St. Louis Memories

St. Louis Memories (Chapter Five - 2007)

David A. Lossos

To return to the "Genealogy in St. Louis" Web Site click here.

Send your memories to Dave Lossos
Note: If your name and/or e-mail address appears WITHIN the body of your E-Mail, I will include them in your posting. If not, the post will be attributed to "Anonymous".

This website has gotten so big I've had to divide it into pieces.

Submissions that I received from 2001 through 2003 are posted at
Memories 2001-2003
those I received in 2004 are posted at
Memories 2004
those I received in 2005 are posted at
Memories 2005
those I received in 2006 are posted at
Memories 2006
those I received in 2007 are posted at
Memories 2007 (You are currently looking at this website)
those I received in 2008 are posted at
Memories 2008
those I received in 2009 are posted at
Memories 2009
those I received in 2010 are posted at
Memories 2010
memories currently being sent in are at
Current Memories

For all you former "Altar Boys": "Ad deum qui laetificat juventutem meam."

(Missouri Sales Tax Tokens, commonly referred to as "mils". Red ones were worth 1/10 of a penny, green ones worth 1/2 a penny)(Images courtesy of Bob Doerr)

This twenty-five cents would get you a double feature and a bunch of cartoons to boot.

On April 4, 2001, I posted a few memories I had of growing up in St. Louis. I received so many great replies that I thought I'd post some of them here.

Original Post from Dave Lossos

I remember when my phone number was Mohawk 2343
I remember going to see a double feature at the Ritz Theater for 25 cents.
I remember coming into the movie in the middle and eventually saying to the person I was with "This is where we came in".
I remember the way to get your friend to come out to play was to stand in front of their house and yell their name (was this a St. Louis thing?).
I remember the first time I had the nerve to wear "bermuda shorts".
I remember getting all the news I needed from a St. Louis publication called "Prom Magazine".
I remember (as a ten year old) being sent to the corner tavern to get my grandma a pail of draft beer.
I remember riding the Grand Avenue electric street cars.
I remember riding my bike in Tower Grove Park (even after dark!).

Post from ~V.A. from IL.~ (1/1/2007)

In response to Rebecca (Boyce) Carty, (4/26/2006). Regarding a hospital that was at Utah and Demenil Place. My mother worked at a hospital that could be what you are inquiring about.The name of it was Marion Hospital. It was a private medical/surgical hospital (2 stories) and up to 25 beds. Owned by a man names Dr. O.S. Jones. It had been a mansion at one time. It was next door to the Lemp Mansion (which is still there). There was a park nearby. (Don't remember name). Also, Benton Park was a few blocks away. Seems to her it was I-44 that was put through there and the hospital subsequently torn down. Arsenal St. was a few blocks away. My mother was a nurse there in the mid-1940's. I hope this information is of help to you.

Post from Bob Juengst (1/1/2007)

Great Site!!!

I talk about "mills" back here in Ohio and everyone thinks I am nuts. So glad to see pictures of them.

I was born in '51 and grew up in North St Louis. I went to Holy Trinity, St. Augustine, DeAndreis, and graduated from Central High School in 1969.

I remember a lot of the things people write about;

I remember Crown's,Pete's Pool Hall on Grand, Velvet Freeze, Phil's, Bono's, Vitale's, Clancy's, Jones Bakery, Ring's Market. Eating Tamales from the push wagons and buying pretzels from the guys standing at the intersections. How about Falstaff beer and playing corkball, bottle caps, horseshoes, and Khoury league baseball. I played for Supreme Express and remember winning the 3 (MO, ILL, & KY)state championship when I was 11.

I worked at the IGA on Natural Bridge by Fairgrounds Park and played a lot of soccer games in Fairgrounds Park. We use to play soccer on the concrete basketball courts at Penrose park across from the 5th precint police station almost every night during the summer. Got married at Holy Trinity and had the reception at Club Imperial.

How many people had to be home when the street lights came on? It must have been everyone in the city!! It sure has been intersting having people recalling all the things that we experienced as kids while growing up in St. Louis.

Thanks Dave for creating this site.

Post from Anonymous (1/4/2007)

Does anyone remember the old Mullanphy Flats at 1541 N 8th St or firehouse next door at 8th and Mullanphy? Also the Robbins Paint Factory was on the other side. How about the old St Casmir's school & church or Mullanphy Park & Bath House. I was born at Mullanphy Flats (midwife 1936 ) and moved away in 1944 to Bevo Mill area. Does anyone remember the big fires in this area , the Goodwill property where i remember the fire chief or ass't chief perished ? It was a few blocks from the Flats. I did your 5 Google searches on this with no results. I was transferred with the old Wabash RR to Roanoke Va in 1966 where I now reside.

Post from jar (1/7/2007)

Great web site.

I was a small child when my father owned a neighborhood grocery story at the corner of 22nd and Newhouse. It was Rapp's Tomboy Market. Does anyone remember my father Bud and my mother Irene? I remember starting Kindergarten at Holy Name, my teacher's name was Miss Ida. Then we moved to the county (Dellwood). I attended St. Sebastian and Good Shephard. I remember taking the bus from dellwood downtown. I remember Jackson Park and Bob Cuban. I remember cruizing through steak n shake on West Florissant. I remember when the Walgreens at Northland had a diner. My friends and I would order onion rings there.

Thanks, Dave for sharing all the memories.

Post from Charles (1/9/2007)

Great site. I have many of the same memories of growing up in St. Louis that others who have written here have. Before we moved to St. Louis we often visited my father's parents there, and for the first half of my second grade year we lived with them and my sister and I went to St. Roch's.

Grandma and Grandpa lived on DeGiverville Avenue in the West End. It was St. Louis 12 before zip codes were invented, and their phone number was PArkview 7-1916. My uncle kept that phone number until he died two years ago. Their house was a couple of blocks from DeBaliviere, and I always used to get a secret thrill whenever I walked by the Stardust Club, home of "Evelyn West and her $50,000 Treasure Chest." There was an ad for the Stardust and Evelyn West every morning in the Globe-Democrat, on the funnies page next to the horoscope. The horoscope had a big list of words with numbers attached to them, and the horoscope for the day was a list of numbers after the name of each sign. You looked up the words that corresponded to the numbers to see what your horoscope was.

The Wabash railroad went through a cut right behind my grandparents' house (the passenger station was up on Delmar, a few blocks away) and I used to stand up there in the alley and wave to the engineers as the trains went by. I would pump my arm up and down like I was pulling the whistle cord, and every once in a while the engineer would respond by blowing the engine's air horn, which always made my day.

The street was lined with big sycamore trees (anyone else remember that St. Louis used to be called Sycamore City sometimes?). Some of the squirrels who lived in the tree in front of Grandpa's were tame enough to eat out of his hand.

We moved to St. Louis Hills (St. Raphael's) in 1963 when my father retired from the army. (Phone number was VErnon 2-xxxx) It was the first time I'd ever been around a bunch of kids who had all known each other since they were little and it was hard being the new kid with a totally different background. In those days St. Louis was one of the few places in the U.S. where anyone played soccer and I'd never played at all before. My total lack of soccer skills didn't help me fit in.

Stan Musial lived two or three blocks up on the same street. In those days ballplayers didn't get the kind of money they do now, and his house was nice but not all that big--it was certainly no mansion. He was still playing then, but it was his last season or maybe the next to last. Anyway, if you went and rang the doorbell Mrs. Musial would answer the door, and when you asked for "Stan Musial's autograph" she'd hand you an 8 x 10 glossy with his signature already on it. I guess they kept a bunch of them next to the door, because kids were always going there.

