Des Peres Historical Society

03/22/2026

The “News & Views” newsletter was published from 1957 through 1971. Sponsored by the Des Peres Business And Professional Men’s Association, the publication covered topics of local interest for residents of Des Peres, Town & Country, and Crystal Lake Park.

DPHS is currently searching for issues of the newsletter from 1957-59, 1966, and 1968-71. Please contact us at [email protected] if you can help us complete this collection.

03/19/2026

May 14, 1971: The grand opening of West County Cyclery in Des Peres Shopping Center at 12019 Manchester Road.

[From the Francis Scheidegger Collection, courtesy of the State Historical Society of Missouri.]

02/23/2026

Congratulations to Team USA men’s and women’s hockey teams for winning Olympic gold! 🇺🇸 St. Louis was well represented at this year’s games, with five players from the area participating — Joy Dunne, Clayton Keller, brothers Brady and Matthew Tkachuk, and Nick Saracino, who played for Team Italy.

Des Peres has a proud connection to Team USA hockey. Former NHL goalie Ben Bishop, who grew up in Des Peres, played in several international tournaments for Team USA.

Bishop, who was drafted by and played for the St. Louis Blues, had a distinguished NHL career, leading both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Dallas Stars to the Stanley Cup finals. He was a 3-time Vezina Trophy finalist, an NHL All-Star, and set multiple franchise records with the Lightning in his 11 seasons in the league.

DPHS salutes his achievements!

02/04/2026

Additional entries found in the journal of Des Peres farmer John Snyder include a visit with George Ballas (Ballas Road) and a trip to Isaac Woods’ mill in present-day Chesterfield (Woods Mill Road).

Snyder’s records provide valuable insight into life on a 19th-century St. Louis County farm. The workers on his farm consisted of family members, hired hands, and slaves. They made frequent trips along Manchester Road to sell farm products at the market in St. Louis.

01/30/2026

The journal of John Snyder, a farmer who lived in what is now northeastern Des Peres, provides valuable insight into life on a 19th-century St. Louis County farm. The workers on Snyder’s farm consisted of family members, hired hands, and slaves. They made frequent trips along Manchester Road to sell farm products at the market in St. Louis.

01/28/2026

Reminder: Our Annual Meeting is Sunday, February 1, at 3:00 at The Lodge. We are excited to tell you about the progress we’ve made in the last year.

We are looking for new members and volunteers. Please come and share your ideas with us to help make the Des Peres Historical Society a proud cornerstone of the city!

Thanks,
The DPHS Steering Committee

01/23/2026

**MEETING RESCHEDULED**

Our annual meeting scheduled for this Sunday at The Lodge has been postponed due to the forecast.

The meeting has been rescheduled for Sunday, February 1, at 3:00.

01/20/2026

Please note: New starting time for DPHS annual meeting

Our meeting at The Lodge on Sunday, Jan 25, will begin at 3:00 instead of 3:30.

We look forward to seeing you there! Your input is needed to help guide the direction of DPHS in 2026.

01/09/2026

A legen-dairy anniversary:

One hundred years ago today -- January 9, 1926 -- a two-headed cow was born in Des Peres on the Harwood dairy farm, located at Manchester and Harwood roads.

[The Sentinel-Democrat, Clayton, MO, 1/14/1926]

01/08/2026

You’re invited to attend our annual meeting on Sunday, January 25, at 3:30 pm at The Lodge! Your input is needed to help guide the direction of DPHS in 2026.

12/23/2025

Christmas festivities at the Lutheran Orphans Home, December 24, 1948. The building is now the location of Des Peres City Hall.

[From the Francis Scheidegger photograph collection. Courtesy of the State Historical Society of Missouri.]

12/14/2025

A 1941 recording of “Jingle Bells” by the Glenn Miller Orchestra, featuring the lead vocals of former Des Peres resident Tex Beneke. See our original post about Tex Beneke — the famous bandleader, singer, and saxophone player — here:

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Provided to YouTube by Xelon EntertainmentJingle Bells (Remastered 2025) · Tex BenekeSilent Night & Silver Bells, Vol. 2 (Remastered 2025)℗ 2015 OVC MediaRel...