Westmoreland and Portland Places: The History and Architecture of America's Premier Private Streets, 1888-1988 (Volume 1)

Nowhere in America has the private place flourished as it has in St. Louis and no private places have played a more important role in that citys or the nations history than Westmoreland and Portland. Owned by the residents rather than by the city and governed by a board of trustees responsible for lighting sewers roadways security landscaping and refuse removal Westmoreland and Portland are lined with spectactular houses in the style of Italian palazzi French chateaus and English country estates. The residents of Westmoreland and Portland have run many of the largest businesses and industries in St. Louis and in many cases in the United States. In 1904 they were among those who planned one of the most spectacular worlds fairs ever and in 1927 they helped finance Charles Lindberghs transatlantic flight. They served in the cabinets of presidents Cleveland McKinley Theodore Roosevelt Taft Wilson Coolidge and Hoover. By examining these and many other accomplishments of these families Julius Hunter provides a unique historical perspective on the past century of American life. In addition to providing the historical background Hunter presents vivid descriptions of glamorous social occasions in Westmoreland and Portland--weddings balls even funerals--and he shows that the residents were sometimes united and sometimes split by bonds of family marriage religion club membership and political preference. Interviews with people who lived on those streets early in this century provide a unique glimpse of what it was like to grow up in the prestigious neighborhood. Hunters text is superbly illustrated. More than 200 color photographs depict the houses as they appear today including architectural details and interior views. More than 200 black-and-white photographs provide a glimpse of St. Louiss past. Every house that has stood in either Westmoreland or Portland is shown. All of these mansions were designed by architects many of them of national or international reputation and an essay by Esley Hamilton supplies additional information on the architects and the styles in which they worked. A Chronology of Owners presents the ownership dates for every resident past and present. The engaging text and the beautiful illustrations combine to make this book pleasurable reading for everyone interested in either the St. Louis of the past or the city of the present.