Red Schoendienst lived a block or so away from Musial, and his three kids (Colleen, Kathy, and Kevin) were schoolmates of mine at St. Raphael's. The teachers at St. Raphael's were almost all nuns who still wore the full habit. They lived in a convent next to the school and I lived in terror of them.

I was an altar boy, and for some reason the nun in charge of the altar boys put me on her list (you know which list I mean), which meant I always had to serve 6:00 mass. Naturally the younger of the two assistant pastors got stuck saying that mass every morning, and he didn't like to get up, so there were many mornings that I was standing around outside the church freezing, waiting for him to come and unlock the door. Finally I'd have to go bang on the rectory door and wake him up.

The only people who ever showed up for mass at that hour of the morning were the old ladies in black. A lot of them didn't speak English, but in those days there were a lot of old people in St. Louis who'd come from the old country forty years earlier and had never gotten comfortable in English. Their grandchildren (my contemporaries) usually didn't speak much of the old language, but when their grandmothers were yelling at them for something the idea got across all right even if the particular words weren't understandable.

A bunch of the St. Louis Mafia guys lived in the neighborhood, and one time somebody set off a bomb in front of a house (right across from Musial's but after he moved away) where some Mafia guy's mother lived. It wasn't a big bomb and nobody was hurt. I guess it was just meant to send a message.

Francis Park was closer to my house, and I went there sometimes, but Willmore Park where where we all played. There was a playground there, next to the smaller of the two ponds, that had a bunch of ultramodern (circa 1960) playground equipment that would be considered far too dangerous to be put on a playground nowadays. In the winter when the water froze and it snowed we'd sled down a hill and get airborne off the concrete lip around the pond and crash down onto the ice. I don't remember anyone ever falling through. We also spent a lot of time hanging around the River Des Peres and building "forts" in the woods on the other side of the river. Certain forts were supposedly the exclusive property of one or another of the local "tough" kids, and whenever you were in one of those you kept an eye out in case the "owner" came along and beat you up.

We all called our friends by standing outside yelling OOOHHHH JOHNNNNNEEEEEEE! I think that's a St. Louis thing because I never heard anyone do it any of the other places I lived when I was a kid.

I had a paper route for a couple of years. I rode up and down the streets in the evening on my bike yelling "Morning Globe pa-per-er!" There were subscribers, and you delivered the paper to their front door, and the yelling was supposed to drum up additional business. I don't remember anyone ever buying a paper who wasn't already a subscriber but I yelled anyway. We picked up our papers in the evening at a confectionary on Hampton.

I went to high school at Augustinian Academy. We had to wear a coat and tie to school every day which was already an anachronism in the late 1960s. I rode the BiState bus (the Loughborough bus over to Carondolet and then one that went north along Virgina Avenue to Meramec). A lot of the Cleveland High School kids rode the second bus, and they'd sit in the back smoking cigarettes, the girls with teased hair and lots of black eyeliner, eyeing us disdainfully. I don't remember that any words were ever exchanged between any of them and any of us, even though we saw each other every day for years.

Other things I remember:

Velvet Freeze.

Harry Carey calling the Cardinals games on KMOX ("It's a long fly ball deep in left center field! It's waaaay back! It might be! It could be! It IS! A HOME RUN!")

Seeing the last game at Sportsman's Park and the first game at Busch Stadium. As I recall it was a doubleheader, and after the first game, at Sportsman's Park, everyone went downtown to see the second game. I think Steve Carlton pitched one of them.

Seeing Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax, and Don Drysdale pitch.

Camping out all night at Busch Stadium with my friends to get bleacher tickets for the World Series against the Tigers.

The Avalon and Granada theaters.

Southtown Famous (nobody ever called it Famous Barr).

Forest Park Highlands.

The zoo before they put the wall up around it.

The seal pond at the zoo.

The Channel 2 TV tower next to the Arena, which was short because most of it was knocked down by a big storm. There was an electronic reader board around the top of it where they'd put up the news headlines and I remember finding out from that reader board that Marilyn Monroe died.

The kids' TV show in the afternoon with the guy (who was also a weatherman) who was a sea captain or something, and the show began with a ship's bell being rung. For some reason I can't remember his name or the name of the show right now.

I guess this is long enough, probably nobody will read it because I went on too long, but what the heck. Thanks for having this site, I've enjoyed reading everyone else's posts.

Additional post from Dave Lossos (the originator of these "Memories" - 1/12/2007)

I remember Saturday mornings after a couple got married they would ride around their neighborhoods, with their wedding party trailing behind, honking the horns on their cars. Young kids on the sidewalks would yell out "Sucker" (presumably implying the groom had just made a terrible mistake). And the newlyweds would toss lollipops out the window at us.

I remember putting a penny on the tracks of the street cars, and seeing how flat they could get.

I remember the only civilized way to settle an argument with your sibling or best friends was to wrestle in the back yard, and the ultimate winner declared only after one's opponent "cried Uncle".

Post from Anonymous (1/12/2007)

"Over 6000 Friendly People Welcome You to Woodson Terrace." Omphalos of my Universe. Harrison 87561, zone 30. Bataan Drive. Next door was Corregidor. I too could see the rivets on the aircraft that seemed to pass right over our house, big Constellations with their curved noses, finally giving way to those 707s. Saturdays at the Gem Theater, 50 cents a show. The cattle farm between my neighborhood and Natural Bridge Road that became a public park with a swimming pool. Charles C. Kratz Elementary. I was a patrol boy with my brother at a crossing on Edmundson Road, right in front of the school. Holiday Hills amusement park. Steve Mizerany commercials: "Don't be confused!" My first Cardinals baseball game viewed at Sportsman's Park. Wrestling at the Chase on channel 11, hosted by Joe Garagiola. Fritz Von Erich's fearsome Iron Claw. Mayor Alfonso Cervantes. Big A Burger across St. Charles Rock Road from Ritenour Senior High, from which I graduated in 1971. Tom Boy's Supermarket, later Del Monte's. And Christmas shopping downtown, years before malls.

Post from Anonymous (1/12/2007)

just wanted Charles of 1-9-07 to know that I gladly read his memories of St. Louis and while he and I grew up in different areas of the City, we share many of the same memories. I too, recall when the Channel 2 tower came down in that awful storm. What a storm that was! Charles and I must have been looking at the tower at the same time because I also got the news that Marilyn Monroe had died from the tower. My Mom, Dad, sister and I had been going somewhere in the car and it had broke down somewhere in the vicinity of the tower. We got out and started walking. I do remember it was dark outside. I loved watching the letters change on the board. It just seemed magical to a little kid. All of a sudden my Mother gave a small gasp. Dad asked what was wrong and she pointed to the tower. I looked up and read "Marilyn Monroe Dead" It just kept making it's way round and round the board. Mom couldn't wait to get home, turn on the TV and find out what had happened. So…Charles, not only did you and I grow up in the same city..we were also watching the Channel 2 Tower at the same time!

I have written to this board several times and I check it every few days to see if there are any new memories. It never ceases to astonish me how us St. Louis "Kids" share so many of the same memories. Even if there is a great difference in our ages, many of the memories remain the same. That City had such an affect on those of us blessed to grow up there. I have such wonderful memories of that wonderful City and growing up there during the exciting 60's. It seems the older I get, the more I think of those wonderful, carefree days. I cherish my St. Louis memories. Do any of you other St. Louis kids of the 60's remember…

Drag racing on Hall Street

Johnny Rabbitt broadcasting from Famous Barr or Stix, Baer & Fuller. I can't recall which now. Oh, those were glorious days to be Downtown! We went every Saturday to see Johnny and Steven B. Stevens. Great Giveaways!

The wonderful fashions of the 60's..Carnaby Square, Yeardley, mini skirts, bell bottoms and hip huggers. We girls of the 60's sure looked better in our hip huggers than these hideous low riser jeans the girls are wearing today. We never let our flabby bellies hang over our pants!

