I’m always intrigued at how downtowns adapted in the 1950s and 60s to the rise of Modernist strip malls and shopping centers in the suburbs. One of the most common tactics, done in downtown St. Louis, as well as downtowns… Continue Reading
Located far up the Illinois River, where it bends to the east north of St. Louis, DePue sits on a lake off the main channel. The town has some amazing slipcovers on its old buildings in the downtown. This old… Continue Reading
This was most recently a PNC Bank, and as of August 2018, it is still open. A Previous occupant of the bank, the North St. Louis Trust Company, was founded in 1909. However, if one looks closely, those beautiful roundels… Continue Reading
The houses above sit above a sinkhole, most likely, and they are now settling so badly that they have been abandoned. It is really a shame, as they were nice little houses. I just noticed this apartment building hiding behind… Continue Reading
Many people, includeding me, were deeply saddened to learn of the impending closure of the Little Sisters of the Poor’s Nursing Home in the St. Louis Place neighborhood. They have been unable to find an operator, but I hope they… Continue Reading
There are still remnants of the economic powerhouse that was once Crestwood Mall, such as the office building and strip mall across Watson Road, former Route 66, from the now vacant lot.
I visited Sunset Memorial Park, out Gravois Road in the sunshine of early July 2018. I am still impressed by the massive columbarium, which sits towards the back of the cemetery. There is also a very pretty office and residence… Continue Reading
Formerly dedicated to St. Patrick, this Modernist Roman Catholic church near the intersection of Olive and I-170 is now the Korean national church of St. Andrew Kim Taegon, a martyr who died in the Nineteenth Century. He is the patron saint… Continue Reading
I find the Marine Villa neighborhood to be an interesting mix of architecture, largely because of its rural setting for much of its early history around the hospital for former mariners. It has some nice half flounders, such as the… Continue Reading
I find Lafayette Avenue in between Compton Avenue and Jefferson an interesting stretch of street; it was clearly once a very important stretch of roadway in St. Louis, but now it is quiet and overly wide, its traffic moved over… Continue Reading