The Grove, St. Louis

Formerly known as the Manchester Strip,[1] the retail drag was first developed in the late 19th century to serve the working-class population of Forest Park Southeast.

[3] The Grove is within walking distance of the Washington University Medical Center, Forest Park, and the Central West End and Cortex MetroLink light rail stations.

The Grove is also home to a growing number of public art pieces, primarily murals worked on by local artist Grace McCammond.

[5] Recently, The Grove became the first area in St. Louis to install an overhanging neon sign to mark the entry of the business district.

[8] A few blocks south of the main business corridor on Manchester Avenue is the Transgender Memorial Garden, believed to be the first of its kind in the nation.