The incredible music. The Rascals, The Turtles, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, The Mamas & The Poppas, The Shangri Las…our very own Bob Cuban and The In Men!

The cars…..No other generation can lay claim to the incredible Muscle Cars of the 60's.

Walking Grand Ave. We'd walk that Ave. for hours. Depending on much money we had, we'd eat at Tillman's (if we had money) or Kingsway (if we didn't) Both were on opposite corners of Grand & Arsenal. We'd stop at Kingsway every morning before going to school at Roosevelt. Many a decision to cut school was made on a stool at Kingsway!

The Ritz and Shenandoah Theaters. The Pool Hall across from the Shenandoah.

Hanging out in Tower Grove Park. We practically lived in that Park in the Summer and never had one bad experience. We felt as safe there as in our Mother's arms.

Roller Skating at Tower Grove Baptist Church….So many cute boys hung out there. I got my very first kiss in that parking lot and ended up getting married at that church years later.

My very best St. Louis memories always include a cute boy, a fast car and Johnny Rabbitt playing the BEST music ever played on the radio. I wouldn't trade where or when I grew up for anything in the world.

Post from Tom Caulley, FL. (1/12/2007)

This is in reply to Charles's post (1/9/2007): "Cookie and the Captain" showed on KMOX-TV --Channel 4 (now KMOV-TV), starred Jim Bolen as Cookie/the 1st mate (the station's Weatherman) and Dave Allen as The Captain.

Post from Linda in Manassas, VA (1/12/2007)

Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane!

I was born in ’58 but I too remember standing outside my friend’s homes and calling “Ohhhhhh, Carol!” or “Ohhhhhh, Barbie!” I think it was a St. Louis thing that grew less prevalent as you moved further out into the suburbs. When we moved from the Glasgow Village area to the Black Jack area in ’68 I asked a neighborhood kid how they asked each other to come out and play (I had noticed that on TV shows kids didn’t necessarily yell at their friend’s doors and windows). She looked at me incredulously and said, “We knock on the door and ask.” Like duh.

I remember my first phone number – Underhill 8-0146.

I remember driving to Grandma and Grandpa’s on a Sunday afternoon and Dad pulling over to buy us kids soft, long pretzels in brown paper bags from the street corner vendors.

I remember Grandma and Grandpa’s street, Genevieve Ave., when it was still paved with cobblestones.

I remember playing in the alley behind their home.

I remember taking the bus with Grandma to Katz drug store.

I remember walking to the “confectionery” to spend my allowance on Luden’s cherry cough drops.

I remember attending the Shrine circus every year at the old ballpark.

I can’t remember the radio ever being tuned to anything other than KMOX for all the Cardinals baseball games (Mom’s radio is still tuned to it.)

I remember going to the old Chain of Rocks amusement park and the Mad Mouse Rollercoaster.

I remember attending St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic School and marching in a school-wide parade all the way from the school to Chain of Rocks Amusement Park for our annual school picnic. I’ll bet the nuns were hot in those black habits.

I remember spending many a Saturday afternoon watching Charlie Chan, Bowery Boys, and Abbot and Costello movies on channel 11.

I remember playing pick-up games of kickball in the street in front of our house. No one paid money to participate in sports. We just grabbed a few friends and a ball and had fun.

I remember spending most summer evenings outside. Mom and Dad sat on the porch nursing their diet colas while we kids played in the yard. Neighbors walked by or came over to visit and we’d have impromptu games of spud or hide and seek till the mosquitoes got too bad and everyone went inside.

I remember having too many kids on our street to count. There was almost always a playmate to be had. No one was in day care and all of our mom’s were home.

I remember Dad coming home from work with sacks full of Hostess treats from the day old or what we called, the “Used Bread ” store.

I remember earning Cardinals tickets for a straight-A report card.

I remember all the sonic booms and shaking walls from the jets at McDonnell Douglas.

I can’t remember the radio ever being tuned to anything other than KMOX for all the Cardinals baseball games (Mom’s radio is still tuned to it.)

I remember watching Max Robey on channel 4 to get the local news.

I remember getting sick from drinking too much Vess grape and orange “sodie”.

I remember ice cream floats made with Vess Red Cream “sodie” and later “soda”.

In 1980 I traveled out west on a short vacation with friends. We stopped somewhere to get some soft drinks and one of my friends asked for some “soda” meaning a coke. The clerk looked at her really weird and went and got her a glass of plain seltzer water.

I remember eating hot fudge “sunduhs”. When we lived in a western state a number of years ago, my husband (who is not a native St. Louisan) overheard a co-worker refer to ice cream “sunduhs” so he asked her if she happened to be from St. Louis. She exclaimed, “How did you know!”

I remember when I used to say “warsh” instead of wash and “fark” instead of fork (Mom still does).

Post from Ed Kotowski (1/14/2007)

To the person enquiring about Mullanphy Flats:

My mom lived in Mullanphy Flats till she was 15 years old (1936) (the Parchomski family, 5 children), (7 people in 3 rooms). Her grandmother's family (the Gromacki's) also lived there (7 children), (9 people in 3 rooms). The late Eddie Gromacki (the youngest) used to be the ring announcer on "Wrestling at the Chase". The oldest Gromacki child was Caroline (my grandmother). Mom also remembers the Tacony family that lived there.

Mom remembers the paint factory very well. She said you could always smell the paint. There was a big wall between the flats and the paint factory. Mom said that during prohibition her parents made home brew. A man named McCormick was the chief at the firehouse, and made the best vegetable soup, and used to trade the soup for the beer. In the back of the Flats was a courtyard where an ash pit was. Mom remembers her father cooking potatoes, and the ashes that were generated from the stove. Mullanphy Flats had 3 stories, 4 flats on each floor, (12 families), 3 rooms to a flat. Mom went to St. Casmir's and played at Mullanphy Park. She won the Net Handball championships in 1935 with her sister and friends. Mom recalls scrubbing the front steps with Bon-Ami to make them as white as possible. Mom doesn't recall the Bath House, they had a tub in their flat, with inside plumbing. I vividly recall visiting great grandma Gromacki in the 1950's (I was around 7 or 8 years old). Mom's Uncle Paul had a spittoon. It was such an adventure to visit there with my parents on a Sunday afternoon, and peer into that spittoon.

Post from Anonymous (1/14/2007)

enjoyed this. friend from stl who lives in boston e-mailed it. live in north carolina and many other places but stl was great. read the entire thing. thanks.

remember:

paper boy with wagon yelling morning globbbbe paper every sunday morning. yes, the service cars on easton and the streetcars everybody rode. i think the transfers were free at first, then they started charging. opening of whol recreation center on kingshighway. grew up in forest phone exchange then evergreen. wish i could remember the numbers. attended clark school on union. remember the square dance and tumbling competitions held every year. mr turner had a candy store on the way to school. always looked forward to attending soldan high school but my parents moved to north side my freshman year. beaumont was the school. track day and trukey day -- great. buying bus passes for $2.00 for the week or making one with color pencils.

Post from Anonymous (1/15/2007)

I don't know if this site is still going or not, but thought I would give it a try. I also went to Scullin and have realized how lucky we were to be a part of that school's history. All the memories people have written about on your site has brought so many back for me too. Talking about the Bridge theatre, but we called it "the bucket". White Castles with a coupon from the Sunday paper. I could go on and on, but until I know this is being kept current I will wait.

