History
Barrett Brae was founded in 1955 and developed by Fischer and Frichtel. The original development included homes ranging from 1150 and 3000 square feet. The first building year included 4 styles of contemporary homes with open floor plans inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian House. In the winter of 1957 Phase 2 began and included three additional more traditional ranch style homes. The subdivision was completed in 1959.
Most of the original homes were built with 3 bedrooms, 2 complete baths, living room, dining room, kitchen, den, and carport. In addition, the homes had a number of 1950 demanded features: automatic dishwasher, electric garbage disposal, kitchen fa, choice of gas or electric appliances, metal kitchen cabinets, pass through buffet service, choice of built in GE refrigerator/freeze, and built-in stainless one-piece sink/electric stove. Other home highlights included a tiled bath and shower combination, separate tile shower stall, translucent plastic skylight, gas radiant heat, floor to ceiling storage, choice of one or two car carport, sliding glass doors with screens, full functioning fireplace and conveniently located utlility room with easy access to washer and dryer.
Although Barrett Brae is split geographically, the residents are united in many ways. The subdivision is split with 57 homes located in the county, and 53 homes located within the city limits of Kirkwood. The children have always attended separate school districts with the children in the county attending Barretts Elementary and Parkway. The Kirkwood children originally went to Osage Hills School and then on to Kirkwood for their secondary schooling. Osage Hills School was closed in 1974 and now the Kirkwood children attend Robinson Elementary in the Kirkwood school district. While there is a seeming split in the subdivision, several functions help to promote a strong neighborhood atmosphere: the Board of Trustees, the garden club, the annual picnic, the neighborhood watch program and the Barrett Brae newsletter.
-Excerpted from Barrett Brae, The Charm of the Country The Tempo of Town Life by Susan Burkett
