Overview

The Soulard neighborhood is an economically- and culturally-diverse community located less than two miles south of downtown Saint Louis. The area is named for Antoine Pierre Soulard, a pioneer Frenchman who first came to the area in the late 1790s as a surveyor for the King of Spain.

The neighborhood is bounded on the north by Carroll Street, on the east by Seventh Street, on the south by Lynch Street and to the west by Interstate 55.

Soulard is one of the oldest parts of the city with original housing stock dating from the mid- to late-1800s and exhibiting a range of architectural styles that include Second Empire, most identifible by the characterisic Mansard roof The neighborhood applied for and was granted its historic designation on December 26, 1972.

The neighborhood has a few parks that provide vital recreational space for residents.

• Aboussie Park [.4 acre], located on South 13th between Lynch and Sidney streets, this small park offers simple landscaping, a curving footpath and benches for sitting. The park was named for a longtime Democratic Ninth-Ward committeeman.
• Frenchtown Dog Park [over .75 acre] is an enclosed space for pets and their owners located at the west end of Emmet Street.
• Lyon Park [almost 11 acres], located across from the brewery on South Broadway between Arsenal and Utah streets, this large park features two softball fields.
• Pontiac Square Park [1.5 acres], located between 9th and 10th and Shenandoah and Ann, this park has a lot of green space, landscaping designed and maintained by Beautification and a playground.
• Soulard Market Park [almost 2 acres], located on the south side of Historic Soulard Market on Lafayette between 7th and 9th streets, this park is divided into two parts. The west side is a tree-lined and grassy area with an iron fence at the perimeter. The east end features playground equipment and a memorial garden maintained by Beautification.
• Soulard Station Garden is located at the crossroads of Gravois and 12th streets in the far northwestern corner of the neighborhood. This area, once the site of a gas station, is an extreme source of pride for Beautification who designed, manages and maintains the space that includes a large variety of plants, a water feature and a 5-foot tall praying mantis sculpture.