Post from Patricia Natkin (Kenny) (1/14/2007)

Post from Anonymous (1/20/2007)

Okay, who remembers the "yo yo" man coming to the Scullin playground to do his tricks and sell his yo yos... with your name printed it no less? The pens and or pencils given by "Santa" at Christmas? The afghans we all crocheted for Ms Michel so she could in turn give them to the red cross. I had no idea, until many years later, what a fantastic program Scullin had in Room 9 (where the disabled studied). THey put on "puppet shows" for all the other rooms at Christmas.

Post from Rita (1/24/2007)

WOW! What a rush of memories so strong I can hear Tony the scissor man’s cart clinging. I grew up in St. Louis in the Carondelet neighborhood on Michigan Ave & Nagel. My family is all still there. I left in 1986 but come home as often as possible.

I remember . . .

The two-family flat with our family upstairs and my uncle, aunt and cousins downstairs

The men in my family sitting shirtless in the back yard with a cold Budweiser and the Cards on the radio

Mister Softee trucks on summer nights

Parade from Lyon Elementary School to Carondelet Park; where we had our school picnic. My dad always won parakeets at the game booths.

Field trips to the Lock and Dam, Hostess Plant, and other places to keep kids amazed

Teen Town at Busch School –the last song was always “Hey Jude”

Riding the Carondelet #73 bus to South County to go to the mall

First day as a freshman at the Castle (Cleveland High) and being offered an elevator pass

Ted Drewes frozen custard – doesn’t get any better

Policemen who knew us by name and knew who DIDN”T belong on our block

Being in a play at the Carondelet Branch Library with friends and being terrified

Walking down to Broadway and the Ben Franklin store where we could spend our change

Sled riding at Art Hill in Forest Park and the greatest Zoo

Fireworks at Washington University on the 4th of July

So much more that the mind is swirling

Leaving home the first time and thinking that my heart was going to break in two

There is NO place like home. Thanks for the memories Dave.

Post from Nick Berring (1/24/2007)

Your we site is special. Brings back great memories for a 64 year old man. Some of my memories:

Fire alarm and Police call boxes every couple of blocks.

Live chickens sold at a grocery store at Gravois and Morganford

Batz Baseball Field on Tholozan at Morganford.

The White Wall in Carondelet Park.

The endless baseball, football & soccer games there. (Whatever was in season)

Playing Marbles in the dirt.

Mom and Dads first house at 3823 Dover Pl. in 1945 for $5,000. Phone Plateau 3393. Party Lines.

Visits to Gas Light Square with friend the Original Johnny Rabbitt.

The playing in the Bettendorf Grocery Store at Grand & Iron when it was being built in 1953?

Grocery stores on every corner of Wilmington Ave. (Hobart's, Val's, Holly Hills Mkt. & Tom Boy)

Watching the Hawks play basketball at the old Kiel Auditorium.

Ice Skating on both Boat Lakes & Horseshoe Lake before fountains kept the lake from freezing so the ducks could congregate.

Cleveland High Sorority/Fraternity parties.

Tony the Hot Tamalli/HotDog man. "Hey Tony how's your wife" was yelled from our car. His reply, "Red Hot"

No Gym at St. Stephens grade school. We always had a crummy basketball team. Practiced outside.

Sister Mary Austin's bad mark book. Often stolen to erase marks.

Rubber Hose on rear end when mis-behaving

Getting slapped by Sister Wilma for trying to smoke a lady cigar.

Ether Anesthetic for tonsil removal

Forts & Tree Houses in the vacant lot on Arendes between Dover & Burgen Ave.

Putting pennies and a occasional nickel on the railroad tracks and watch a train flatten them.

Dodge Lancer spinner hub caps.

Grand Ave Street Car rides to old Sportsman park.

Soccer clubs playing heated games for there own nationality at Carondelet Park. The Italians from St. Ambrose, the Polish from St. Hedwig's, The Spanish & Germans from St. Mary and Joseph and St. Boniface.

Bowling at Century Lanes on Michigan Ave.

Sidney the night watchman patrolling our Holly Hills neighborhood.

Hanging out at "The Jungle" confectionary at Morganford and Loughborough or KP on Bowen across from Woerner School..

Cork Ball, bottle caps & Bocce ball games at my dads favorite bars. Fanetti's at Reilly & Stein. Villa's on Davis St. Frego's on So. Broadway.

Walking through the Cemetery on Bates St. from Dover to get to the Granada Theater to sit in the balcony.

Walking to friends homes on Christmas Eve showing off gifts.

Christmas Novenas at St. Stephens.

Swiping Brother Mack's gold fish bowl at St. Mary's HS on Friday night after football. Another bowl would be on his desk Monday with the same fish and not a word being said about the bowl being taken. It drove us crazy.

Rabbit hunting in So. County in the area where I now live.

Drag racing on River Des Per Drive after leaving Steak & Shake.

Gene Green's 57 Chevy. Fastest car around.

Hot Rod Moore.

Spook Saboka.

Underage drinking at Radisson's over the JB Bridge.

Monte Bello's Pizza.

Helen's Pizza.

DeRenzio's Pizza.

Big Blo's Bar.

Willy Decker

Unfiltered wading pools at Tower Grove and Dakota Parks.

Polio vaccinations.

I could go on but these are some of my favorite's.

Post from Anonymous (1/24/2007)

Born and raised in South St. Louis in the 40's and 50's and wish we could wind the clock back.

I remember jumping on the milkman's truck and grabbing junks of ice, and we'd jump off when he got to the end of our block.

I remember summers when our neighborhood was full of kids to play with outside. This was because moms didn't work so we were all close to home then.

I remember clothes props, and washing hanging in the yard. I remember running out to grab it all down if it started to rain.

I remember lace curtain stretchers.

I remember walking home from school for lunch every day, and getting back in time to play in the school yard before the bell rang.

I remember the Princess Show in the evening, showing the second movie outside in the summer. By then it was dark and cooler than being inside the un-air conditioned theater.

I remember White's bakery truck made neighborhood deliveries and the man blowing his whistle to announce his arrival. My Grandma would go out and buy things from him.

And yes I remember the scissors man, the strawberry man, the hot tomale push carts, the paper boys and how my dad would open the door and whistle real loud and shout out " Post and Globe" to the weekend paper boy. Yes, we had two major newspapers then.

We lived next door to a chicken store and I'd go over to watch them take the chickens out of the crates, chop off their heads, hold them against a turning wheel that knocked off the feathers and they'd be ready to hang up and sell.

I remember Mary-Jane shoes.

I remember hats and white gloves that every well-dressed woman and little girl wore in the summer and especially on Easter Sunday.

I remember going on the Admiral at night when it actually ran up and down the Mississippi.

I remember going to the Casa Loma on Saturdays for the St. Louis Hop.

I remember Cherokee Street being a major shopping center in South St. Louis.

I remember our neighborhood tavern was a family gathering place. And the big juke box that had columns on the front with changing colors of cloud like lights.

I remember playing all day in Benton Park with my friends and it was safe and fun.

I remember taking buses all over by myself or with girlfriends, like to Down's Swimming Pool on South Broadway, to Forest Park, out to the Hampton Loop, the Grand Streetcar to the Fox and St. Louis theaters, and of course downtown to shop with my mom and sister at stores like Famous-Barr, Stix, Cunninghams, Kleins, Sonnenfelds, Boyd's, and on and on. The old downtown with lights, and crowded sidewalks and hundreds of shoppers on a Thurs night when the stores stayed open until 9:00 p.m.

I remember getting my shoes half-soled, and taps on the heals to make them last through the school year.

I remember ash-pits where people dumped their ashes from coal furnaces. Of course other thrown away items got dumped in them as well. A man with a cart and horse used to come through our alley and pick stuff out that he wanted - old clothes, shoes, etc. We called him the rag picker.

I have to stop. I could go on and on and on and on................................. How I miss those days.

