COLLEGE HILL (66)
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Location

This Northside neighborhood is bounded by Adelaide Avenue to the East, Warne to the Northwest, Interstate 70 to the Northeast, Ferry Road to the Southeast, and West Florissant to the Southwest.

Before residential development in College Hill began, the area was rural in character and consisted of several large farm estates. The prominent landowners were John O’Fallon, Dr. John Gano Gryan, Edward Hempstead, and Lewis Bissell. The largest landowner in the area was O’Fallon. Much of his 600-acre estate became what are today O’Fallon Park and College Hill. The land was eventually subdivided and platted for residential development in the early 1870s. Construction began in 1880 and lasted until approximately 1920.

In the early 1860s, the city began to outgrow its water facilities and plans were developed to build a new pumping station. The Old Water Tower at East Grand and 20th Street was completed in 1869 and was considered the largest perfect Corinthian column in existence, with a height of 154 feet. The tower was designed by architect George Gingham Barnett.

The Red Water Tower at Bissell Street and Blair Avenue was built in 1887 to augment the Old Water Tower. It was designed by architect W. S. Eames, the assistant city water commissioner. The Red Water Tower stands at 206 feet. Both the Old Water Tower and the Red Water Tower have been designated local and national landmarks, and represent approximately half of such surviving structures in the nation.

Another famous landmark that can be found in the College Hill neighborhood is the old Bissell Mansion at 4426 Randall Place. It was built between 1823 and 1828, situated atop a high bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. This area is referred to as Bissell’s Point.

The College Hill neighborhood is residential in nature, consisting primarily of two- and four-family flats with a small number of single-family dwellings. The neighborhood was given the name College Hill because it occupies the former location of the Saint Louis University College Farm. As stated previously, the housing stock consists primarily of two- and four-family structures, with fewer single-family units. The houses contain large yards and are fairly well maintained. Homes situated near the crest of the hillside bluff have a splendid view across the Mississippi River and its accompanying valley. Major landmarks in the neighborhood include The Old Water Tower (also known as the White Tower), the Red Tower, and the Bissell Mansion.

The acting neighborhood group is the College Hill Community 2000 organization. Active participation is low, mostly as a result of the small number of homeowners. Many of the homeowners that are active in College Hill Community 2000 have been long-term residents who have witnessed the deterioration of their neighborhood. There exist a large number of vacant buildings, many of which are owned by LRA.

Commercial activity originated along East Grand around the Old Water Tower, as well as some commercial activity along West Florissant. Recent years have shown a decrease in commercial activity and storefront vacancies have become increasingly common. There is some industrial activity in the area, but it is minimal. Several large plants can be found near the river, such as the Mississippi Glass Company and the Cupples Company. The area north of Grand between Broadway and the river is largely industrial.

Since the 1960s, the College Hill neighborhood has experienced a significant reduction in population and homeowners. These trends were commonplace throughout many of the neighborhoods within the City. The reduction in population and owner-occupancy has left many of the buildings vacant or in need of structural maintenance. With the decrease in population followed an increase in commercial inactivity. Recent statistics show that crime has been reduced. College Hill provides an abundance of decent housing stock, easy access to downtown, and proximity to parks such as O’Fallon Park and the old Fairgrounds Park. A great deal of community and economic development, which is currently being spearheaded by College Hill Community 2000, is needed to restore this historic neighborhood to its previous character.

Churches to be found in the area include Mount Grace Convent, which houses "The Pink Sisters"; Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church; New Jerusalem Cathedral Church of God and Christ; The Prayer Garden Church of God in Christ; The House of Deliverance Pentecostal Church; St. Paul Lutheran Church; Inner City Christian Church; and St. Michael’s Memorial Church. All of these provide spiritual support for community members and residents of all ages and affiliations. St. Paul Lutheran hosts the Elder Wellness Program, a collaborative effort with Father Tolton’s, St. James Center, College Hill Community 2000, and St. Paul’s. St. James hosts after school programs for the area’s youth. St. Paul sponsors free Kifaru Academy karate classes.

Agencies that cater to College Hill residents and surrounding communities include the St. James Community Center, which is affiliated with the United Church of Christ Neighborhood Houses (another neighborhood agency); the Father Tolton Catholic Community Services; The Neighborhood Counsel; Tower Village Nursing Home; Renaissance Neighborhood Opportunity; and College Hill Community 2000. Also located in the neighborhood is the Tower Village Nursing Home, which is funded by United Way. TREND (Turning Resources and Energies in New Directions) is a youth service active in the neighborhood. Nearby parks include O’Fallon Park, Windsor, Adelaide Park, and Fairgrounds Park.

The expanded Divoll Branch Library is located at 4234 North Grand. Area schools include Bryan Hill School at 2128 Gano Avenue and Lowell School at 1409 Lowell Avenue. Parochial schools are maintained by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and both Catholic parishes in the area. Bryan Hill and Lowell Elementary Schools have a new playground, provided with efforts from Metropolis. Also located within the neighborhood is the Jewish Center for the Aged at East Grand and Blair Avenues. Other College Hill assets include the North Side Team Ministry Crisis Assistance Center, Our Lady of Perpetual Help St. Vincent de Paul, and the Inner City Christian Church Food Pantry, all of which serve as food pantries for the area’s hungry.

College Hill Community 2000 has laid out a strategic community development plan that has been divided into five phases. Phase I includes identifying the area of concern. Phase II includes identifying "Anchor Families" and "Anchor Institutions." Phase III focuses on drawing up a plan to link these Anchor families and institutions together to create a new sense of community. Phase IV includes working to improve the face of the community and to identify other families or people interested in improving the area. Phase V includes physical development of the community once the desired support is established. Currently, Phases I and II have been completed, while Phases III and IV are in progress.

College Hill Community 2000 received a grant as part of Round I of the Missouri Department of Economic Development-Community Development Corporations grant program. The money received from this grant is being used to rehab a building located at 1447- 49 East Grand Avenue at Blair Avenue. The historic building, built in 1874- 75, is in the Vernacular 2nd Empire/Mansard Style and has been vacant for approximately eight years. Once completed, the building will be used to house the offices of College Hill Community 2000. The organization has recently completed cataloging data concerning neighborhood redevelopment efforts that is available on AutoCAD Light software. The new center is planned to open in summer 2000.

Although there is a good deal of effort being applied to community development within the community, financial support and economic development from outside the community is necessary to facilitate the redevelopment of this old residential community.