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Lewis Place Historic Gate: A Monument to Progress

A historic landmark in St. Louis, the Lewis Place Historic Gate symbolizes the struggle for civil rights and fair housing in the city.

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The Lewis Place Historic Gate stands as a proud reminder of St. Louis's complex history, particularly the struggle for civil rights and fair housing. This elegant entrance marks the gateway to the Lewis Place neighborhood, a significant landmark in the city's African-American heritage.

A brief summary to Lewis Place Historic Gate

  • 2 Lewis Pl, St. Louis, Lewis Place, Missouri, 63113, US

Local tips

  • Take a stroll through the Lewis Place neighborhood to admire the beautiful architecture and reflect on its rich history.
  • Visit during daylight hours to fully appreciate the details of the historic gate and surrounding homes.
  • Consider exploring other nearby historic sites in the Central West End to learn more about St. Louis's past.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive and Newstead Avenue, walk west on Martin Luther King Drive for approximately two blocks. The Lewis Place Historic Gate will be on your right, marking the entrance to the Lewis Place neighborhood. The walk is relatively flat and should take about 5-10 minutes.

  • Public Transport

    The MetroBus is a convenient option. Several routes stop near the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive and Newstead Avenue. From there, walk west on Martin Luther King Drive as described above. A single MetroBus fare is $2.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in St. Louis. A short ride from downtown or the Central West End to the Lewis Place Historic Gate will typically cost between $10 and $15, depending on traffic and demand.

Unlock the Best of Lewis Place Historic Gate

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Discover more about Lewis Place Historic Gate

The Lewis Place Historic Gate, located in St. Louis, Missouri, is more than just an architectural feature; it's a symbol of a community's fight against racial segregation and a testament to the enduring spirit of its residents. Laid out in 1890 by the family of William J. Lewis, Lewis Place quickly became known for its beautiful homes designed by the renowned architectural firm of Barnett, Haynes & Barnett. However, from the 1910s to the 1940s, Lewis Place, like many other neighborhoods in St. Louis, enforced restrictive covenants that barred African-Americans from owning property. The eastern gate, a monumental triumphal arch designed in 1894, inadvertently became a stark symbol of this division, marking a color line in the city. In the 1940s, a group of determined African-American activists, led by Attorney Robert Witherspoon and his wife, Dr. Fredda Witherspoon, challenged these discriminatory practices. They orchestrated a plan to have fair-skinned African-Americans, who could pass as white, purchase homes in Lewis Place, thereby breaking the restrictive covenant. This courageous act paved the way for the landmark Shelley v. Kraemer Supreme Court case, which ultimately struck down restrictive covenants across the United States and opened doors to fair housing regulations. Today, Lewis Place stands as a vibrant community, a National Register Historic District, and a reminder of the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice.

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