Ballwin, Missouri
Ballwin: A History of Our Community
Ballwin is a unique name for a City. In fact, it is the only City in the United States with its speclling (Ballwin, not Baldwin). The City was founded by John Ball, son of James Ball and Mary Bray Ball of Virginia and Kentucky. His father, James, who came to America from Dublin, Ireland, served in the 4th and 8th Virginia Regiments during the Revolutionary War. Because of his military service, he was given a military land warrant and moved to this new land in Kentucky after the war. Reportedly, James was a friend of Daniel Boone.
Around 1791 or 1798, our founder, John Ball, moved to the West St. Louis County area, possibly at the same time as the Daniel Boone party moved to and settled in the St. Charles Warrne County areas. Records now preserved in Jefferson City show the transfer of title of about 400 acres of land along Grande Glaize Creek to John Ball in February, 1800. This is the first official record of John Ball in the West County area.
Since John Ball's property claim was derived from a Spanish land grant, and was land that was at the time under Spanish rule, the Louisiana Purchase raised doubts about property ownership. It took several hearings and appeals and ten years for John Ball to clear his claim to the land that would eventually become the town of Ballwin.
In 1826, Missouri moved its capital to Jefferson City. Soon there was a need for an overland mail route between St. Louis and the new capital. As luck would have it, this new road was established along a route that passed by John Ball's property. After the road, known at times as Jefferson Road, Market Road and Manchester Road, became established, John Ball decided to capitalize on the accessibility it provided for his property, and laid out a town.
The town was originally recorded as "Ballshow", but two days later, on February 9, 1837, Ball amended the recorded plot to be named Ballwin. No one knows for sure why the name was changed, but one of John Ball's great grandsons says it was the result of a rivalry with neighboring Manchester. John Ball saw great things ahead for his new town and was confident that it would "win out" in reputation and growth over its older and more prominent neighbor, two miles to the east. Hence the "win" was incorporated into the name.
In the years that followed, Ballwin has grown from the town John Ball knew with only a few homes and businesses, to a small village of 750 people when it was incorporated on December 29, 1950, to a thriving city of 27,000 today. John Ball's vision of Ballwin as the leading city in the West County area has been realized.
Most Ballwin residents are probably unaware that our city's founding father, John Ball, is not buried within the boundaries of the city he founded in 1837. On the night of August 31, 1859, John Ball passed away after a long illness. He was buried in Block 16 of the Community Burial Grounds that he had set aside for such purposes when he laid out the town of Ballwin, twenty-two years earlier. But as we all know, nothing gets in the way of progress, especially during that time in our country's history. Several years later, the path of Missouri highway 100 (Manchester Road) was changed, taking up part of Block 16 and the monuments and remains of those buried there were moved to other cemeteries. Highway 100, the Masonic Hall and several homes now occupy Block 16. The markers and remains of John Ball and his wife Mary, were moved to the Methodist cemetery in Manchester next to Woods Mill Road, thus completing the final chapter in the story of John Ball of Ballwin.
In 1826, the Missouri State Legislature moved to Jefferson City, making it the new state capital. One of the first orders of business after the move was to supplement the Missouri River access to the capital with an overland route. Soon an overland mail route between St. Louis and Jefferson City was established. At first the post road was a narrow bridle trail, and perhaps originally was an Indian trail. After successive improvements, in 1836, the State Legislature upgraded the road's designation to a coach road, and it was known for a time as "Old State Road," but later as Manchester Road. By 1837, Manchester Road was a well traveled passage, and the mail route from St. Louis was along it through such Post Office stops as Manchester, Point Labadie, and Union.
When people from other areas of St. Louis County think of the City of Ballwin, they naturally picture busy Manchester Road, with its seemingly endless number of retail stores and businesses. Manchester Road truly is the lifeline of the City of Ballwin, as it has been since our very beginning. The road itself has a very long and interesting history. It first was called Rue Bonhomme during French control of the area. At that time, it was an extension of a street in St. Louis platted Market Street, which farmers used to carry produce to market on the St. Louis riverfront. This old Market Street was located about one-fourth of a mile north of the present road.
In 1835, the St. Louis County Court approved an act to lay out Manchester Road, and in 1839, Manchester Road had its establishment provided for by the Missouri General Assembly. The General Assembly made Manchester Road the first official state road in St. Louis County in order to provide an overland medium between St. Louis and Jefferson City. This is probably why it is shown on some early maps of the area as Jefferson Road. John Ball, Ballwin's founder, built his home on Manchester Road and laid out his town around it. From that time until today, Manchester Road has become Ballwin's lifeline.
