About the City

The City of Richmond Heights, Missouri is a home rule, council-manager suburb of St. Louis County. It is ideally located at the intersection of Interstates 64 and 170 in the heart of the St. Louis metro area. It is minutes away from many major features, and attractions available in the area like Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, downtown St. Louis and its riverfront attractions, Forest Park, and St. Louis County government headquarters.

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The City of Richmond Heights has a total area of 2.30 square miles (5.96 km2).

Census Information - Quick Facts about Richmond Heights, Missouri

Brief History of Richmond Heights

One local legend credits Civil War general Robert E. Lee with the name, although this appears to be speculation. According to a St. Louis newspaper, local realtor John Ranken gave Richmond Heights its name in 1901.

Area historical authorities have connected the beginning of the city’s development to a substantial section of land that, at one point, was owned by Frederick Neisen, a well-to-do real estate man from St. Louis. Neisen initially acquired the land from Arman Francois Robert, the Count of Giverville of the Cabanne family. After obtaining this piece of land in 1892, Neisen constructed a mansion near what is now the intersection of Dale and Bellevue Avenues. Several families joined him in the area over the next several years.
The 1904 World’s Fair brought in John Rankin Dyer, a developer who purchased 120 acres just south of Neisen’s property. Over the years, Neisen and Dyer worked together to develop more homes in the area. By December 29, 1913, when the City of Richmond Heights’ was officially incorporated, the population reached ~500. The Evens & Howard Fire Brick Co. was instrumental in the establishment of the African-American neighborhoods in the city. 

Niche-2021-Best-PlacesProminent residents who have called Richmond Heights home include aviator Charles Lindbergh, filmmaker Henry Hampton Jr., engineer Leif Sverdrup, tennis champion Arthur Ashe, musicians and performers Chuck Berry, Mae Wheeler, and Doris Fiddmont Frazier, sportscaster Jack Buck, sculptor Ernest Trova, and many more.

Richmond Heights has been ranked very high as a place to live, raise a family, go to school, and more according to Niche.com, like the 2022 #1 Best Place to Live in Missouri! See all of the City's rankings here.

Richmond Heights Historical Society (RHHS)

The Richmond Heights Historical Society (RHHS) was established in 1982 to collect, organize, and preserve artifacts, photographs, personal histories and memorabilia recording the history of the city and its people; and further to educate people about this history and make the archives accessible for ongoing research and programming. For more information, contact the RHHS President and City Archivist, Joellen Gamp McDonald via email at jgmcdona@sbcglobal.net.

In 2020, RHHS donated much of their collection to the State Historical Society of MO (SHSMO), making it easier for the general public to view. The records can be viewed here

JacketMuch more information can be found in the book, Richmond Heights, 1868-1940 by Joellen Gamp McDonald and Ruth Nichols Keenoy. It can be found in the Richmond Heights Memorial Library here

Historical Markers

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Ashe-Hudlin Park & Historical Marker
On April 15, 2018, the City and the RH Historical Society dedicated the Ashe-Hudlin Park/Parklet located at 1221 Laclede Station Rd.  

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New Lincoln School Historical Marker
On November 24, 2019, the City, RH Historical Society, Lutheran Senior Services, Lutheran Foundation, and Richmond Terrace Assisted Living dedicated the New Lincoln School Historical Marker located at 1633 Laclede Station Rd.

City of Richmond Heights Mission Statement

Our mission is to assure the health, safety, and well-being of our community and be a model of effective and efficient local government service. We believe it is important to listen to and stay in touch with our citizens, being sensitive and responsive to their needs. We believe, as trustees of public resources, we are obligated to work in the most efficient and effective manner possible.
We believe through planning and innovation, we will provide a vision for the future.

City of Richmond Heights Statement of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The City of Richmond Heights strives toward fairness, inclusion, and equity for all who work, live and visit our community and to serve as a trustworthy model of open, effective and efficient local government service. In order to serve everyone, we must include everyone. Everyone matters.


2019 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Report here.
2022 DIversity, Equity, and Inclusion Report here.