Fenton, Missouri

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Fenton, Missouri
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Fenton Main Street (40387037681).jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Main Street in Fenton (February 2018)
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map = St._Louis_County_Missouri_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Fenton_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location within [[St. Louis County, Missouri|St. Louis County]] and [[Missouri]]
|image_map1               = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=y|frame-width=290|frame-height=270|frame-align=center|stroke-width=3|zoom=12|frame-coordinates={{Coord|38.5275|-90.448611}}|type=shape-inverse|stroke-color=#808080|id=Q952926}}
|map_caption1             = Interactive map outlining Fenton

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates              = {{coord|38|31|39|N|90|26|55|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Missouri]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Missouri|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[St. Louis County, Missouri|St. Louis]]

|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Bob Brasses
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1818
|established_title2       = Incorporated
|established_date2        = 1948

<!-- Area -->
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=August 28, 2022}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 17.07
|area_land_km2            = 16.24
|area_water_km2           = 0.83
|area_total_sq_mi         = 6.59
|area_land_sq_mi          = 6.27
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.32
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 413

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
|population_est           = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 3989
|population_density_km2   = 245.58
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_demonym       = Fentonian, Fentonling

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|postal_code_type         = [[Zip code]]
|postal_code              = 63026
|area_code                = [[area code 636|636]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 29-23950
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2394757<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2394757}}</ref>
|website                  = [http://www.fentonmo.org/ fentonmo.org]
|population_density_sq_mi = 636.10
}}
[[File:Bicycle party resting in Fenton, Missouri, 12 September 1897.jpg|thumb|Bicycle party resting in Fenton, Missouri, September 12, 1897]]

'''Fenton''' is a city in [[St. Louis County, Missouri]], United States, and a suburb of [[St. Louis County, Missouri|St. Louis County]]. The population was 3,989 at the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]].

==History==
Due to its proximity to fertile land and the [[Meramec River]], the Fenton area has been inhabited for over 900 years. The earliest proof of ancient dwellers was excavated from the "Fenton Mounds", two conical earthen burial mounds located near the southwestern border of Fenton. Diagnostic pottery shards from the mounds indicate they date from the [[Mississippian culture|Mississippian]] times, A.D. 1050 - 1400.<ref>[http://web.missouri.edu/~wescottd/docs/Wescott%202008%20Fenton%20Mounds.pdf "2008 Bioarchaeological Analysis of the Fenton Mounds," Wescott, Daniel J., Missouri Archaeologist 68]{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 2001, the mounds were leveled, by developer Gary Grewe, for construction of a [[Walmart]] Supercenter.<ref>[https://www.riverfronttimes.com/stlouis/grave-losses/Content?oid=2470341 "Grave Losses: Lax laws and uncaring bureaucrats cause Missouri to erase another prehistoric mound" Batz, Jeannette. Riverfront Times. October 31, 2001]</ref>

The Fenton territory was occupied by Native Americans and early settlers in the 1770s. William Lindsay Long founded the city of Fenton on March 23, 1818. The original eight-square-block area is now referred to as "Old Towne Fenton". The city remained unincorporated for the next 130 years. Garrett Hitzert was the city's first mayor after incorporation in 1948, and his leadership helped build the foundation that much of the city's ongoing prosperity has been based on. He conceived of Fenton's expansive commercial business and industrial district that is a centerpiece of the city's fiscal success.<ref>[http://www.fentonhistory.com/archives/history-of-fenton/ "A Brief History of Fenton." Fenton Historical Society.]{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Geography==
Fenton is located approximately two miles south of [[I-44]] along the west bank of the [[Meramec River]]. The intersection of Missouri routes [[Missouri Route 30|30]] and [[Missouri Route 141|141]] lies just to the west.<ref>''Missouri Atlas & Gazetteer,'' DeLorme, 1st ed., 1998, p. 41 {{isbn|0899332242}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|6.38|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|6.05|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.33|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2012-07-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-01-25 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1900= 160
|1910= 172
|1920= 146
|1930= 237
|1940= 171
|1950= 207
|1960= 1059
|1970= 2275
|1980= 2417
|1990= 3346
|2000= 4360
|2010= 4022
|2020= 3989
|align-fn=center
|footnote=[https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html U.S. Decennial Census]<br>[https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2011/tables/SUB-EST2011-03-29.csv 2011 estimate]
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-07-08}}</ref> of 2010, there were 4,022 people, 1,549 households, and 1,176 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|664.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,611 housing units at an average density of {{convert|266.3|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.5% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.4% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.1% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.2% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.3% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.3% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.9% of the population.

