With roots dating back to the early 1800s, the Crestwood area claims a rich heritage defined by its early settlers.  The historic home of John Sappington, one of the earliest landowners, still stands as an example of the Federal-row housing once popular throughout the region.  Today, the Crestwood community offers a wide variety of housing that spans several decades.  The selection ranges from tidy brick bungalows and ranches in orderly subdivisions to rambling cedar contemporaries set into the wooded foothills of the Ozark Mountains.  Offering an easy commute to downtown St. Louis, Crestwood is ideally located near two major interstate highways.  The former home of President Ulysses S. Grant is now an estate of the August A. Busch family, open to public tours as a wildlife preserve and historic site.  Westfield Shoppingtown Crestwood Mall is a strong revenue base for the community but also ensures retail convenience.