This 1 acre park is located in the Old Town Neighborhood, at the northern city limits of Clayton.On the grounds of Taylor Park once stood the honored Taylor School, an institution that formed the minds of boys for over 40 years. Founder of the school, Edgar Curtis Taylor, served as headmaster throughout the life of the institution that bore his name.
As a faculty member of Washington University, Edgar C. Taylor saw a need for a small private school for boys that would parallel the curricula of Eastern preparatory schools. In 1930, Edgar C. Taylor established the Taylor School in a home on North Central Avenue. At its maximum capacity, the school held 50 students ranging from sixth graders to seniors and for individualized instruction, classes were limited to four or five students per class. The school believed that intellectual integrity was productive of honest thinking.
World War II greatly affected the faculty, students, and alumni of the Taylor School. Many students fought in the war and unfortunately, some did not return home. As a tribute to those that served, the students gifted a memorial flagpole to the school. The base of that flagpole still stands in the northwest corner of Taylor Park to honor the memory of those boys.
Upon his retirement as headmaster in 1971, Edgar Curtis Taylor closed the Taylor School. In 1976, the City of Clayton purchased the property, demolished the school building, and dedicated Taylor Park.
On the Central Avenue side, gardens with seasonal color welcome visitors to the park. A circular sidewalk flanked by benches leads to a charming Gazebo dedicated tp Kitty Hoblitzelle and a large playground for pre-schoolers. The soldier's memorial is surrounded by a delightful garden that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds is at the northwest corner of the walk. To the east there is a level, open area to play in, lovely shade gardens, and picnic tables under a canopy of large Oaks where visitors can enjoy their lunch.