We are a relatively young city, having been incorporated in June of 1957.

In the 60's, the City acquired an area adjacent to Interstate 44. Comprised of parts of lots within the Meacham Park subdivision, the City was able to put together these lots to form a park close to Lynstone Pl. Thus the name of the City's first park, Lynstone Park.

In April, 1973, the City established it's own Police Department. They were housed with the City offices (at the time) in Sunset Plaza.

In 1975, a 23 acre tract of land was purchased in the center of the City on W. Watson Rd. just west of Lindbergh. With construction that took place from 1976 to 1979, Watson Trail Park was created and dedicated on May 20, 1979. The Park was named for an old wagon trail that cut through this part of Sunset Hills. This is where the Parks Department offices are still located and their address is 12450 W. Watson Road.

City offices were located in Sunset Plaza from the 60's through the 70's. A new City Hall was built in 1980, at 3939 S. Lindbergh Blvd. City offices of Administration, Public Works Administration and Police all moved into this new facility.

In 1981, Riggs Landscaping, (who contracted snow removal and other services to the City since 1968) was purchased and brought into the City to form the City's Public Works Department. They were located under the Park Activity Center in Watson Trail Park.

In 1971, an Eagle Scout Project of the History of Sunset Hills was done by Kent Bessinger. This project was later expanded upon by the Sunset Hills Bi-Centennial Commission in 1976. A later edition of this was published in 1982 as part of the 25th anniversary of the City by the Silver Anniversary Committee. The final product was a 102 page book titled, "The History of Sunset Hills." The text of this is now online and available for viewing.

In 1985, Murphy's junkyard (west and adjacent to Watson Trail Park) was purchased. In May of 1988, Watson Trail Park Pool was dedicated and opened on the Murphy tract.

The City expanded by annexations in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997. The census of 1990 showed that the City had 4,915 residents before the annexations. This figure grew to 7,885 according to this 1990 data after the annexations.

On 11-1-94, the City accepted the simplified annexation of the subdivisions of Chateau Chura and Rambling Oaks. This annexation added 94 residents and involved 120 acres of land.

In 1995, the Rowe property was purchased by the City. This was land contiguous to the Watson Trail Park and City Hall.

On 11-9-95, an area south of I-44 along our eastern boundary with Crestwood in the Meacham Park tract and an area bounded by Eddie & Park, Sappington, Lindbergh and the City's eastern boundary north to Eddie & Park, were incorporated into the City through a mutual acceptance vote of the contiguous City and these annexation areas. Again, the City grew by 259 more residents with this 1995 annexation. This area involved 789 acres of land.

On 6-6-96, the City incorporated the area south of Gravois and west of I-270 to the Meramec River. The southern boundary of this annexation is hard to describe, but basically includes all properties that back up to properties that front Schuessler Rd. This area included 980 acres and added 777 residents.

On 10-1-97, the area bounded by Gravois, I-270, Sappington Rd to Sappington Barracks and back to Gravois was annexed into the City of Sunset Hills. This annexation involved 422 acres and added 1310 residents.

The Police Department, formerly housed at City Hall, built a new facility on the Rowe tract in 1998. The address of this building is 3905 S. Lindbergh and is physically located at the intersection of Lindbergh and W. Watson Rd.

The Public Works Garage, formerly housed in the basement of the Park Activity Center in Watson Trail Park, also moved into a new facility in 1998 on the Rowe tract. This facility is located at 3909 S. Lindbergh, between City Hall and the new Police station.

In 1999, City Hall was completely renovated and now houses City Administrative offices, Public Works Administration and the Municipal Court. This completed a campus like setting for all the departments of the City.

This is pretty much the synopsis of the main points of the history of Sunset Hills. There are numerous names associated with this history, many of which can be found in the text of the 1971 to 1982 publication. Suffice it to say, the text of this log is a testament to a body of people who were (and are) dedicated to forming & bettering the community where they live and work. There is no way to properly name all, much less describe the people and their efforts that went into the composition of this list of accomplishments. Achievement was merely the expectation that each participant had for themself, in the process of making this stellar legacy that was, is and continues as...