See a two-lane Manchester Road along with nearly 200 historic photographs in the celebrated release of the new Ballwin history book titled "Ballwin" written by David Fiedler. Also included in the 128-page book are "Ballwin Days" from years gone by, a young Mark McGwire playing baseball in Ballwin in a warm up game to the 1984 Olympics, prominent city landmarks, schools, and other buildings from "once upon a time." (Photograph above from "Ballwin")
Ballwin Community Christian Church
Ballwin-Salem United Methodist Church
Bethany Baptist Church Deaf
Bible Presbyterian Church
Calvary Christian Temple
Castlewood Baptist Church
Center Advent Christian Society
Christ Prince-Peace Church
Church of Christ - Lafayette
Church of The Nazarene Korean
Community Christian Church
Daar-Ul-Islam
Ellisville Church of Christ
Emerson Unitarian Chapel
Faith Lutheran Church
First Evangelical Free Church
First Missionary Baptist Church
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Hindu Temple of St. Louis
Holy Infant Church
Kol Am Congregation
Korean Catholic Church
Lafayette Bible Baptist Church
Lifegate Baptist Church
Living Water Free Methodist
Manchester Baptist Church
Midwest Messianic Center
Missouri United Methodist
Moment of Mediation
Passionist Nuns Monastery
Robin Roberts Ministries
Sherman Baptist Church
Spirit of the Shepherd Ucc
Spiritual Enrichment Center
Spiritual Pathways Center
St. Clare of Assisi Church
St. Joseph's Church-Manchester
St. Louis Chinese Gospel Church
St. Louis Christian Fellowship
St. Luke's Episcopal Church
St. Mark Presbyterian Church
St. Martin's Episcopal Church
Taiwanese Presbyterian Church
Twin Oaks Presbyterian Church
United Methodist Church
West County Bible Church
West County Christian Counsel
West County Community Church
Located at 14557 Manchester Road.
Phone: 314-428-0004
Enrollment: 102 students
The Grabber School of Hair Design's goal is to prepare graduates for a successful career in the fields of manicuring and cosmetology. The Grabber School of Hair Design also strives to instill in its students a true sense of self-pride and further pledges that its graduates have a thorough knowledge of the basic skills reflecting yesterday, today, and the future of hairstyling.
Grabber School of Hair Design is nationally accredited.
Other Colleges/Universities with over 2,000 students near Ballwin:
Maryville University (about 9 miles, 2,094 students)
Webster University (about 14 miles, 8,252 students)
Lindenwood University (about 15 miles, 5,116 students)
Washington University (about 17 miles, 10,939 students)
University of Missouri-St. Louis (20 miles, 9,715 students)
St. Charles Community College (14 miles, 3,301 students)
St. Louis Community College-Meramec (10 miles, 7,507 stu)
West High School: Grades 9-12 1,559 students
Southwest Middle School: Grades 6-8 825 students
Morgan Selvidge Middle School: Grades 6-8 742 students
Woerther Elementary School: Grades K-5 606 students
Oak Brook Elementary School: Grades K-5 581 students
Westbridge Elementary School: Grades K-5 533 students
Ballwin Elementary School: Grades K-5 499 students
Wren Hollow Elementary School: Grades K-5 463 students
Hanna Woods Elementary School: Grades K-5 462 students
Claymont Elementary School: Grades K-5 453 students
Sorrento Springs Elementary School: Grades K-5 364 students
Holy Infant Elementary School: Grades K-8 873 students
Christ Prince-Peace School: Grades K-8 385 students
Al-Salam Day School: Grades PK-8 129 students
Des Peres Hospital (about 8 miles; St. Louis, MO)
Des Peres Dialysis Center (about 8 miles; St. Louis, MO)
Missouri Baptist Medical Center (about 8 miles; St. Louis, MO)
Airports nearest Ballwin
Lambert St. Louis International Airport (17 miles; St. Louis, MO)
Spirit of St. Louis Airport (about 8 miles; St. Louis, MO)
St. Louis Regional Airport (about 41 miles; St. Louis/Alton, IL)
The park facilities consist of a pavilion, a playground, and The Pointe Recreation Center. The Pointe is located on 12.8 acres just south of Manchester Road on Ballwin Commons Circle, just off of Ballwin Commons Drive and Old Ballwin Road. The Pointe is a state of the art recreation complex housing two full gymnasiums, an indoor track, full circuit weight system, cardiovascular equipment, free weight area, dance/aerobic studio, locker rooms, baby sitting room, concession area, game room, kids play area, and meeting rooms that accommodate up to 150 people.
The indoor leisure pool consists of zero depth entry, interactive water playground equipment, lazy river, bubble couch, spa, three lap lanes, open play area, a vortex, and a thrilling two story water slide. There is an overhead balcony for viewing and an outdoor sun deck.
The Park & Recreation Department staff offices are located at The Pointe and most of the indoor recreation programs planned by the department are held at The Pointe. Ballwin hosts a variety of recreational programs for children, adults, and seniors, so The Pointe at Ballwin Commons is the perfect place to get in shape, have fun, and make new friends.
