Sell My House Fast in Overland, MO

Overland is a city in St. Louis County with a population of around 15,454. The city’s name reflects its history as a stopping point for travelers. The area south of the King’s Road to St. Charles was first settled in the early 1820s, when travelers heading west from St. Louis would stop overnight at what became known as “The Overland House.” The community gradually grew from a rest stop into a village and eventually into an incorporated city.

Major Employers Around Overland

Economically, Overland has historically been an important industrial hub in the area. Until 2020, Build-A-Bear Workshop was headquartered here, and concentrate manufacturing operations for Dr Pepper Snapple Group are still located in the city. Overland sits less than five miles from the St. Louis Boeing plant, Bayer (formerly Monsanto), and Emerson Electric, companies that employ many city residents.

The 1973 Records Center Fire

A historically significant building in Overland was the National Personnel Records Center, a six-story, 1.6-million-square-foot facility built in 1956 for the Department of Defense. On July 12, 1973, a massive fire at the center destroyed an estimated 16 to 18 million personnel files, mostly from the 50 years prior to 1963. This was considered the largest single loss of government records in U.S. history. Overland also housed the Army Human Resources Command until it closed in 2005 due to the Base Realignment and Closure process.

A Diverse Community

Overland features one of the more diverse demographic profiles in the St. Louis area. About 55 percent of residents are white, 21 percent are African American, and 15 percent identify with other races. Foreign-born residents make up 15.6 percent of the population, above the national average, and a substantial Hispanic community of about 16 percent calls the city home. The median age is young at around 34.5 years. The median household income is approximately $62,319.

Historic Buildings, Schools, and Local Character

Schools in the city are run by the Ritenour School District. Notable historic structures include the Lackland House built around 1844, the Alexander McElhinney Log Home from the 1850s, and Wild Acres Park, which spans 31.5 acres and features a Renaissance Revival home built in 1907. Overland has maintained a warm community character welcoming a wide range of residents.