There were 1,549 households, of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 24.1% were non-families. 19.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.94.

The median age in the city was 46.7 years. 21.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19% were from 25 to 44; 37.3% were from 45 to 64; and 16% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.8% male and 51.2% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 4,360 people, 1,587 households, and 1,239 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|710.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,631 housing units at an average density of {{convert|265.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.98% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.39% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.16% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.94% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.18% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.34% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.80% of the population.

There were 1,587 households, out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.9% were non-families. 18.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 29.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $74,708, and the median income for a family was $80,536. Males had a median income of $56,425 versus $34,514 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $29,658. About 0.6% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
Major corporations in the city include [[Tacony Corporation]] and [[Nooter/Eriksen|Nooter Eriksen]] Corporation (makers of industrial equipment), [[Sachs Electric]], UniGroup (owners of [[United Van Lines]] and [[Mayflower Transit]], Wolff Shoe, [[Maritz, LLC|Maritz]], [[Fabick Caterpillar]], and [[8th Avenue Food & Provisions]]. Retail Technology Group, a major national point-of-sale supplier, is based in Fenton. Fenton contains a large [[industrial park]] and a newly developed logistics park located on the former Chrysler Assembly site.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

=== Chrysler ===
{{Main|Saint Louis Assembly}}
The former [[Chrysler]] North and South assembly plants were located on North Highway Drive in Fenton. Opened in 1959 and easily visible from Interstate 44, the Chrysler plant was a cornerstone of the Fenton economy for decades. A residential area was even built near the plant with street names like Fury, Imperial, Dart, and Valiant. In its later years, the South plant assembled [[Chrysler minivans]] such as the [[Chrysler Town & Country]] and the [[Dodge Grand Caravan]], while the North plant assembled the [[Dodge Ram]] truck. The South plant ceased operations in 2008, while the North plant shut down for good in July 2009.  In 2013 the site was considered as a possible location for a new stadium for the [[St. Louis Rams]] if renovations to the [[Edward Jones Dome]] did not materialize.<ref name="stltoday1">{{cite web|url=http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/a-new-stadium-for-the-st-louis-rams/article_ec551966-d335-5d45-bd7a-c22e3f08ee75.html|title=A new stadium for the St. Louis Rams?|last=Hunn|first=David|date=2012-07-23|publisher=Stltoday|access-date=2013-01-13}}</ref> In 2014 a local St. Louis real estate developer purchased the empty 300-acre lot to develop 240 acres of offices, businesses, and industrial buildings, with the remaining 60 acres primarily designated for retail use.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://fox2now.com/2015/06/25/plans-set-for-new-development-on-fenton-chrysler-plant/|title=Plans set for new development on Fenton Chrysler plant|website=FOX2now.com|date=25 June 2015 |access-date=2016-04-25}}</ref>

==Athletics==
{{unreferenced section|date=February 2023}}
The immediate Fenton area is home to some of the most prestigious youth soccer clubs in the nation. The [[St. Louis Soccer Park]] abuts the Fenton city limits. It hosts multiple professional and semi-professional soccer matches. St. Louis Soccer Park has hosted several United States qualifier games for both the [[1988 Summer Olympics]] and the [[1990 FIFA World Cup]]. The [[Saint Louis FC]] of the [[USL Championship]] play their home games at St. Louis Soccer Park. St. Louis Soccer Park is home to SLSG, a soccer academy founded and coached by Scott Gallagher. In 2012, the U18 team from SLSG played a match against the US Soccer U18 team. Fenton itself is home to the Fenton Athletic Association. [[Ice hockey]] is also a popular sport in Fenton. The Fenton Forum is home to the [[Rockwood Summit High School|Rockwood Summit]] Falcons ice hockey team as well as the Affton Americans youth and Tier II ice hockey clubs for many home games. Every year, the [[Missouri Fall Face-Off]] [[NCAA]] [[lacrosse]] competition takes place in Fenton.

