History :

In 1956, a developer from Chicago purchased about 320 acres of crop and pasture land 55 miles northeast of St. Louis, Missouri.he paid $32,500 for the land and constructed Shad, Shadrach, and MeshachLakes in the center to serve as a recreational focal point.By declaring the area a "resort", the developer avoided various county ordinances and building regulations that would have required more foundation installations and basic infrastructure services for future homeowners.

On Memorial Day 1957, prospective buyers attended a grand sales promotion event.Billboard advertisements had successfully attracted the attention of a number of families who saw the RoyalLakes "resort" as a chance to achieve the American Dream.Purchasing property at RoyalLakes would allow them to leave the city and live a country life-style.The Memorial Day celebration included free food, drinks, and boat rides around the newly constructed lakes.

The developer divided the 320 acres into 2,435 lots that measured 125' x 25' and offered them for sale at $98 each.For many, the price was high. But for those who had long dreamed of leaving the city and retiring in the quiet countryside, the price seemed well worth it.They saw peaceful lakes, lush vegetation, and birds flying overhead and envisioned a new home, peaceful afternoons, children and grandchildren laughing and playing in the water.The future they had only imagined now seemed possible.Some buyers purchased three or four lots, because they were so small; they all bought a dream.