Welcome to the heart of greater St. Louis, where the tree-lined streets of Webster Groves hold stories at every turn. With a population hovering around 23,000 as of the latest census, the community has quietly preserved a distinctive identity while growing up in the shadow of its more famous neighbor.

Here the pulse of daily life mixes with traditions, the arts, and local lore. The city is especially known for its arts festivals, its historic architecture, and as home to a respected seminary and Webster University. Though the university itself draws attention, the way families, students, and longtime residents all share civic life gives the place its texture.

Walking through the neighborhoods, one senses that the built fabric retains many original touches: century-old homes, unusual corner lots, streets that curve gently rather than following a rigid grid. Among less obvious facts, Robert A. Holekamp, a notable local figure of the early 20th century, was a German-born entrepreneur and apiarist who helped establish lumber and real estate development enterprises here, shaping many residential subdivisions. The oldest public library in St. Louis County sits here: the Webster Groves Public Library dates to 1911, but its roots trace back to a small reading room begun in 1884 under the auspices of a local church.

Folklore whispers that when early railroad tracks arrived, riders would claim that during foggy winter mornings the steam engines would pass so closely that you could hear children’s laughter carried in the air, as though spirits of past schoolchildren rode the rails. Whether that’s fanciful or grounded in overheard voices, locals still tease that on misty mornings you might glimpse silhouettes darting along the tracks. The railroad heritage remains visible today in older station facades and in the way the city’s original five settlements—Webster, Old Orchard, Webster Park, Tuxedo Park, and Selma—merged to create a unified municipality in 1896.

For food lovers, this area offers memorable experiences. Cyrano’s Cafe, located at 603 East Lockwood Avenue, commands attention for its award-winning desserts and a menu that ranges from New Orleans BBQ shrimp to bread pudding famed across the region. Recently it unveiled a remodeled bar area and expanded its cocktail offerings, adding craft creations such as a Bourbon Coffee Old-Fashioned and new mocktails. A favorite is the caramel brioche bread pudding drizzled with cherry bourbon sauce. Then there’s Olive + Oak, in the Old Webster district, known for its hyper-seasonal menu, local sourcing, and an evolving cocktail bar led by a creative mixologist who mists finishing ingredients to accent aroma. Diners often praise dishes like blue crab gratin, charred octopus, ribeye, and house-made desserts.

Retail and service establishments also help define life here. The city maintains a strong network of local operators, from small family shops to professional service firms. One longstanding local business is the Green Door Art Gallery, which exhibits works by regional artists and fosters arts engagement. Historic houses like the Hawken House are open for occasional tours through the Webster Groves Historical Society, offering a peek at 19th-century life.

When it comes to things to do, the calendar is rich. Each June the juried Webster Art Fair brings over one hundred artists to the campus of Eden Seminary, along with live music, fine food, and children’s workshops. In late October the Fall Fest spans three days, highlighting autumn flavors, craft retail, and community programming. The yearly Community Days around the Fourth of July include a parade, barbecue, and carnival organized by the Webster Groves Lions Club. The local high school rivalry also draws interest: during Thanksgiving the Statesmen of Webster Groves High often face Kirkwood High in the Missouri Turkey Day Game, part of a longstanding athletic tradition. In addition, music, open mic nights, gallery receptions, and neighborhood pop-ups frequently show up in the local events calendar.

A visitor might stroll through the old residential districts, stopping at smaller stores, local bookstores, or coffee shops. If interested in history, one might request a tour of one of the registered historic districts—Central Webster, Old Webster, or Marshall Place—and examine architectural styles from Colonial Revival to Tudor to Craftsman. For families, parks, art fairs, and seasonal events offer repeated opportunities to connect.

While the place retains some subtle mysteries and stories, it also works efficiently in daily life. People commute to nearby employment centers, and small local firms in architecture, design, landscaping, specialty retail, and professional services flourish among residential areas.

We at McIntosh Construction believe that a place so rich in character deserves careful care. As you explore this community, you might realize the need for expert renovation, new construction, or preservation of historic details. We offer services in residential and commercial construction tailored to this kind of setting—whether restoring old façades, building additions that respect local aesthetics, or executing new designs according to the plans that we come up with together. Contact us today so we can discuss the best ways for us to help you bring your project to life with the craftmanship and attention to detail that you and your vision deserve.