At Home in Historic Saint Joseph, Missouri
Saint Joseph, Missouri is one of America's best kept secrets
in terms of historic architecture. Founded in 1843, St. Joseph
quickly grew to become one of the most important sites of
commerce and trade for the western continent. Early on it
was at the forefront of advances in transportation and communication.
The Pony Express, transcontinental telegraph, a convergence
of early railroads, and the Missouri River bridge made St.
Joseph an entrepôt for western commerce and trade. During
the Victorian Era, St. Joseph was a major manufacturing center
and attracted labor as far away as Eastern Europe. Products
such as Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix, Premium Saltine Crackers,
St. Joseph's Aspirin, Big Chief Tablets, Cherry Mash Candy,
and Country Club Beer are just some of the products first
produced in St. Joseph.
Vast wealth generated by St. Joseph's manufacturing and wholesale
trade is reflected in our city's extraordinary architecture.
Architects working here in the 19th century studied at the
finest schools in Europe and America, such Paris' Ecole des
Beaux-Arts. Their works in St. Joseph reflect the heights
of fashion and design of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
St. Joseph's early progressive attitude toward public improvements
also shaped our community. We were among the earliest American
cities to have electric telephone service, and electric streetcar
system, and a municipal airport. For a few years, St. Joseph
even had more miles of electric streetcar lines than New York
City! Building an extensive network of parkways and boulevards
was begun in 1912 under the vision of famed landscape architect
George Kessler.
Today, St. Joseph boasts an excellent quality of life, including:
- Exceptionally affordable cost of living;
- Median home costs 59% of the national average;
- No traffic congestion and no rush hour;
- Exceptionally low crime rate;
- Walkable neighborhoods;
- 26 miles of parkways and bike trails connecting
to 40 parks;
- Strong school system, including a local college;
and
- Only 30 minutes by interstate to Kansas City International
Airport. Just 55 minutes to downtown Kansas City.
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