from St. Louis, residents
take advantage of some of the finest transportation systems
available. Lambert St. Louis International Airport, approximately
a 20-minute drive from Webster Groves, is serviced by nine major airlines,
five commuter airlines, four charter services, and nine
cargo operators. TransWorld Airlines is the main national and international
airline operating out of St. Louis; TWA has more than 350 daily departures
to 90 U.S. and overseas destinations. Lambert St.
Louis is the 11th busiest airport in the nation.
The
histories of the communities that comprise the Chamber area, each
unique, share one common thread: each city planted its seed in the
1800’s. Today, nearly two centuries later, they continue to mature,
feeding off the determination and desire for a better life embedded
into the fertile soil by the proud hands of early settlers. Webster
Groves, Shrewsbury, and Rock Hill have been transformed from rural
suburbs of St. Louis into diverse communities that continually work
hand-in-hand in order to achieve common goals. Our communities have
developed in amazing ways since their beginnings, and promise futures
equally as dynamic and extraordinary.
In
the early 1800’s this region, once a part of the Louisiana Territory,
was changing from Spanish to French ownership; a system of land grants
was inaugurated to promote immigration. During the early period
of Spanish rule, officials gave land to settlers as a check against
the English; in 1802, Gregorie Sarpy was granted 6,002 acres by Charles
de Hautte Delassus, the last Spanish Lieutenant governor. The land
grant covered the major area now known as Webster Groves, Missouri.
Rock
Hill, first inhabited by French pioneers, occupies territory included
in early French and Spanish grants. These early settlers first came
from Fort Chartres and established permanent homes in the great forests
to the west of the Mississippi River trading post founded by Pierre
Laclede. A large Spanish grant was awarded to early settler Jean Baptist
Sarpy, who began selling some of his property, including the territory
Rock Hill now comprises, in 1804.
Visitors
to Webster Groves are usually impressed by two
features above all else: the trees and the homes. Nestled among clusters
of elm, oak, and maple trees are gorgeous homes boasting large wrap-around
porches, second and third stories, gingerbread trim, and abundant,
verdant lawns. Webster has received the "Tree City USA"
award for 15 years and is often compared to the historic areas of
New England. Approximately 300 houses are listed on the National Register
of Historic Places, and more than 100 homes have received the "Century
Home" honor awarded by the Webster Groves Historical Society
to homes at least 100 years old.