1962

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On the Edge of Change in the City
Saint Louis University Expands its Campus

   Saint Louis University always has maintained an extremely close relationship with the city of St. Louis. From its earliest days as a 19th century frontier college and virtually the only source of instruction for the young men of St. Louis, to the late 20th century and the age of the modern university, Saint Louis University has been an important partner in the growth and development of St. Louis. As the decades of the 20th century passed, St. Louis, like most large American cities, struggled with the numerous issues associated with urban decline. These issues included lost population, lower tax revenues, fewer jobs, and deteriorating housing.

   While the city was grappling with these difficulties, Saint Louis University was faced with a choice. The University was given the opportunity to close its midtown campus and move to more spacious and well-appointed surroundings outside the city in St. Louis County. Or it could remain in its current location in the city and contend with the issues facing a struggling urban area. Saint Louis University decided that to be true to its mission meant that the University must stay where it was in the city and contribute to the redevelopment of St. Louis.

   In 1962, aided by a gift of more than $1 million from Mrs. Harriet Frost Fordyce, Saint Louis University purchased more than 22 acres of property east of Grand Avenue in what was known as the Mill Creek area of St. Louis. At the time, Mill Creek was among the poorest neighborhoods in the city. On this property the University erected six new buildings, including a student union (Busch Memorial Center), a complex of science facilities, underground lecture halls and a new home for the College of Arts and Sciences (Ritter Hall). In recognition of Mrs. Fordyce’s gift, the University’s main campus was named “Frost Campus” in honor of her father, General Daniel Frost. Frost commanded the Missouri militia which was encamped on this site site in 1861 when Union forces surrounded and captured them in what became known as the "Camp Jackson Affair."

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