Kirkwood, Missouri is a popular St. Louis suburb for seniors.

Kirkwood MO History

Established in 1853, Kirkwood is the first planned suburb west of the Mississippi River. Since the late 1800’s, it has been called “Queen of the St. Louis Suburbs,” as it is located just 14 miles from downtown St. Louis. The city is named for James Pugh Kirkwood, the engineer who platted the city. Mr. Kirkwood was in charge of locating, surveying and building the Pacific railroad route through the area.

The railroad has always been vital to Kirkwood. In 1893, a major train station was built in the heart of the city. Today, the train station is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a favorite subject of photographers. Still in use, it is a daily stop for Amtrak passenger trains.

Kirkwood Missouri – Small-Town Atmosphere in the St. Louis Suburbs

Kirkwood, MO is known for its rich and diverse historic architecture, having more than 80 Historic Landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places. The city has many large, stately old homes with broad, open lawns framed by mature trees and sidewalks lining its streets. Its historic Downtown, known as Kirkwood Junction, spans 16 square blocks and has more than 100 businesses providing shopping, dining, and entertainment in a pedestrian-friendly outdoor atmosphere.

Seniors enjoy Kirkwood’s beautiful, small-town atmosphere, its walking tours of the many historic houses in the area and its easy proximity to St. Louis.