LAKE FOREST NEIGHBORHOOD

The Lake Forest neighborhood is located in the northeast corner of St. Louis Park:  on both sides of Cedar Lake Road, west of France Avenue. 

It was the brainchild of Douglas Rees, a builder billed as "realtor owner."  He had purchased the 80 acre parcel from the McNair Estate for $25,000.  (McNair had been a land speculator.)

The land was platted in 1939 - "more than 80 acres for less than 150 families."  Rees explained that "larger homesites [100 x 200] are required for the low rambling homes of current architectural style, and the winding lanes without conventional city-type street improvements, and with through traffic barred out, simulate country estates, without forfeiting urban conveniences and services."  Rees further described the project as "the last large restricted area available for exclusive home construction along the entire length of the west city limits, from Robbinsdale on the north, southward to 58th Street."

The average lot in 1939 was $1,100.  In time, an additional 80 lots were developed to the west.  In the 160 acres that now makes up Lake Forest, there are only 178 families. 

Why Rees named the subdivision Lake Forest is unknown. He built his own home on the corner of Glenhurst and Cedar Lake Road. 
 

The Lake Forest Neighborhood Association was formed on September 21, 1942. 



 

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.