== Parks ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2009}}

Fenton is called the "City of Parks" owing to its extensive park and recreation system. The City has seven fully developed parks on 350-plus acres, including soccer fields, ball diamonds, sand volleyball courts, basketball courts, tennis courts, playgrounds, fishing ponds, and approximately three miles of bike/pedestrian paths through the City. The parks include: Fenton City Park, Bud Weil Memorial Park, Fenton Meramec Greenway, Olde Towne Plaza Riverside Park, Valiant Park, and Westside Park. Plans are being developed for the former Fabick property in the heart of the City. These plans include trails and some passive uses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fentonmochamber.com/parks-department.htm|title=Fenton Area Chamber of Commerce - Parks Department|website=www.fentonmochamber.com|access-date=2016-06-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414061414/http://www.fentonmochamber.com/parks-department.htm|archive-date=2016-04-14|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Heroes Memorial ===
In the spring of 2004 the Mayor of Fenton, Dennis J. Hancock, and the members of the Park Board (Board Chair Glen Scholle and members Jeff Bodi, Charles Jahneke, Mike Lucas, Steve Covault, Gregg Cleveland, Diana Biras and Nannette Clark) determined that their city should build a memorial to the victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. It was also determined that the memorial would honor police, firefighters, EMS personnel, and all veterans.

==Education==
The City of Fenton is served by the [[Rockwood School District|Rockwood]], [[Northwest R-I School District|Northwest]], and [[Lindbergh High School (St. Louis)|Lindbergh]] school districts. [[Rockwood Summit High School]] is located in Fenton and is the primary high school for area students. One private school, St. Paul Catholic School, is located in Fenton.<ref>{{cite web |title=St. Paul Catholic School |url=http://stpaulcatholicschoolfenton.org/ |access-date=6 December 2018}}</ref> Two others, Our Savior Lutheran School and Heritage Classical Christian Academy, are located adjacent to the city limits. The Meramec Valley Branch of the [[St. Louis County Library]] system is in Fenton,<ref>"[http://www.slcl.org/branches/mv/ Meramec Valley Branch] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826131935/http://www.slcl.org/branches/mv/ |date=2009-08-26 }}." [[St. Louis County Library]]. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.</ref> although a new, larger facility is open just outside the city limits.<ref>{{cite web |title=Meramec Valley Branch - St Louis County Library |url=https://www.slcl.org/content/meramec-valley-branch |access-date=6 December 2018}}</ref>

==Notable people==
*[[Josh Arnold]], host on [[The Bob & Tom Show]]
*[[Brian Boehringer]], former pitcher for the [[New York Yankees]] and [[San Francisco Giants]]
*[[Nicole Galloway]], State Auditor of Missouri
*[[Joyce Meyer]], Christian author and speaker
*[[Jackson Rutledge]], pitcher for the [[Washington Nationals]]
*[[Ken Schrader]], NASCAR driver
*[[Mike Wallace (racing driver)|Mike Wallace]], stock car racing driver
*[[Brandon Williams (defensive tackle)|Brandon Williams]], NFL defensive lineman

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.fentonmo.org City of Fenton official website]
* [http://www.fentonhistory.com/ Fenton Historical Society]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040701134546/http://www.city-data.com/city/ Fenton-Missouri.html City Data]
* [http://www.fentonmochamber.com/ Fenton Area Chamber of Commerce]

{{St. Louis County, Missouri}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in St. Louis County, Missouri]]
[[Category:Cities in Missouri]]