Westmoreland and Portland Places: The History and Architecture of America's Premier Private Streets, 1888-1988 Volume 1

A wonderful book with great photos of some of the most awesome homes I have ever seen. riding my bicycle in that area of St. Louis often and driving by those wonderful old neighborhoods makes it special to see who built the homes and when. As for being thrown out of the neighborhood. I too had that experience. At a Central West End open house a few years ago I spoke with a lady that was the chair of that organization. She said that if I'd call and let them know I was going to walk or bike through the area, she didn't think it would be a problem. I called on a Saturday and no one was there, so my friend and I rode our bicycles in. We met three of the area residents and all were quite gracious and understood our love of the architecture. I'd recommend if you wish to "tour" the area, you contact them, and let them know who you are and why are wanting to go. I do understand to an extent their concerns. Lastly, so many well preserved and wonderful homes. So glad someone made a book about them. Steve

Anyone with an interest in historic homes should own this book, especially if you live in Saint Louis. It's beautifully printed, and full of interesting information about almost every single house in what is one of Saint Louis' premier neighborhoods. I will say that if you want interior photos the book is slightly lacking in that area, and floorplans of more homes would have been nice to see. However, the book is very comprehensive and gives a fascinating history of the development of these areas, as well as the people who comissioned these homes. This book is on a table in my living room, and guests always pick it up and are drawn in when they start flipping through the pages. Perhaps because we live in Saint Louis and therefore have a "personal" connection to the homes in the the book because we can see them, but it really is an interesting look at the architecture of the period.

Should you actually wish to drive down either Westmoreland or Portland Places, expect an unnessecarily rude treatment from what must be the local rent-a-cop. It matters not the price of your car or attire- you might get (as I did) threatened to be "thrown in jail for trespassing", and lectured as if you were an idiot. Other students of architecture beware. It happened to me, and judging by the character of the "gentleman" in question, I'm just glad I'm not black. I escaped without kissing the hood of my car.

I love this book. It has tons of beautiful exterior photos but I would like to see more historical photos and more interior shots. I would also love to see more recounts by the people who lived there. There are a few stories and I read them over and over. I'd really like to give this book a four and a half but that's not an option.

Congratulations to all that contributed to this outstanding book. The history of the Places was carefully and completely researched and presented with beautiful photographs.