Ballwin 8th Annual Triathlon
- 300 Yard Swim
- 9 Mile Bike Ride
- 3.2 Mile Run
Adult Programs & Activities
Middle Eastern Belly Dancing
Golf Yoga
Adult Beginning Guitar
Dance to the Oldies
Trivia Night
Everyone "Kneads" a Massage
Senior Fashion Show
Fun for 50+
Illinois Amish Country Tour
Arrow Rock & Lyceum Theatre Tour
Oil Painting in a Day
Lafayette Older Adult Program
St. Louis Cemetery Tour
Vlasis Park -- 31 Acre Site
Vlasis Park is Ballwin's largest park. It is located north of Manchester Road between Seven Trails Drive, Ballwin Park Drive & Holloway Drive. The Ballwin Government Center, Public Works Department and the Donald "Red" Loehr Police & Court Center are located in Vlasis Park. Vlasis Park covers 3 acres and features two ball diamonds, a playground, four tennis courts, restrooms, two ponds, one of which is stocked with fish, two pavilions, a walking path, two sand volley ball courts, and eight horseshoe courts.
Vlasis Park also hosts the "Ballwin Days" festival, one of the largest community events in the St. Louis area. A volunteer committee that exceeds 100 members plans and carries out the activities each year that include a parade, live entertainment, sporting events and game booths that attract more than 60,000 visitors to the three day event. In addition to their volunteer efforts, the committee has in the past been able to contribute to the city for park improvements derived from festival proceeds.
Ballwin Days Festival
- Food & Beverage
- Rides
- Athletics
Horseshoe Tournament, Men's Golf Tournament, Women's Golf Tournament, 5 K Run, 1 Mile Walk, Kid's Fun Run, Tennis Tournament, and Washers Tournament.
- Arts & Crafts
Sterling Silver and semi-precious jewelry
Washer boxes, bolo toss, marshmallow guns
Large assortment of hair accessories, hats, caps
Personalized children's music
Yarn puppets, marionettes, birdhouses
Homemade beaded bookmarks, cards, all sports
Lamps, paper products such as handcrafted stationery
African art items (necklaces, statues, wind chimes)
Hand sculpted, hand painted "imps"
Photography
American Girl doll clothes, shoes, accessories
Portraits of people, dogs, houses, drawn from photos
Original watercolors
Acrylic contemporary paintings and prints
Decorative wine bottle that lights up, plates, vases
Jewelry, purses, scarves
Vinyl decals for car windows
Leather hip purses, jewelry, red hat accessories
Jewelry -- pre-made and custom
Photos of local interest including Busch Stadium
Black tye-die, pony tail clips
Freshwater pearl necklaces, bracelets, earrings
Decorative woodcrafts, soaps, lotions
Woodcrafts -- animals
Temporary tattoos
Colorful bath salts in decorative bottles, salt scrubs
Fabric cards
Leather goods, belts, billfolds, purses, etc.
Caricatures
- Entertainment
Bands (country, country rock), car shows, karaoke, and The St. Louis Eagles.
- Kids Korner
Shriner clowns, bubbles, games, coloring contest, crafts, pony rides, temporary tattoos, and gym play area.
- Contests
Community Beautification
Pretty Baby
Mr. & Mrs. Ballwin Days
- Parade
2005 Theme "Let Freedom Ring"
New Ballwin Park -- 7 Acre Site
New Ballwin Park located at 329 New Ballwin Road is a neighborhood park that offers open space and active recreation opportunities such as two tennis courts, a multipurpose court with four basketball goals, a playground, a sand volleyball court, restrooms, a pavilion for picnicking, a walking path, and fishing close to home. A "Community Assistance Agreement" with the Missouri Department of Conservation has allowed the City to provide improved fishing amenities in Vlasis & New Ballwin Parks. The Conservation Department stocks the ponds monthly with Channel and Bullhead Catfish, Carp, and Trout at no cost to the City. The agreement has also provided the City with funding to construct a disabled user accessible cedar fishing deck and boardwalk at New Ballwin Park. In exchange for the stocking program and the funding for improvements, the City is obligated to maintain and make the ponds available to the public free of charge.Ferris Park -- 12 Acre Site
Ferris Park located at 500 New Ballwin Road which is approximately one-half mile north of Big Bend Road is the City's newest park. The property, given to the City by the State of Missouri, to be used solely for park and recreation purposes was developed at a cost of $350,000 and includes a ball field, a playground, comfort station, nature trails, and a pavilion with a very unique picnic opportunity. With financial assistance from the local Lions Club, city crews constructed the Gothic Arch Pavilion on a cedar deck some 15 feet above the forest floor. A "Branch Out Missouri Grant" from the Missouri Department of Conservation has provided for the planting of 250 trees in the park. These same funds have been used to plant over 500 trees total in Ballwin parks over the last five years.Holloway Park -- 10.9 Acre Site
Holloway Park located at 335 Holloway Road is home to Ballwin's North Pointe Family Aquatic Center. The North Pointe Family Aquatic Center opened in June of 2003.The park offers two tennis courts and a playground which is open.
