Creve Coeur Olivette Directory 2026

Creve Coeur Olivette Area Community Directory | 2026 17 A Brief History of Creve Coeur It wasn’t too long ago when you could take the streetcar from University City to Creve Coeur Lake and think you were in deep country. Initially a farming community, Creve Coeur has developed into a thriving commu- nity in central St. Louis County with beau- tiful homes, acres of parkland, hundreds of businesses and a number of high-tech office parks. By 1950, St. Louis had reached its peak population with 856,000. St. Louis City was filling up, forcing returning soldiers to look for housing in St. Louis County to raise their families. Families wanted bigger houses, more yard space and places to park their new cars. The technological advancements in the automobile industry, along with the construction of Highways 270 and 40, further pushed the westward movement away from the central city. When Creve Coeur was incorporated in December 1949, less than one square mile housed a population of 1,900 citizens. The city’s charter was adopted in 1976. Today, with a population of 18,565, Creve Coeur spans 10.27 square miles with approximately 8,200 housing units. Currently, Creve Coeur has 80 miles of public streets and 16 miles of private streets. Home to two private colleges, four private high schools, five private primary schools, two public school districts and approximately 15 houses of worship, Creve Coeur is a place where everything a resident needs is no more than 10 minutes away. View of a train running alongside Creve Coeur Lake circa 1910