Creve Coeur derives its French name from broken-heart-shaped Creve Coeur Lake. (In English, Creve Coeur translates to “heartbreak.”) Various archeological finds and written historical accounts of the area show that Native Americans inhabited the region for almost twelve millennia, beginning around 9500 B.C.
French explorers and fur trappers began exploring and settling the area throughout the late 1700s and early 1800s, and the Lewis and Clark Expedition even traversed the territory when the United States acquired the region in 1803 through the Louisiana Purchase.
Incorporated by St. Louis in 1949, Creve Coeur has since grown into a second-ring suburb located in west St. Louis County with a population just shy of 20,000 (according to the 2020 census). Located just off of Bypass Route 66, the area offers a plethora of fun activities and attractions for residents and visitors. Here’s a look at some sources of entertainment throughout the Creve Coeur Lake area.
At 2,145 acres, Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park is the largest park in St. Louis County. On top of tennis courts, multi-purpose athletic fields, picnicking facilities and an archery course, the park also includes the 18-hole Crystal Springs Quarry golf course. Due to a large portion of the park and surrounding areas being wetlands, the park has been used for several conservatory purposes, particularly the study and observation of various waterfowl.
The asphalt trail around the lake leads across the Missouri River and connects to Katy Trail on the opposite bank. The Dripping Springs waterfall can be found along the southeast shore of the lake and a recreational sandy beach is located along the northeast shore. Meanwhile, the southwest portion of the lake is dedicated to native wildlife.
The St. Louis County Department of Parks has also partnered with Great Rivers Greenway to provide a new way to experience Creve Coeur Lake — a 6-mile “water trail” meandering across the lake and up the neighboring creek sheds new light on the unique history of the park as well as its natural flora and fauna. Points of interest with interpretive information are located throughout the trail and are available via both the park brochure or your own smartphone.
As if these features alone weren’t enough to supply mobile seniors with a day full of exploration and adventure, the Go Ape Tree Top Adventure Course is yet another exhilarating activity the park offers. Flying from branch to branch and ledge to ledge across the vast system of ziplines, you can explore the heights of the park from the perspective of the treetops. Make sure you check with your doctor before participating in a zipline or other tree-top activity. Seniors who aren't able to get to the treetops can enjoy watching grandkids do so while remaining on the ground.
After an outing in the park, groups or families can enjoy a delectable dinner at the Creve Coeur Lakehouse Restaurant.
The St. Louis Feldman Holocaust Museum and Learning Center is using the history of the Holocaust and the lessons learned from it to reject hatred, promote justice and equality and inspire change to visitors of all ages and backgrounds. In preserving the infamous legacy of the Holocaust, the museum is dedicated to educating people about its causes and illustrating how it is still relevant to our lives today.
Since its inception, the museum has been mainly sustained by Holocaust survivors, whose contributions of family photos, official documents and heirlooms add a personal element to the history preserved there and enrich the experience of visitors, many of whom are students anywhere between middle school and college age. In fact, relatives often share the stories of their parents, grandparents and cousins with guests.
The museum opened in 1995 after two decades of careful and passionate planning. The museum is visited by more than 30,000 guests annually, and many more experience it virtually through the museum’s website.
In recent years, the museum has added more exhibits pertaining to other malicious tragedies, fearlessly addressing instances of genocide, white supremacy and hate crimes that still occur throughout the world today.
An abbey of the Catholic English Benedictine Congregation, the Abbey of St. Louis and St. Mary is an important cultural landmark in the spiritual life of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. In 1955, three English Benedictine monks relocated from north England to St. Louis and founded a preparatory school. In the almost seven decades since, it has blossomed into a full-blown monastery and priory school.
The monks of the Abbey live their faith according to the Benedictine principles of disciplined prayer and hard work. Rich in history unique to Creve Coeur, the Abbey and its school sit on a gorgeous 150-acre campus, and visitors are encouraged year-round.
The Abbey embraces a Christ-centered philosophy of selfless service and community outreach that makes it a shining example of love, faith and charity.
The Autumn View Gardens community is certainly proud to call Creve Coeur home. Residents of our community can enjoy all of these activities and attractions, and we even schedule transportation and group outings to local cultural events to help make it happen!