Post from Sandra C. (1/25/2007)

I remember Cho-Cho's. They were malt flavored ice cream in a cup with a lid which had a small slot. You stuck the little wooden popsicle stick through the slot to the ice cream, and then rolled the cup in you hands a few times to loosen it up. Yummy. You threw away the cup and ate the Cho-Cho.

I remember fire alarm boxes on every corner and only occasionally some delinquent would pull it and run.

I remember the sign my Grandma had to put in the window so the ice man could leave her ice. It had big black numbers on each side, and whatever number was at the top was how much she wanted. Yes, it was for her Ice Box. It melted into a very large square pan underneath her Ice Box, and pulling that out to empty took practice not to spill the water.

I remember my Grandma's two irons. The handle was separate. She'd heat both irons on her stove, (yes, they were actual large, heavy thick iron triangles) then stick the handle into one of them and iron until it cooled off. Sit that one back on the stove, and pick the hot one with the handle. Start over. She ironed on a board that she set on top of two chair backs.

Remember sprinkling clothes with the sprinkling bottle? Or just dipping your fingers in a pan of water and sprinkling?

I remember hitting the emergency release many times to get my fingers free from my mother's wringer washer. She let me use it when I got married in 1967.

I can remember many times my dad, or whoever we were with, having to start their car by pushing it real fast and then popping the clutch. I have no idea why that worked, but it did. Whoever was pushing would then jump in and off we'd go.

I remember my brother taking pictures with a Brownie Box camera, and if we were inside, we'd have to sit still for 30 seconds for a time exposure shot. No flashbulbs then.

I can also remember the very first color pictures we took at Christmas one year. Must have been mid 50's. Remember the 3-wheel white Fleet Photo motorcycle men who picked up and delivered film to your local drug store, or grocery store?

Yes !! Remember the large bottle of Vess soda turning around high in the air at the Hampton Bus Loop, and the huge ice cream cone outside Velvet Freeze on Gravois? All of us kids from Roosevelt signed that over the years. It would have been an incredible piece of nostalgia to keep around.

Remember walking to Rose Fanning school for your homemaking class, and the boys walking there to take whatever it was they took. Was it called manual? And this wasn't an option, kids. We had to learn to sew, cook, light a gas oven (burned arm hair, thankyouverymuch), peel an apple so that the skin stayed in one long piece (who cared ????) and so on.

Remember the swimming pools in Fox Park and Tower Grove Park? They were free, and Fox always had summer craft classes that were FREE.

Remember Frezert? Imitation ice cream. But it tasted fine to us.

Remember school parades when the steets and sidewalks were lined with lots people who came out to watch us walk by with our crepe paper hats and banners? It was a very big deal - - followed by The Highlands for the school picnic, and then we were off for the summer.

Stop me. Back to work. See Ya Later Alligator.......................

Post from Tom E Lloyd, Jr. (1/25/2007)

My father and mother are both from St. Louis.

They grew up in the 40's and 50's and my father has many fond memories.

Last night at dinner he began to share some of them with me and tears formed in the corner of his eyes. Like so many he yearns for the "good old" days.

He and my Mom would leave St. Louis and their families behind to serve this great country of ours as an officer in the US Air Force. We, the children, would see our grandparents when we could due to Dads military obligations and I too have some very fond memories of childhood in St. Louis.

My father went on to become one of the founders of a very large and successful publicly traded defense contracting firm and now lives a very nice life in Northern Virginia where 2 of his 3 sons chose to reside close to him.

My father is a man of great presence and knowledge. His is passionate about his family and has committed his life from an employment stand point to ensure the safety and security of our great country and we all sleep better because of it. He is a man of great wealth yet more humble than those who have nothing. He is not loud and aggressive in his mannerisms yet he is soft and gentle yet every point gets across. His is very educated and shares his knowledge openly. He has the rare ability to remember in great detail and accuracy events from times passed.

Now in his 70's and still working as hard as he did in his 30's he has taken a slower approach to life and looked back on the experiences that helped form him into the man he is today.

As I sat at the table of our fine Italian restaurant I listened with thirsty ear as he played marbles in his shorts, his cheeks rosy from the sun. He took me through a mental journey with his eloquent verbage through his old neighborhood as he and his friends caught fireflies long after dark safe in the knowledge that no harm would come to them, the neighbor across the street, Mr. Nelson, who sold flour to all the local donut shops, the tamale man, the milkman and paper man. His recounted stories were vibrant with color and there was never a cloud in the sky. The air was pure and clean and the living was honest. So well spoken were his tales that as I closed my eyes I became him as a youth and shared in his boy hood experiences. Growing older, he worked at the well known Baker shoe store prior to his military enlistment.

When I returned home I began doing research and I happened upon your website. I began reading it with a voracious appetite for it's knowledge and recounting of memories by others. Picking up the phone I called my father and began reading some of the postings to him. As I read street names and store names he shared childhood memory after childhood memory with me all filled with great detail and precision. I listened intently to his tired voice and heard distinctly the tears he tried to suppress. I am certain they were tears of joy as one memory after another long ago tucked away began flooding his mind like a dam that had just given way.

He spoke of place after place but there was one he spoke of most. After a long day at St. Louis University he would emerge at 9 pm. Tired and hungry he would go to Melrose Pizza for a pizza that he would pay $1.50 for. Piping hot he would take it home and eat it while he studied late into the early morning hours. He described the pizza with such detail I could almost taste it and to this day he has yet to taste any pizza that replicates it.

Would you or any one who has posted to this great web site have any knowledge of Melrose Pizza? What happened to it and when? What was the secret to the crust my father so adored and how was it cooked? Was it a crispy crust, a thin crust, maybe a hand tossed crust? Is it possible anyone still has a copy of the menu from that era that would not mind making a copy of?

Somehow, some way at whatever the expense I would love to recreate that pizza for him and allow the warmth of that fresh pizza roll the hands of time back to the early 50's.

Post from Marilynne Diane Brayfield (1/25/2007)

I would like to add some memories to all the rest of the memories. I remember all of them, but I remember the pageants we put on at the end of summer at the school playground (Scullin) and all the crafts (potholders and rugs made from strips of curtain and tied with yarn) under the tutelege of "teach" ( a counselor). I remember standing on our back porch and watching the fireworks set off at the close of the Shriner's Circus at the Public School Stadium. I remember my brother and I walking home from Natural Bridge and Kingshighway carrying the bags of white castle hamberurgers. We really whetted our appetites for them by the time we got home. I remember the rides down the alley on the back of Johnny Kaufman's produce truck. He would let us ride down the alley from our house to Farlin. I remember Miss Michel who was one great teacher. I am sure we did not give her the respect she deserved while we were in her class, but her memory is such a pleasant one, I hope she can know it now..

Post from Tom E Lloyd, Jr. (1/26/2007)

Post from Michelle (1/28/2007)

Born in St. Louis in 1958 I have lots of good memories from my youth.

Graduating from Ritenour High School and the walks across St. Charles Rock Road to have a malt at Chuck A Burger after school.

Cruising at nights around Steak N Shake, White Castle on Natural Bridge and Chuck A Burger on St. Charles Rock Road. Around every 5 rounds maybe even taking the longer cruise out to the Steak N Shake on Lindbergh.

Northwest Plaza. The first big shopping center I remember. Going with girlfriends on Saturday and spending the whole day shopping and looking at the boys.

Kresge's on Page Avenue and sitting at the counter at the restaurant having a cherry or vanilla coke.

Johnny Rabbit and KXOK radio.

Telephone Party Lines.

Airway Drive In on St. Charles Rock Road. Helping friends get into the movie free by hiding them in the trunk.

Hoech Junior High. Setting in class day dreaming as I looked out the window across the road at cows roaming in the field.

