I was coming back from photographing Oak Grove Cemetery when I decided on a lark to turn down Academy, an irregular trapezoid shaped piece of land between Page and MLK west of Kingshighway where the streets fan out unlike anywhere else in the city. I came across this beautiful apartment building, with its mate facing Wells Avenue, both built in 1912.
I love how they relate to each other spacially, and perhaps the larger backyard on the left is because of the streets fanning out in this area. For some reason, a couple living in Florissant owns these buildings. Slumlords and their sad, sickly love of money disgust me. The two buildings were condemned in 2012; God only knows the disgusting conditions alluded to in the City’s database that residents were forced to endure.
This older building above, probably a four-family from the turn of the century, sits abandoned.
I could have sworn I remember seeing Rabbit’s Snack Shop open in the past. That’s what’s important to realize: this area is continuing to decline. How can we help? Look below, as nature swallows the built environment on this sad forgotten street.
Thanks for your time and effort!
So neat!!!
in the 1920’s, my father’s grandfather lived on ridge. he would send my father and brother to a bar down the road for a bucket of beer to go. my father talked about sitting at the bar, filling his pockets with free pretzels.
the place his did this was the structure known as Rabbit’s.
So wonderful! Thank you for sharing your story.