Lafayette Park forms a beautiful 30 acre anchor for the Lafayette Square neighborhood which surrounds it.

Established by city ordinance in 1851, it is the oldest developed urban park in the Louisiana Purchase territory acquired from France in 1803.

Here are some photos I took this weekend in and around the park during the House and Garden Tour.

It’s the 250th anniversary of St. Louis! These 250th anniversary birthday cakes are in hundreds of spots around St. Louis. Some people are seeing how many they can “capture” with selfies. I have captured just this one, by Lafayette Park.

The St. Louis Perfectos played Vintage Base Ball in the park, according to the rules and customs of the 1860s. Check your local sports media for the results.

The trolley…

This is the park entrance on Park Avenue, nearest to my house, which is on MacKay, right off of Park.

The Boat House by the lake. And three old cannons from the Revolutionary War. The cannons were donated to Lafayette Park by a veterans group in 1897.

A monument to George Washington. I don’t know why.

The lake in Lafayette Park. And some nesting swans. A monument to Christopher Columbus. I don’t know why.

The gazebo.

The Park House, which serves as an office for the Lafayette Square Restoration Committee.

Upcoming events.