Location #1

Piper Houses

Photo by David Carson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The Piper Palm House was built in 1878 and is the oldest greenhouse west of the Mississippi River. Originally built to house palm plants during the winter, it now serves as a setting for wedding receptions and other events. Immediately to the north is the nearly-identical Plant House, built in 1885. It serves as the park offices.

Location #2

Osage orange

Photo by David Carson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Among trees near the music stand stands what is likely the oldest in the park at more than 150 years old.

Location #3

Boundary markers

Photo by David Carson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Located near gates leading into the park, there are four pairs of pillars that were placed to mark off a 200-foot easement inside the park on which Shaw — a wealthy man not averse to making more money — planned to develop homes. Shaw's plan was to lease lots to people who would build homes that faced outward toward Magnolia and Arsenal streets. He planned to use the lease income to help fund operations at his nearby Missouri Botanical Garden. But the plan never took off because prospective homeowners found that the cheap and abundant farmland around the park offered them a chance to both own the home and the land. Shaw abandoned the plan and added the acreage to his donation.

Location #3

Boundary markers

Located near gates leading into the park, there are four pairs of pillars that were placed to mark off a 200-foot easement inside the park on which Shaw — a wealthy man not averse to making more money — planned to develop homes. Shaw's plan was to lease lots to people who would build homes that faced outward toward Magnolia and Arsenal streets. He planned to use the lease income to help fund operations at his nearby Missouri Botanical Garden. But the plan never took off because prospective homeowners found that the cheap and abundant farmland around the park offered them a chance to both own the home and the land. Shaw abandoned the plan and added the acreage to his donation.

Location #3

Boundary markers

Located near gates leading into the park, there are four pairs of pillars that were placed to mark off a 200-foot easement inside the park on which Shaw — a wealthy man not averse to making more money — planned to develop homes. Shaw's plan was to lease lots to people who would build homes that faced outward toward Magnolia and Arsenal streets. He planned to use the lease income to help fund operations at his nearby Missouri Botanical Garden. But the plan never took off because prospective homeowners found that the cheap and abundant farmland around the park offered them a chance to both own the home and the land. Shaw abandoned the plan and added the acreage to his donation.

Location #3

Boundary markers

Located near gates leading into the park, there are four pairs of pillars that were placed to mark off a 200-foot easement inside the park on which Shaw — a wealthy man not averse to making more money — planned to develop homes. Shaw's plan was to lease lots to people who would build homes that faced outward toward Magnolia and Arsenal streets. He planned to use the lease income to help fund operations at his nearby Missouri Botanical Garden. But the plan never took off because prospective homeowners found that the cheap and abundant farmland around the park offered them a chance to both own the home and the land. Shaw abandoned the plan and added the acreage to his donation.

Location #4

Lombardi poplars

Photo by David Carson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Shaw himself ordered trees to be precisely lined in an entrance configuration. These poplars recently replaced the European hornbeams that were originally used.

Location #5

Carriage roundabout

In the pre-motorized days, park visitors used this open space to turn their horse-drawn carriages around at the east end of the park.

Location #6

Swamp privet

Photo by David Carson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch

A state champion — meaning it's the largest known specimen of its variety in Missouri. Its 28-foot span is far greater than the usual 8- to 10-foot span, Berg said.

Location #7

Gnarly Tree

Photo by David Carson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch

A popular stop for visitors because of its gothic/spooky vibe. The late Bob Cassilly had wanted to move this northern catalpa tree to the City Museum.

Location #8

William Shakespeare

Photo by David Carson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Shaw considered sculpture to be a noble art and commissioned a number of them over the years. The first one installed was the William Shakespeare statue, in 1878. The second of the four full statues to be installed, months later in 1878, was that of Alexander von Humboldt, a leading naturalist of the early to mid-1800s.

Location #8

Alexander von Humboldt

Shaw considered sculpture to be a noble art and commissioned a number of them over the years. The first one installed was the William Shakespeare statue, in 1878. The second of the four full statues to be installed, months later in 1878, was that of Alexander von Humboldt, a leading naturalist of the early to mid-1800s.

Location #9

Baron von Steuben

There also are statues honoring American Revolutionary commander Baron von Steuben and explorer Christopher Columbus, and busts of classical composers are near the park's music stand.

Location #9

Christopher Columbus

Photo by David Carson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch

There also are statues honoring American Revolutionary commander Baron von Steuben and explorer Christopher Columbus, and busts of classical composers are near the park's music stand.

Location #10

Bigtooth aspen

This is the park's other state champion; largest of its kind known in the state.

Location #11

Hoole "headstone"

Post-Dispatch file photo

Eliza Hoole, a cousin of Shaw’s, visited from England in 1882. She enjoyed her trip so much that she planted an oak tree. Shaw installed a marker to highlight "her" oak (which is now gone.) Visitors sometimes mistake it for a gravestone.

Location #12

Bird Grove

Post-Dispatch file photo

The area has been cleaned and pruned to be more welcoming to the scores of bird-watchers who show up most weekends to spy more than 200 species of flyers that roost a spell in this setting.

Location #13

Stables

Post-Dispatch file photo

The oldest structure in Tower Grove Park, it was built in 1867 to house the mules used by workers building other structures in the park. Now it is home to two horses, one of which draws a carriage for rides. An adjacent residence, which once housed the construction foreman, is being remodeled and will be occupied by a ranger in the near future. Near the stables is ”Jimmy Joe's Oak," planted to honor the 21-year-old Clydesdale who died in 2016 after pulling the carriage for 17 years. The residents now are Moonshine, the Clydesdale that succeeded Jimmy Joe, and Sheffield, a Shetland pony that serves as a companion horse.

Location #14

Ruins

Post-Dispatch file photo

Before the park officially opened, Shaw obtained several loads of burned stones salvaged from the fire in 1867 that destroyed the Lindell Hotel. (Rebuilt a few years later, the Washington Avenue hotel was owned by the Lindell brothers.) Shaw thought the charred blocks would make for an interesting "ancient ruins" attraction. The site now is popular for wedding photographs.