I was in the area so I thought I would take a look at the old Kirkwood Athletic Association ball fields down in the valley along the Meramec River. They’re looking pretty bad, to say the least, but apparently there’s a movement afoot to put them back into business.
Originally, I have read, these were recreational fields for the Meramec Highlands, high up on the bluffs. The area was also owned, at least in part, by George Baumhoff, whose house was nearby at 3310 Quinette Road, which is the former name of Big Bend Road out this way. But there is still a small portion of Quinette left because Big Bend was diverted under a railroad trestle.
There are actually other functioning sports fields nearby, including Marswood Field, and a golf course. We will see what happens.
I have a question not related to the athletic fields. I have been a subscriber for quite a while and sometimes you show maps and old photos. My ancestors lived in St. Louis starting in 1850. Here are some of the addresses where they lived: 148 N 10th St. (1864); 704 Broadway (1868); 804 N. 6th St. (1870); 921 N 6th St. (1880-1899). They were described as boarding houses. Baptisms took place at Str. Francis Xavior Catholic Church at 9th St. and Lucas Avenue. Are there any photos or maps of those streets that you can share with me and others during the above time period? The buidlings are all gone now. Just industrial buildings and empty fields.
Interesting, so they would have been baptized in the Jesuit church attached to Saint Louis University at an earlier location. It is possible there are photos of those streets. You can look at the Missouri History Museum’s collections here:
https://mohistory.org/collections/
Thanks for your help!
Also, you can use the composite Compton and Dry to look at your ancestors’ old neighborhood here:
https://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~24321~890020:-Pictorial-St–Louis–Composite–By