American Donut Shop on St. Charles Rock Road.

The Admiral boat going out on Sunday nights with friends. An evening of cruising and dancing to Bob Cuban's Brass Band.

School picnics at Chain Of Rocks and Holiday Hills. Remembering how envious friends of ours from the city of St. Louis were of us for living only minutes from Holiday Hills.

A Saturday school carnival at DeHart. Enjoying the day with my family.

Creve Coeur Park. Cruising around in the park with a carload of friends on a Sunday afternoon.

Shakey's Pizza Parlor on St. Charles Rock Road.

The Ice skating rink on St. Charles Rock Road.

Velvet freeze on Woodson.

Gas Wars when gas was around 28 cents.

Mister Softee ice cream trucks coming through the neighborhood.

Fox's Lake on St. Charles Rock Road. Just before you crossed the bridge and went into what was then country. (St. Charles)

Crossing that narrow 2 lane bridge that went into St. Charles. Holding my breathe as my dad would drive his large plymouth over it.

Visiting family in the city of St. Louis and shopping on Cherokee.

California Donut Shop in the city.

Home cooked meals EVERY night after my mom would come in from working 8 to 9 hours.

Legend Park and Friday night Fish Fry's during the summer.

Post from Sandra C. (1/30/07)

A late follow up to the question about hospital at Utah and DeMenil......... I read the answer about Marion Hospital. Wasn't there also in that neighborhood Booth Memorial Hospital, operated by the Salvation Army? It was a hospital where unwed mothers stayed until the birth of their baby which was almost always given up for adoption. It was down there somewhere near Broadway/Arsenal area. Girls came from all over to stay there.

The park near there was Lemp Park, now gone thanks to Highway 55 construction, and Benton park was further away at Arsenal and Jefferson.

I remember my mother sending me to buy one pair of stockings at JC Penney on Cherokee Street. Stockings were packaged in flat, rectangular boxes, 3 pair in a box, all stacked up into wooden cubby holes. The sales lady would take out one pair, and carefully put her hand in it so you could see the shade of the color on the back of her hand. I'd ask for a certain size and color and then....... does anyone remember this?.......... I can remember mother saying "ask for 20 gauge, 15 denier". What did that mean??? The numbers may be off, but I distinctly remember the "gauge" and "denier" specifications. Someone please tell me they remember that also.

I remember my dad's work pants being put on stretchers right from the washing machine. The stretchers pulled out the wrinkles as they dried and also put in razor sharp creases. Clever. Then we just had to iron the top part of the pants.

I remember learning to iron by practicing on hankies (yes, we ironed them), and sheets and pillowcases. Yes, they were all ironed too.

I remember hot starch cooking on the stove on laundry day.

I remember lighting real candles at Catholic Churches anytime of the day, because they were always open.

I remember big weddings always being in the morning, then the whole group going out for a wedding breakfast. Then the reception was always at night.

I remember DiReinzo's Pizza very well. It was wonderful. Also Helen's on South Grand.

I remember the very cool jazz bars around south St. Louis. The Fallen Angel, The Coral Reef, The Algiers, Jazz Alley, .......

I remember black cocktail dresses.

I remember stockings with seams and very fancy designs at the back of the ankle bone.

Post from Christy in Texas (2/2/2007)

A reply to the Post from Linda in Manassas, VA (1/12/2007) - Linda, you mentioned you attended St. Catherine's of Alexandria elementary school. So did I and all my brothers and sisters. Some of my fondest childhood memories are the school picnics, and how each year, Sr. Mary Louis would announce the theme, and each class would decide how to dress up and decorate for the parade. The Charlie Brown "Happiness" song always reminds me of the year we had that theme, and my class chose "Happiness is a Birthday Party", and some of us (including me) got to dress up as birthday presents. I wore a cardboard box with holes cut in for my arms and my head, that my mom helped me decorate with crepe paper "wrapping paper" and a big bow. And I loved how right before we would start the parade, we'd all assemble out in the school yard in front, and the "Drum and Bugle Corps" would start playing. I love watching the old home movies of those parades. I never rode the Mad Mouse because my brothers had told me too many horror stories about it (someone getting killed on it?????) I loved the double ferris wheel, and when I was feeling brave, the "riding spook house".

I remember how on July 4th, my dad would load up the station wagon, and we'd all drive up to the park, and watch the fireworks downtown from the top of the hill at Chain of Rocks. Back then you could see forever. Our phone number was also Underhill, (UN-87864) but we grew up in Bellefontaine Neighbors.

The confectionary is still there on Diamond Drive, and still smells the same, and looks the same inside. (At least it was when I went to visit 2 summers ago...) That was a big deal for us, to go the confectionary after school and I loved the "bottle cap" candies, kind of like soda flavored sweet tarts, and Bazooka Joe bubble gum (I liked to read the jokes inside the wrappers). My sisters liked the wax lips and wax "soda bottles" (I never could see the appeal in those) and they liked the pixie stix too, oh, and I loved getting the candy necklaces on the elastic string.

I remember the fish fries at the school every month, my mom helped cook in the back and us kids would go back there and all the ladies would be back there frying up a storm and sharing all the latest gossip. They seemed so OLD then, now I'm THEIR age! Scary!

And I remember taking milk money to school in little brown manila envelopes, and at lunch turning in "milk tokens" or "orange drink" tokens at a little window to the kitchen in the gymnasium, to get your carton of milk or Orange drink. And the collapsible lunch tables that folded up into the walls. And when I got into the upper grades, felt SOOO important when we got to put the tables back into the walls after lunch.

And the Christmas assemblies in the gym every year, when the whole school would sit on the gym floor and each class would present a Christmas song or skit. And Sr. Mary Louis would give out Christmas gifts to EVERY kid. I remember getting a fuzzy plastic cow with a bobbing head one year.

I had a friend who lived in Glasgow on Lilac. (she also went to St. Catherine's.)

Well Thanks for stirring up more memories. I better stop now before this goes on and on and on.....

Post from Cindy in Japan (2/4/2007)

first of all . . . i can not thank you ENOUGH for your website! I am a native St. Louisian who at the age of 45, moved away from St. Louis for the first time and am now living in Japan, of all places in the world. I have searched frantically for a website covering life in St. Louis during the last century (hah we actually can say "the last century" in our lifetimes! makes me feel old though in some ways ^-^ ) I was on a web search looking for any information of my elementary school Ascension in Northwoods and this led me to finding your absolutely fantastic website. Really, it should win honors and awards ... this is thee most incredible website reviewing life in a city I have ever ran across. And wow how your posters impact my life at this time in my life, when I am living away from family and friends, half way around the world. I only have my husband, who is native to this country, and his parents. I am constantly searching the internet for information to share with him about my life through the years in the states and I struck gold with your website. I am so blessed beyond measure! And to find that posting from Barbie 03/10/04 - it is obvious she lived in the same neighborhood/vicinity as I did when a child!

Its very emotional for me to read the various memories of others . . . and recall events and places I had forgotten. I always loved growing up in St. Louis and brag on the cities many cultural establishments, restaurants, icons, etc. -- and living in a foreign country as I do, this makes the isolation from my home area a bit less hurtful. If I am babbling and carrying on, forgive me. A lot of memories just came flooding back. A lot of good times! good places! good people!!

