Creve Coeur /ˈkriːv ˈkʊər/^[6] is a city located in west St. Louis County, Missouri, United States, a part of Greater St. Louis. The population was 17,833 at the 2010 census.^[7] Creve Coeur borders and shares a ZIP code (63141) with the neighboring city of Town and Country. It is home to the headquarters of Drury Hotels, and until its acquisition by Bayer in 2018, Monsanto.

History

The name crève cœur (French pronunciation: ​[krɛv kœʁ], heartbreak) is said to derive from Creve Coeur Lake. According to the city's website the tale goes that the lake "formed itself into a broken heart" after an Indian princess's unrequited love for a French fur trapper led her to jump "from a ledge overlooking" the lake. ^[8]

Written accounts and archaeological finds show that Native Americans inhabited the Creve Coeur area from 9500 B.C. to 1800 A.D. French explorers began farming and fishing in the area in the early 18th century, and fur trappers settled there in the early 19th century. When the area was acquired by the United States through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the Lewis and Clark Expedition came through Creve Coeur. During the American Civil War, men from the area served on both sides of the conflict, but most residents were southern sympathizers.^[9]

Creve Coeur was incorporated in 1949. Although there are cabins that are more than 200 years old (including two still in Conway Park) in the community, it grew primarily as a stopping point along Olive Boulevard (now Route 340) between University City and Creve Coeur Lake. It expanded faster following construction of Interstate 270 and U.S. Route 40.^[10]

The lake and its associated park of the same name, which was the first county park in St. Louis County, is now part of Maryland Heights to the north of Creve Coeur.

The City of Creve Coeur's Charter was adopted in 1976, providing for a Council-City Administrator form of government. The Mayor is elected by the voters while the City Council consists of eight members (two members representing each of four wards Council members are elected to serve staggered two-year terms). The Mayor is elected at large for a three-year term. The City Administrator is hired by the City Council and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city.^[12] Creve Coeur has 104 government employees.

The city is located in the 2nd Congressional District, 7th and 24th State Senate District, and 82nd and 87th State Representative Districts.

Ratings and accreditations

The City of Creve Coeur's Standard & Poor bond rating is AAA, one of only four such rated cities in the State of Missouri. ^[12] The city's Police Department is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., (CALEA).

Approximately 68% of Creve Coeur residents have college degrees; 33% have graduate or professional degrees.^[15]

Primary and secondary schools

Creve Coeur has a number of private and public elementary and middle schools including Our Lady of the Pillar, Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School, and St. Monica; and four private high schools (Saint Louis Priory School, De Smet Jesuit, Chaminade College Preparatory School, and Whitfield School).^[16] The western portion of Creve Coeur is part of the public Parkway School District. The eastern portion is served by the Ladue School District. Pattonville School District is also within the city limits of Creve Coeur.

Colleges and universities

Missouri Baptist University is located within the city of Creve Coeur along with Covenant Theological Seminary.

Health-care facilities in Creve Coeur include Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, which is home to a satellite facility of the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center. Creve couer also contains Mercy Hospital St. Louis.

Creve Coeur is recognized as a key node for technology, life and bio sciences, and medical services in the St. Louis region. It is home to Monsanto Corporation World Headquarters, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center & the Bio Research and Development Growth Park.^[17][18]

Isle of Capri Casinos moved its headquarters to Creve Coeur from Biloxi, Mississippi, in 2006.^[19] The state of Missouri and the city of Creve Coeur had offered Isle of Capri more than $4.2 million in tax incentives.^[20] In addition, Correctional Medical Services,^[21] Drury Hotels,^[22] have their headquarters in Creve Coeur.^[23]

Adam's Mark previously had its headquarters in the city.^[24][25]

Woemmel is a St. Louis based Plastering company with a concentration in Residential, Commercial, Ornamental, and Plater Repair.