Located just southwest of the St. Louis City limits lies Historic Maplewood, MO.  The land of modern-day Maplewood was first settled in 1826 by James Sutton when he purchased 334 acres of Gratiot land.  In 1848, Charles Rannells purchased 320 acres and built the Woodside homestead.  Sutton and Rannells would own most of present day Maplewood until the late 1800s, when their heirs would subdivide and sell the land to real estate investors.

In the 1890s, the Maplewood and Greenwood subdivisions were laid out and Maplewood began to see its first suburban residents.  Maplewood would become one of St. Louis’ first inner ring suburbs or Streetcar suburb.  When the streetcar service arrived in 1896, Maplewood’s population would grow from 200 to 4,000 by 1906.  After a devastating fire in January of 1908 residents began wondering if it was time to become their own community.  So, in March of that year Maplewood was incorporated as a city.  For decades Maplewood would become a shopping destination, economic hub and favored location to raise a family.

Through the decades, Maplewood would see it all, from devastating fires, a presidential campaign visit, economic downfall and rebirth.  Today, Maplewood remains a popular destination with its eclectic businesses, shops and restaurants.  With its tree-lined streets and turn of the 20th century homes, good schools and unique local businesses, Maplewood has once again become a popular location to live and raise a family.

Maplewood Time Line

• 1826 James Sutton purchases 334 acres of Gratiot land.
• 1848 Charles Rannells purchases 320 acres and builds Woodside
• 1890 Mary C. Marshell sells her share of Sutton land to real estate firm, Papin & Tantrup, the Maplewood subdivision is laid out.  Charles W. Sutton sells his share to real estate investor Moses Greenwood, Greenwood subdivision is laid out.
• 1896 Electric Streetcar service reaches Maplewood.
• 1905 Scheidt Hardware opens its doors for business.
• 1908 Maplewood incorporates as a city due to a devastating fire at Banner Lumber that burned down an entire city block earlier that year.
• 1909 Kalb Electric opens for business.
• 1916 Dynamite explodes in a shed owned by Cooney Construction.  The blast is heard for miles and damages 114 houses.  Despite this, Maplewood is named Favorite Neighborhood that year.  Saratoga Lanes opens it’s doors to bowlers.
  
• 1920s Maplewood enjoys economic success, becomes a shopping mecca for the area.  Population grows to 9,000.
• 1924 Sunnen Products Co. is formed and is still headquartered in Maplewood today.
• 1929 Cornerstone for High School designed by William B. Ittner is laid.
• 1938 The Maplewood Municipal Pool opens.  The WPA completed the Pool as well as other projects in Maplewood.  The Art Deco Pool building is now the home of the Maplewood Public Library.
• 1941 Maplewood Post Office officially opens.  Carl Mose crafts carved murals for the post office that are still on display today.
• 1950s The shopping mall and automobile cause a slow economic and population decline in Maplewood.
• 1960s Maplewood’s decline continues, Golde’s Department Store burns down, Presidential Nominee Kennedy visits Maplewood.  However, Maplewood Schools and Pool are de-segregated.
• 1970s  Maplewood Citizens begin to demand more from their local officials and in 1976 Maplewood adopts the charter form of governement.
• 1980s Maplewood Community Betterment Foundation is formed, Marty Corcoran is hired as City Manager and Maplewood begins to rebound.
• 1990s – 2000s Maplewood’s rebirth continues, it once again becomes a favored destination for shopping, dinning, entertainment and residential community.