For now what comes to mind: Hyde Park (which I think is now torn down?) in the early 60s & the cherry tree out back of my grandparents 2 apt. flat they owned. Mr. Softy ice cream truck; the popcorn street vendor, the "hot tamale" vendor, the peanuts vendor, all the small pushcart food vendors that would walk the evening streets of downtown St. Louis. Carondelet. Grants Farm & the goat that would always eat your coat! Gravois bowling alley & South St. Louis BBQ! Waiting in line to get into the drive-ins which when a small child, after playing on the swingsets, watching the first cartoon, then falling asleep. Then 15 years later, at the drive ins smooching with boyfriend and having outdoor BBQs on back of pickups before and during the movie! haha ah the drive-in ... a truly sad passing away of Americas great pastimes. Crestwood Plaza & KSHE. I remember when KSHE FM first aired on the radio!! and hearing David Bowie's "Space Odyssey" song playing. Those really were the years for high hopes and dreams of a great future. When "computers" were buildings and small hand held transistors radios were the "rage" -- I remember going to bed at night being sad when KIRL would go off the air for the night. haha and STREAKERS ... one year a radio station had a contest going on in which I won a pair of "streaker tennis shoes" - I think i was 11 years old? but hung up on the radio DJ because my mother came into the room inquiring about who I was on the phone with. I recall my parents would take us for a evening "outing" by driving to the airport & watching the planes land at night. Sometimes we would meet up with nearby relatives & hang out a while chatting. I also remember my cousin telling me the landing lights were fallen stars. And for a while, believed him (yes, wishful and gullible child at times.) Recall watching on TV: Lucy, Osmonds, Ed Sullivan, Monkees, Brady Bunch, Partridge Family, American Bandstand, Love American Style, Dating Game, Bugs Bunny (just to name a few iconic shows). I too recall when channel 30 came to TV and you needed that special antenna. Also recall phone cords that would wrap around the kitchen wall as we sat on the basement steps, kitchen door closed, hoping no one was listening to our phone conversations with school friends. I remember the "huge" AMOCO sign off of Hwy. 40 in Clayton / I remember the day the Checkerdome came down (wow was I sad, lots of concert memories there) / I remember the original Planetarium / I remember all the St. Louis Symphony concerts / I too, remember KATZ drugstore & Wags (is there still a WAGS? Walgreens restaurant WAGS had the best breakfast!) / I remember the first time see the Oscar Meyer Hot Dog Weinermobile "hot dog car" on the highway. I also remember people slowing down on highway 270 but that was long before 270 became such a traffic jam nightmare, and then expanded. Amazing ... recalling so many things now. Thank you Dave!

Now, back to thee website. I have a LOT more of reading to do! Will be sharing your website link with others & my family members, who regardless of age, are all "internet connected" - ah a new century in St. Louis & the world.

Thanks for the memories!!! and thank you again for sponsoring this historical documentation of a wonderful city ... "you now, the city with The Arch!" - (what you always told others who would say "St. Louis? where is that?")

Post from Rick Gahn (growing up in West County (Ballwin) from 1966-1974) (2/12/2007)

Phone # was CApitol 7-0664 . . . . CA & LAfayette prefixes were used in west county

Only restaurants in 1966 on Manchester Rd. west of HWY 141 were a Burger Chef and a Dog n' Suds

Captain 11 on KPLR in the afternoons

The Charlotte Peters show on channel 2 KTVI

Harry Caray & Jack Buck on KMOX doing Cardinal games

Dan Kelly & Gus Kyle on KMOX doing Blues games . . . . "it's going to be a barn burner tonight"

Red Berenson scoring 6 goals against the Philadelphia Flyers in Philly to tie NHL record and then coming home to be presented a new Chevy station wagon and hunting rifle at the arena by owner Sidney Solomon Jr.

Norm Kramer at the organ for Blues & Cardinals games, his rendition of the St. Louis Blues when the Blues would take the ice would really get the fans cheering

Riding my Schwinn Varsity 10 speed & buying all the 1967 & 1968 baseball & football cards I could afford at the Ben Franklin on Clayton Road (turned out to be a great investment in later years)

Falstaff Beer headquarters at 5050 Oakland, just down the street from Musial & Biggies Restaurant and The Arena. Falstaff was #1 beer in St. Louis in those days! (Those in the know drink with Pappa Joe)

Sala's Restaurant for great Italian food under the Kingshighway viaduct. Nothing like it in west county!

Buying Buicks from Gilbert Buick (Grand @ Gravios), meeting Jim Bakken of the football Cardinals at Gilbert Buick when he was a spokesman for them. Also the O'Shea brothers from the Blues. (GoGo Gilbert . . . Wouldn't you really rather drive a Buick?)

Parkway Central being the only high school in the Parkway District until Parkway West opened in 1969

Playing hockey on frozen ponds in the Claymont subdivision in the winter and on tennis courts in the summer

Getting gifts from the gas stations for buying gas such as steak knives and football Cardinal drinking glasses, along with Eagle stamps

Watching I-270 being built and the fact that it was making Lindberg Blvd much safer . . . there were many deadly accidents on Lindberg before I-270 was completed.

The Blues beating the Minnesota North Stars in double overtime of game 7 of the Stanley Cup semi-finals in 1967, believe Ron Shock scored on Caesar Maniago and the popularity of Blues sky rocketed. To this date, still the most exciting sporting event I have ever witnessed in person.

Field trips to Grant's Farm and St. Louis Zoo while attending Claymont Elementary school

Saturday night dates on The Admiral

KXOK & KSHE for rock, KMOX for sports. St. Louis radio was the best in the country!

CMC Stereo on Manchester Road, buying 8 track cassettes

Peaches Records on Manchester Road

Mason's Department store for clothes in Ballwin Plaza

Queeny Park concerts with Richard Haymond

Lion's Choice Roast Beef Restaurant and their 5 cent kid's cones

Grandpa's discount store on Manchester road, first discounter in the area

Central Hardware "from scoop to nuts", a really great hardware store chain in the St. Louis area

Eating at Miss Hullings restaurant at the Hilton Downtown St. Louis, also Trader Vics for special occasions

The drive-in theater at Manchester road & I-270 where West County Mall is today

Danny's Do-nuts on Route 66 in Crestwood next to the minature golf, always a treat after a round of 9!

Casey's Sporting Goods in Kirkwood, the best place by far to buy hockey equipment in the late 1960's (CCM & Victoriaville hockey sticks, bought them by the dozen)

Thanks Dave for a great web-site . . . .for a great metro area!

Post from Anonymous (2/13/2007)

What an awesome website! Thank you for the time you have put into this and for continuing to do so.

I was born in 1969; however, I am the youngest of six so what many of you are talking about I can somewhat relate to because of my older brothers and sisters. I can't wait to share this website with them. The last posting I read was from Rick Gahn and many of the things he posted hit very close to home, especially the memories of the St. Louis Blues. I have two older brothers who are HUGE hockey fans as is my husband. My oldest brother gave my nephew the middle name of Barclay after Barclay Plager. And that name suits him well because he is one heck of a hockey player.

We grew up in South St. Louis. Lived on Louisiana two blocks down from Cleveland. All six of us went to St.Anthony's Grade School. The boys went to St. Mary's and my sisters went to St.Anthony's High School by the time I was to go to High School it had closed already. There were many weekends spent at the gym watching basketball games and then Wednesday after school roller skating. My grandpa was a huge fan of Behrmans. He use to take my one brother to afternoon kindergarten because both our parents worked. And if I remember correctly Gramps would tell my brother they were going to Burger Chef to get lunch before he took him to school. Well, one day mom was off and she was taking him to school and said she would still take him to Burger Chef before school like Grandpa did, well as they are driving past Behrmans Joes tells mom she passed Burger Chef............Grandpa had my brother thinking they were going to Burger Chef when in fact that were going to Behrmans every day........but to this day Joe still likes those burgers.

