While certainly I wanted to show off the beauty of Dutchtown for two weeks, that was also cover for the fact I was traveling in Europe for over a week, specifically in Paris and throughout northern France. I took over 1,000 photos, which is slacking off a bit considering I took over 2,400 photos back…
Two Events Coming Up Soon
I would like to invite my readers to two wonderful events coming up this weekend and the first weekend of October. Imagine yourself trapped between two hostile forces during the Civil War in Missouri. Caught in this huge conflict the enslaved Archer Alexander would earn his freedom, because of his brave act at the Peruque Creek bridge…
End of Summer Odds and Ends
I first would like to invite readers out to my free lecture on the history of the Lemp Brewery tomorrow, at 11:00 AM, September 20, 2022 at the Missouri History Museum. Its architecture was born out of the designs of highly influential architects Edmund Jungenfeld; Theodore Krausch; Widman, Walsh and Boisselier; and Guy Tyler Norton. I will be…
One More in Tower Grove South
Just north of Dutchtown across Chippewa Street into what is technically Tower Grove South is this beauty built in 1939 in what I would call a sort of Streamline Moderne, proto-Modern style. It reminds me of buildings that would spring up further west in St. Louis Hills in greater numbers. Tomorrow, we’ll head in a…
The Beauty of Dutchtown, 88: 3714 Dunnica Avenue
The appearance of this four-family flat has changed little since Isaac Sievers photographed it as part of his work documenting the raft of new apartment buildings going up in Dutchtown, not long after its construction in 1934. This one is obviously different from the large ones that I’ve been showing the last week or so,…
The Beauty of Dutchtown, 87: Southeast Corner of Alexander Street and Dunnica Avenue
Constructed in 1930, the apartment building at the southeast corner of Dunnica Avenue and Alexander Street warranted Isaac Siever’s attention when he photographed it on May 4, 1931. Sadly, when I came by to photograph almost a century later, the northern half of the building is not boarded up and abandoned. But there is so…
The Beauty of Dutchtown 86: Ray Avenue
Constructed in 1929 on the one block stretch of Ray Avenue, hemmed in on the sides by Meramec and Keokuk streets, this building is actually shaped like the letter C. It is perhaps one of the most simple, and while the ornament still uses precast terracotta heraldry, it is sparse. The two flanking spires sort…
The Beauty of Dutchtown, 85: South Grand Boulevard and Delor Street
A little bit further south and a bit of an outlier, this building built in 1930 is an interesting mix of styles. Constructed in 1930, this complex has two distinct sides. There was the more conservative public and commercial side facing Grand, but then there is the more experimental side facing Delor. That less busy…
The Beauty of Dutchtown 84: The AnnaLou Apartments
The AnnaLou, with its big bold orange brick, jumped out at me on Giles Avenue just south of the large Tudor Revival complex on Alberta Avenue. Built in 1929, it also has a cool garage in back. I love the rich, dark orange that is used to set off the doors and windows, making it…
The Beauty of Dutchtown, 83: Gustine Avenue and Chippewa Street
Much later, this building built in 1937 shows the influence of the Streamline Modern on its design. The large limestone or cast concrete panels above the windows are a nice touch, with the stars. The orange brick runs up the walls in stripes, giving a sense of speed. I also would like to invite readers…