Harvester

Harvester got its name from its substantial wheat harvests in the 1800s, but the unincorporated community in southern St. Charles County has since traded in rows of wheat stalks for rows of houses in a web of subdivisions. Major highways run alongside the community of 21,000 people, providing direct routes to St. Louis 28 miles away, as well as to other parts of St. Charles County, ranked the third-best county to live in Missouri by Niche. However Harvester hosts enough of its own amenities that residents can stay close to home when they so desire.

Schneider Real Estate Realtor Nick Wagenknecht says that most of the houses in Harvester’s subdivisions were built in the ‘70s and ‘80s, bringing ranch homes and split-levels to the area. Though these homes have stood for decades, many have been kept up, and it’s not uncommon to find 50-year-old homes with brand new flooring, cabinets or appliances. “Most of them are between 1,200 square feet and 1,800 square feet,” Wagenknecht says. “It’s a great spot for the first-time buyer." The typical home price in Harvester is around $300,000. Wagenknecht adds houses often are listed for tens of thousands of dollars less, but Harvester features only a 0.6-month supply of homes, and stiff competition for local properties often drives up sales prices. There are modern farmhouse and Arts and Crafts-inspired new construction homes popping up too, with price tags starting in the $500,000s.

Harvester is within the Francis Howell School District, ranked the eighth-best school system in the state by Niche. Many students in Harvester attend Becky-David Elementary School and Barnwell Middle School, both given grades of A by Niche, before advancing to Francis Howell North High School, rated an A-minus. Not only do the schools get high marks from Niche for their academics and teachers, but the campuses are getting a boost from a $244 million bond issue approved by voters. In 2022 the district installed a new playground at Becky-David Elementary, and in 2024 a new Francis Howell North High building will open for students.

Built into the hills on the west side is the vast play and recreation area known as Veterans Tribute Park. The name reflects the somber wall etched with the names of St. Charles County veterans who died in battle, but the rest of the park is one of the most energized spots in the community. From its trails over lakes to its rope bridge- and giant wind chime-outfitted playground, there’s plenty here to keep residents climbing, jogging and playing. The artificial surface under the playgrounds is a turf-like material that blends in with the surrounding grass, preserving the park’s green landscape.

The Katy Trail cuts through the south side of Harvester. Daring cyclists embark on the 240-mile trek between the two trailheads in the towns of Clinton and Machens, passing through bluffs, forests and plains in between. Harvester residents who don’t want to take a multi-day trip across the trail’s crushed gravel path instead can opt for an abbreviated 1-mile cruise down the trail between the produce markets of Fonesca’s Farm and Thies Farm, picking up fresh strawberries or peanuts along the way.

A patchwork of shopping centers and big-box stores make up the north end of Harvester, so residents don’t need to go far for shopping and dining options such as Salvatore’s Italian Grill. Come to the bar and restaurant for crisp bites of fresh-made pizza dough baked with chicken and spinach, but stay for the drinks slung at the bar as well as the bands that rock the joint four days a week. To craft your own flavorful meals at home, find fresh meats and crisp greens at Harvester’s Fresh Thyme Market. The Midwestern grocery chain’s colorful crates of produce are sourced from local farmers whenever possible. Whatever you can’t find in Harvester is likely less than 10 miles away in surrounding communities like Cottleville, St. Peters or St. Charles.

Written By

Alex Soderstrom

Photography Contributed By

Javier Briseno

Video By

Daniel Quattro