Such good research related to one specific area in your city. I love it.
So many cities have these structures with so much potential but they are left to ruin because of lack of funds and imagination. It hurts the cities, it hurts the environment, and it hurts the people with the eyesores in their backyards. The question I always have is, how do we fix that?
I wish I had a perfect answer for this. Honestly, though, I’m not sure it takes a combination of citizens working to keep the buildings from being torn down and people with some money and time to purchase the properties and rehab them. And to some extent, you also need the city government to be on the side of preservation and not on the side of “progress.” I think we have all three in St. Louis, but none in a large enough quantity. Especially for the buildings around the river front and north of downtown, which I’ve been all allowed to deteriorate over the decades, because of racism and economic disparity across the city.
Hey Jackie, I shared your article over in the comments for Story Club with George Saunders. He posted a video from his hotel room of the aftermath (https://georgesaunders.substack.com/p/a-moment). Crazy how worlds collide! Hopefully you'll get some more love for Unseen St. Louis.
I only discovered this because I saw the traffic source (I’m only now seeing your comment). But holy moly, thank you! I’m getting new readers, and I think one of them may have been George Saunders himself. Which, given that I had gone to see him Wednesday night, is super cool. Thanks for sharing the link!
Thanks! I always find that when you know something about the history of a place, it becomes something worth respecting and, where possible, saving. Unfortunately it was too late in this case.
I agree. Not quite as dramatic, but I always feel a tinge of sadness when a well-known landmark suddenly becomes a supermarket or something. My local library has photos of the area taken 100 years ago, and it's fascinating to see what has changed -- and what has remained unchanged.
Such good research related to one specific area in your city. I love it.
So many cities have these structures with so much potential but they are left to ruin because of lack of funds and imagination. It hurts the cities, it hurts the environment, and it hurts the people with the eyesores in their backyards. The question I always have is, how do we fix that?
I wish I had a perfect answer for this. Honestly, though, I’m not sure it takes a combination of citizens working to keep the buildings from being torn down and people with some money and time to purchase the properties and rehab them. And to some extent, you also need the city government to be on the side of preservation and not on the side of “progress.” I think we have all three in St. Louis, but none in a large enough quantity. Especially for the buildings around the river front and north of downtown, which I’ve been all allowed to deteriorate over the decades, because of racism and economic disparity across the city.
Thank you for sharing St. Louis history with us via your writing!
I'm so glad that you're enjoying it!
Took a few photos myself of the aftermath, here's only one of many: https://flic.kr/p/2nVRDqJ
That’s gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.
Really interesting photos of the inside, from Josh Medsker Photography:
https://www.facebook.com/joshmedskerphotography
Oooh thanks for this. I’m going to see if he’ll allow me to add a couple of the photos. Either way, the link is great.
Hey Jackie, I shared your article over in the comments for Story Club with George Saunders. He posted a video from his hotel room of the aftermath (https://georgesaunders.substack.com/p/a-moment). Crazy how worlds collide! Hopefully you'll get some more love for Unseen St. Louis.
I only discovered this because I saw the traffic source (I’m only now seeing your comment). But holy moly, thank you! I’m getting new readers, and I think one of them may have been George Saunders himself. Which, given that I had gone to see him Wednesday night, is super cool. Thanks for sharing the link!
Very interesting! Thank you for this.
I’m glad you liked it!
Very interesting from a history point of view. Such a shame that an important embodiment of local culture and history is no more.
Thanks! I always find that when you know something about the history of a place, it becomes something worth respecting and, where possible, saving. Unfortunately it was too late in this case.
I agree. Not quite as dramatic, but I always feel a tinge of sadness when a well-known landmark suddenly becomes a supermarket or something. My local library has photos of the area taken 100 years ago, and it's fascinating to see what has changed -- and what has remained unchanged.