Sappington - Saint Louis, MO

The neighborhood is named for John S. Sappington, a doctor who developed anti-malaria medication that saved countless lives of people living, and working, in marshy river areas and tropical zones all over the world. The Missouri Territory's opportunities for profit motivated him to move his family to present day Sappington from Tennessee in 1819. Over the years, this humble farming community grey into a suburb of St. Louis, which is still very much a quieter rural environment.

In 1826, United States officials named Jefferson Barracks Historical Park, a former important military post, after Thomas Jefferson. This was the first permanent military base west of the Mississippi and was established to maintain stability in the recently acquired Missouri Territory. The U.S. Army operated America's first Infantry School from 1846 until 1946 at the original military post, which trained brave patriots who defended American interests in the Mexican-American War, Civil War, multiple Indian campaigns, WWI and WWII. Tourists can easily explore the original stone buildings despite the fact that its now owned and operated by the MIssouri National Guard.

Plenty of restaurants scattered around the commercial zones offer a wide variety for different palates, and several serve home-style food that make this community special.

Check out O'Leary's on Lindbergh Boulevard for some authentic Irish corned beef and cabbage. If that's not to your taste, try the homemade potato soup or the apple-walnut salad with balsamic dressing for a starter and progress to the whiskey salmon entree with sweet potato fries for a taste explosion.

At Roberto's Trattoria in Concord Village, Chef Roberto Zanti prepares traditional, old-country Italian cuisine in his kitchen. Order a tender veal saltimbocca with an American or European wine, or choose a selection from the seafood menu, all of it fresh and delivered daily. If you have a quiet or romantic evening in mind, be sure to request a table in the back dining room, because the front room near the bar and the kitchen buzz with conversation and busy wait staff.

The Sappington Lounge attracts a variety of customers, from long-time regulars to people just passing through. The Riverfront Times awarded this lounge the title of "Best Neighborhood Bar" in South County, and warn new customers not to let the state of the exterior stop them from walking in the door. Reasonable beer prices plus complimentary pretzels and chips make it a favorite among locals. Contemporary entertainment additions include a flat screen TV and computer games.

People living in Sappington primarily use their vehicles to get around, but there is ample space for walking as well. Bicycle enthusiasts will also notice a few routes within housing subdivisions and at nearby parks. Future residents should be cognisant however of the fact that there are not any dedicated lanes available for everyday commuting.

I-270 E connects to I-55, allowing residents fairly easy access to St. Louis. Metro St. Louis Transit operates bus routes 48 and 110 in the Sappington area, but no Metrolink rail stations serve this community. Therefore, people must take a bus to the nearest Metrolink station. All of the commercial entities provide free parking, so no need exists for public parking fees. Residents can call one of two taxi companies or Uber in St. Louis for curbside pick-up and delivery service.

Two parks, while not within the boundaries of Sappington, lie very close to the community. A short distance to the east is Clydesdale Park, where people can walk their dogs or jog. It also has a large picnic pavilion and a small playground for children. Serious bicyclists can ride beside Gravois Creek through several neighborhoods on Grant's Trail, an eight mile, dedicated cycling route which shoots off in two directions from Clydesdale Park.

Visitors trek from all over America to see the Civil War Museum at the park. In 2012, park officials added two miles of bicycle trail to complement Grant's Trail, but it doesn't intersect with the Clydesdale Park routes. The Amphitheatre, found in the historical section, can accommodate up to 5,000 people. Jefferson Barracks hosts an annual 5K Walk/Run for the Heroes every October and a Holiday Santa Walk in December. Walking trails meander through the park and cemetery, and the park welcomes dogs.

The cost of living in Sappington is 8.8% higher than the rest of the St. Louis area, but because of its unincorporated status, the reported cost of living is skewed slightly by the nearby town of Fenton. One-bedroom apartments rent from around $600 to over $1,000 per month, with the median price set at $750. The St. Louis Metro Transit system accepts cash fares on both the rail and bus route systems, which are $2.50 and $2, respectively. A domestic beer will set you back between $2.50 and $4.

Several Sappington grocery stores and pharmacies supply residents' needs. Two grocery stores -- Schnucks and Dierbergs -- provide everyday groceries as well as pharmacy services. For gourmet food, residents travel to Straub's Grocery. Only a few miles northeast, Schlafly Farmers' Market at the Schlafly Bottleworks plant in Maplewood showcases fresh produce and crafts by local artisans.

The Women's Closet Exchange on Gravios Road specializes in designer resale women's apparel. The Association of Resale Professionals recognizes this store as one of the best in the nation. Customers shop here because of the availability of designer products like Tiffany and Gucci at greatly-reduced prices. Clique, a sister store that caters to teenage fashion and accessories, is located two miles north on Gravios Road.

The South County Antique Mall on Tesson Ferry Road opens their doors to loyal shoppers seven days a week. It takes at least an hour to browse the vendor booths, but many customers spend much more time than that, and people come from all around St. Louis County to shop collections dating back to the early 19th century. Wear comfortable shoes, because exploring every booth in the huge building requires hours on your feet.