Unseen STL History Bonus Talks!
We're celebrating Spine's anniversary with more history!
On November 25th, Spine Indie Bookstore and Cafe (1976-82 Arsenal St.) will celebrate its second anniversary, or Spine-iversary, with a day of dabbling into everything that makes Spine such a great place.
From 10 am to 9 pm, expect music, storytelling, author readings, poetry, and… yes, you guessed it, Unseen STL history!
For the full schedule, see the event page on Facebook.
This event is free and open to the public.
The Talks
Here’s the schedule for our talks. Times are approximate.
11:30 am: Jackie Dana will kick things off with the history of the building that houses Spine Bookstore and Cafe. Constructed in 1889 by Christian Shollmeyer, the building at 1976-82 Arsenal has many stories to tell. From housing a shoe repair shop and beauty salon to rumors of being a brothel and speakeasy with an escape route to English Cave, it has seen it all. Notably, it was once the Grapevine Tavern, with ties to James Earl Ray, the man convicted of assassinating Martin Luther King Jr. We will explore the complex history of this building and its unexpected connection to a pivotal moment in American history.
1:30 pm: In a thought-provoking talk, Julie Nicolai will discuss some of the history of racism in St. Louis's history. Among her topics will be the burning of biracial boatman Francis McIntosh and the lynching of John Buckner, both incidents that, due to the race of the accused, were entirely devoid of due process. Additionally, she will describe how Caroline Quarlls, an enslaved woman in St. Louis, escaped to freedom in Canada. She will also delve into 19th-century artwork's role in perpetuating racial stereotypes and humanizing African Americans.
5:30 pm: Nathan Jackson will give a talk focusing on the hidden treasures of St. Louis's architectural history. Within the city's built environment, some structures hold secrets, as many are far older than they may initially appear. Over time, numerous buildings in St. Louis have undergone alterations, concealing their original character beneath later facades. This engaging talk will unveil these hidden gems, offering insights into identifying them and key details to observe. The presentation will feature examples from neighborhoods like Benton Park and Soulard and numerous others across the city. Explore the rich history that lurks beneath the surface of our city’s architectural landscape.
Our Speakers
Jackie Dana: Jackie was born and raised in St. Louis. She received an MA in history from the University of Missouri-Columbia. After living in Austin, TX, for a number of years, she returned to St. Louis in 2019. She’s a freelance writer and editor, as well as a fiction writer. As she worked on a novel series set in St. Louis, she started digging into the history of various locations around the city that she wanted to use as settings for her novels, and that’s how Unseen St. Louis, along with the associated Unseen STL History talks and the Unseen STL History Adventures meetup, was born. You can read some of her fiction and articles about her writing journey on Story Caudron.
Julie Nicolai: After receiving degrees in art history and archaeology from Washington University, Julie has devoted three decades to researching the region's history of enslavement and the Underground Railroad and published Enslavement and the Underground Railroad in Missouri and Illinois (American Heritage) in July. Aside from her contributions to historical research, Julie manages a personal property appraisal business and co-runs a business branding boutique. She offers historical tours for local tour companies and has been a featured author in publications like the Gateway Magazine by the Missouri Historical Society. Currently, Julie is penning a book detailing the silver collection of the Missouri Historical Society.
Nathan Jackson: Nathan, a history student at UMSL, has a deep-rooted passion for St. Louis's local history, nurtured through his childhood explorations of places like Soulard and Laclede's Landing. Following a stint in Pennsylvania, he returned to St. Louis and established St. Louis History and Architecture. Nathan specializes in 19th-century urban neighborhoods, seamlessly weaving together the narratives of history, architecture, and urban planning. His contributions also extend to YouTube, where he shares his knowledge in "Nathan's Neighborhood History" and continues to expand his online presence. You can learn more about Nathan on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
See you at the Spine-iversary!
The Unseen STL History Talks wouldn’t exist without the support from Spine Bookstore and Cafe. Show your support by coming out on November 25th. Make it a full-day affair — hang out for live music and other entertainment and enjoy food and drink specials throughout the day. Come on down, bring your friends, and let's make this Spine-iversary a memorable one.
See you there!