Carr Square - Saint Louis, MO

Three historical sites call tiny Carr Square their home. The Pruitt-Igoe Urban Housing Project, now made up of woodland and public schools, housed over 3,000 residents. The most magnificent of the three, St. Stanislaus Kostka Polish Catholic Church, shows off the best of Polish cathedral-style architecture in the Midwest, retains a high population of members of Polish descent, and sits at 1413 North 20th Street.

Architect William B. Ittner designed The Carr School, built in 1908 and located on the corner of Carr and North 15th Streets. His remarkable design created two outer walls of the school with intricate mosaics of children studying and playing. The school closed in 1983, and proposed restoration never came to fruition. Photographers and historians still treasure its existence. The National Register of Historical Places lists both The Carr School and The St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.

Two superb food establishments shine in Carr Square. Kram Fish sells the freshest fish in all of St. Louis. This simple fish stand prides itself on fresh buffalo (a fish native to the river), catfish, carp, tilapia, jack salmon, and shrimp. Established in 1904, Kram Fish has no website, and they don't advertise, preferring instead to rely on old-fashioned word of mouth. You can talk to their customers all over St. Louis regarding their vivid memories buying aquatic show-stoppers from Kram Fish for their family celebrations and parties. Go to the northwest corner of Biddle and North 13th Street between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday for a soul-fish experience.

Just around two corners to the north of Kram Fish lies The Rib Shack on Cass and North 13th Street. The Rib Shack features what they call Southern-soul barbecue plates and sandwiches, a family atmosphere, and a staff that takes an active role in the community by hosting a school supply giveaway every August. Customers rave about their pulled pork, meatloaf, sweet potato fries dusted with brown sugar, and their homemade lemon cake.

Traffic generally moves briskly through Interstates I-40, I-44, I-64, and I-70 even during rush hour. One bicycle lane cuts through Carr Square on North 20th Street, which runs north-south through the neighborhood right past St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. Several bus stops dot the neighborhood served by Metro St. Louis, the city's public transportation authority. You won't see any taxis or cab stands in Carr Square, but you can find them in nearby downtown St. Louis and within walking distance. Parking throughout Carr Square is free.

Carr Square residents enjoy three parks. The Murphy Park Pavilion, located on the north side of the neighborhood, serves as a great location for family picnics and children's play, featuring baseball fields, basketball courts, and horseshoe pits. Just two blocks to the southwest lies DeSoto Park, which boasts an international adult semi-pro soccer league. Players travel from Mexico, Central and South America, Bosnia, Croatia, and Poland to pit their skills against hometown St. Louis soccer athletes.

William C. Carr built and presented The Loretta Hall Park to the City of St. Louis with the stipulation that it was to be used "forever as a square" in 1864. You can find this park in the neighborhood's southeast corner, and while not exactly a square, it contains softball fields and basketball courts. The three parks don't charge for parking and they welcome dogs on a leash.

Carr Square experiences a cost of living approximately nine percent lower than the average in St. Louis and approximately 17 percent lower than the national average. Housing in the area is extremely affordable with the average cost of rent around $430 a month, which is approximately 52 percent lower than the national average.

Several corner markets are located just a few blocks southeast of Carr Square, and Downtown St. Louis offers a variety of terrific shopping destinations, and many are within walking distance. You'll also find several unique shops surrounding Saint Louis University, which is located just outside Carr Square. Just south of the neighborhood, you'll find a collection of boutiques and shops such as Chameleon FaB Boutique, which has become the premiere spot for fashion and beauty.