Living in Imperial provides a residential retreat with rolling green hills and open spaces in Jefferson County. Located south of St. Louis along I-55, Imperial offers newer subdivisions built in the past 30 years with a quieter, more rural atmosphere than nearby Arnold. Families are drawn to the Fox C-6 School District and outdoor attractions like Mastodon State Historic Site, which features hiking trails and a glimpse into Missouri's prehistoric past. With easy access to shopping and dining in Arnold and a 30-40 minute commute to the city, Imperial delivers space and tranquility for those who want distance from urban density.
Imperial wasn't always so, well, imperial! Originally called West Kimmswick when it was established in the late 1860s, this Jefferson County community eventually upgraded its name to something more regal. But the real treasure here is the Mastodon State Historic Site—because nothing says "imperial" quite like prehistoric elephants! This park is home to one of the most important Ice Age fossil sites in North America, where remains of mastodons (those hairy, elephant-like creatures) have been discovered. These gentle giants roamed the area around 10,000 B.C. Today, you can hike the same hills where mastodons once walked. Now that's what we call putting down roots—or should we say tusks?