North Pointe Family Aquatic Center
- A competitive pool measuring 25 yards by 25 meters,
with 10 lanes, two one-meter diving boards and "Tree Swing"
- 910 foot Lazy River
- A leisure pool with a beach entry, sprays, vortex and bubblers
- A play pool with a beach entry and a large SCS play structure
featuring the "Bucket Falls" bucket
- A spray pool, which is a padded area with sprays and bubblers
- 2 two-story water slides
- A waterfall
- A party room available for birthday parties and other rentals
- Concession operations including an outdoor grill
- Outdoor water fitness classes: deep water aerobics & river
walking
- Summer dive clinic
- Outdoor swim lessons
- Pool partners
- Pool pals
- Advanced pool pals
- Ballwin Blue Dolphins Swim & Dive Team
Ballwin Golf Course & Club House
Ballwin Golf Course located at 333 Holloway Road is a fun and challenging 9-hole facility that can play up to 3,433 yards in length for the big hitters and as short as 2,703 yards for the finesse golfers. Formerly known as Fox Creek Country Club, the City acquired the course and buildings in 1974. Since taking over the course, the City has completely remodeled, reseeded, and rebuilt all nine bent grass greens (as well as the practice green) and has converted the fairways, green surrounds and trees from Kentucky Bluegrass to the more "golfer friendly," Meyers Zoysia. While there is no driving range, there is a two-person practice cage and a practice green golfers can use to loosen up their swing and refine their touch before starting.
The golf clubhouse and snack bar were remodeled in 1994 to provide a more attractive and handicap accessible facility for both the golfers and for those who rent the facility for weddings, banquets and meetings. A full selection of hot-dogs, sandwiches, soft drinks, chips, candy and beer are available to eat in, or eat out, whichever you prefer. The attached banquet hall can accommodate up to 240 guests and hosts more than 100 events per year.
Traditionally recognized as the best public, 9-hole facility in the area, and the former home of P.G.A. Champion Bob Tway, the course was recently awarded St. Louis Magazine's prestigious "Editors' Choice Award" in 2003 for "Best Quality Golf." The facility also serves as the host course for the Gateway P.G.A. Nine Hole Junior Championship, the annual Men's & Ladies Ballwin Days Tournaments as well as many other competitive and fun events throughout the year. The course is also available for your family, business, or neighborhood, golf "get together".
The Ballwin Golf Club Banquet Facility is available to rent for private parties including wedding receptions. The banquet hall includes a dance floor, a bar area and full kitchen facilities.
Agostino's Gp Restaurant
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill
Arby's
Blimpie Subs & Salads
Boston Market
Burger King
Cafe Campagnard
Callier's Catering Service & Deli
Charlotte's Rib Bbq
Chef's Express at Schnucks
Chevy's Fresh Mex Restaurant
Choi's Sushi Bar & Restaurant
City Limits
Clancy's Irish Pub & Grill
Crazy Bowls & Wraps
Dairy Queen
Darbaar Fast Food Restaurant
Domino's Pizza
Donrich Inc
Dynasty Chinese Restaurant
El Maguey Mexican Restaurant
Frailey's Pub & Grill
Frick's Bar & Grill
Gina's Food & Spirits
Giovanni's Little Place
Golden Wok
Great Chef Gardens
Hardee's
Harry's West
Hunan & Peking Garden
Hunan Express
Ice & Fuel West
Imo's Pizza
Imperial Garden
International House of Pancakes
Jack in The Box
Jake's Pizza
KFC
Krieger's Pub & Grill
Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken
Lion's Choice
Long John Silver's
Longhorn Steakhouse
Mandarin Wok Restaurant
Manee Thai
Massa's Restaurant
McDonald's
Mi Lupita
Mr. Goodcents Subs & Pastas
Mulligan's Grill
Nicoletti's Steak & Pasta
Old Country Buffet
Opaa Food Management Inc
Outback Steakhouse
Papa John's Pizza
Paso Del Norte Inc
Pasta House Co
Patio Place Tea Room & Restaurant
Pizza Hut
Ponderosa Steakhouse
Quizno's Classic Subs
Rizzo's Restaurant West County
S & P Oyster Co
Seventh Inn
Sonic Drive-in
St. Louis Bread Co
Steak N Shake
Sub Shop
Subway Sandwiches & Salads
Victoria's Kitchen Ice Cream
Wendy's
Yangzee
Zhivago's Russian Restaurant