Some of the other great things I remember from growing up with older siblings was Bobby Sherman, the crush boys had on Farrah Fawcett, those funky big clod hopping boots guys would wear I think they were Boonedockers or something like that. Two of my sisters had worked at Grand Manor. Both brothers had worked at Rigazzis. Someone had mentioned Hobarts. We were right around the corner so we were there alot. Velvet Freeze.........Gold Coast was my favorite. Ted Drewes, Al Smiths, Dairy Farm.Going to Kuna Meat Co on Saturdays with dad. Dads Cookies, Kristoffs, Marquette Park, Winklemanns Drug Store. There was a bakery on Meramec across from the hobby shop-cant remember the name of it I just remember how good it was. Potje Shoe Repair. For those of you that lived in that area Grand/Osceola/Louisiana/Taft....there was a house on Grand Ave and every Christmas it was decorated just so and Santa Claus would sit on the front porch on Sunday nights and you could go sit on his lap............that is one of the hand me down memories from one of my sisters..........I never got to do that.

How could I forget my all time favorite place.................................GUS' PRETZELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Soulard Market

I remember the old blue St. Louis City Police Cars-had 2 uncles who were City cops-one who was chief for awhile- they are both deceased now; however, they have one nephew and two great-nephews who proudly follow in their footsteps.

Thank you again for this website what a great idea! I can't wait to read some of the others. Kind of just gives you a good warm feeling when you read these. Takes you back in time and helps you forget if only for a little while the messed up world we live in today.

Post from Pat Bishop (2/15/2007)

Hi Dave! What a great website! I grew up in Hillsdale, in the Normandy school district. I remember:

The Fatted Calf at Northwest Plaza....great burgers!

Ponticello's Pizza next to Rapps (Schnucks) on Natural Bridge.

Schmidt's Bakery...I'd go to the dentist upstairs, Dr. Matthews, and then downstairs for a sugar cookie while waiting for the bus.

The Green Parrot Restaurant...way down south I think...the best fried chicken, family style.

Wellston, the Children's Shop...the sweetest lady was a salesperson there...always made me feel so pretty.

Norwood Hill's Country Club....the pool seemed huge...we always had zombies to drink (root beer, cola, 7-up, and grape soda, I believe).

Chocolate Coke and fries or onion rings at Walgreens by Britts Dept. Store after Normandy Jr. High bowling club.

Whelan's Bar

Godat's Drug Store, after school for an ice cream cone with a candy cherry on top!

Gus's Market...Skippy, the butcher...and I think Lorraine, his wife who worked the cash register.

Melrose Pizza, in the area of Goody Goody, Sam the Watermelon Man, Ed's White Front, and the Thunderbird drive-in....can't remember the name of the bowling alley.

Starlight Ballroom on St. Charles Rock Road where my husband & I went every Sunday night and danced to Bob Cuban & the In Men! Once we were kicked out because he lifted me up by my waist..have times changed!

Heman Swimming pool in University City.

The Martin Cinerama theatre where I saw "How the West Was Won". It was near the Playboy Club.

I'll be in town this summer & hope to recapture a bit of my youth...what's left anyway. I graduated from Normandy High School in 1969.

Post from J.W. in Massachusetts (2/21/2007)

Hi fellow St. Louisans!

I was born in 1943 and lived in Maplewood until I was 12, not far from the bus loop and the Maplewood Theater. I remember the gangway between the movie theater and the next building. And the big concrete trash pits in the parking lot behind all the stores where we would climb in and search for discarded treasures. There was a wooded area behind that where hobos from the train tracks slept in cardboard boxes.

All the neighborhood kids would play bicycle tag, jump rope, flip baseball cards, and have acorn fights. We played "war" with pea shooters. After dinner we played hide and seek until we were ready to drop.

Behind our house was a dirt alley with big ruts. The rag man took his horse and wagon through the alley as he called out for rags. And neighbors dumped their ashes and "clinkers" from their coal furnaces in it so it was hazardous to go wading in the puddles after a storm.

I haven't found any thunder storms that can match those in St. Louis. It would get dark as night and sometimes the air would turn green.

The fish fries at Immaculate Conception in Maplewood were totally fun. I loved the deep fried jack salmon. What kind of fish is jack salmon anway? I loved getting homemade popcorn balls while trick or treating at Halloween.

For a while there was a big revival tent on Southwest Avenue. Once I overheard the preacher forecasting the end of the world by nuclear war and it scared me to death. I had nightmares for years.

One thing about St. Louis that I didn't realize when I was growing up, though, was how terribly racially segregated it was. Anti-semitic too.

What a shame.

I miss the old days and the freedom kids had, but I'm glad we've progressed, at least in a few areas.

Post from Bob Doerr (2/21/2007)

Hi Dave,

This stroll down memory lane is refreshing. Great web page! Thank you!

Upon reading many, many entries, I am inspired to remember more of the past in St. Louis.

Two of our daughters are now grandmothers. That implies correctly that I am older than most of your submitters.

Born in 1927, on Rosa, a bit west of Kingshighway, I lived mostly in St. Louis, except for military service and two short out-of-state moves, until 1958.

From 1932 we were on the move. I remember living in four rental places in Our Lady of Sorrows parish, one in St. Stephens, one in St. Margaret Mary, and living in Webster Groves (Holy Redeemer) plus one in Cleveland and two (one school) in Wichita. In 1936, however, we built and moved to St. Gabriel's, where we lived on Walsh, within a block of Francis Park. That was home until 1951.

Neighbors, the Ittners, has a huge mounted polar bear.

Two of the rental places stand out in my mind. We moved from one upon learning that the house had termites and fearing collapse; the house is still in use. Once we rented a bungalow (4944 Lisette) that was very dirty inside and the back yard of which was hugely overgrown. Mom cleaned the house, ceilings to floors. Dad cleared the yard, including digging out rear axles of vehicles, buried with the differential housings down, a big job. Then the landlord said, "Nice job, now my daughter can move in." One move, on Milentz, was so short that no van was used.

At St. Margaret Mary I 'went out for' choir, but was rejected. The adage, "If you cannot sing good, sing loud." did not apply there.

My parents' car was a Whippet when I was small; I think they had a Ford before. My dad traded the Whippet for $15 in gas in 1936.

Recall the trees given out to grade-school kids in the 1930s? Mine, a Chinese elm, did very well, and grew large, but Chinese elms are very vulnerable to ice storms, so it was destroyed. Who gave out the trees? I seem to recall that they were from a paper man or a printer.

Our furnace on Walsh was hand-fed coke. We never had a stoker, and those who did had the biggest and worst clinkers. We changed to petroleum coke that came in handy paper sacks that made it easy to feed the furnace. After WW II, we switched to gas.

Archbishop Glennon handed me my high school diploma. He asked me if my being last in the long line was because I was tallest.

Because my high school years almost coincided with the War and gas rationing, I was not part of cruisin'.

The finals of KSD's spelling competition were always between two of these three schools: South Side Catholic, Rosati-Kain and McBride. I was on the South Side team. Bro. Art Ebbesmeyer, S.M., was the coach.

My favorite ride at the Forest Park Highlands was the Flying Turns.

Remember bus passes for high schoolers? And the special holders for same?

Who recalls the Metropolitan Ice Cream Company? My first corporate job was there, as a mixman's helper, in 1945.

Hitch-hiking from Kansas City to St. Louis in 1945 or 1946, I caught a through ride with Rush Hughes and got his autograph, which I still have.

In 1947 I worked briefly at American Can Company (previously Amertorp) on South Kingshighway.

While a student at St. Louis University (1947-1951) I worked part time at the post office. During the school year, I mostly drove box-to-box collections after school. During the summers, I mostly carried mail in Webster Groves.

I fondly recall the morning news on KMOX; there was a period of "12 ½ half minutes of uninterrupted news."

I recall the building of the antenna tower for WEW-FM on the St. Louis U. campus and later its removal to the Washington U. campus for KETC.

Hey, Bill - That was the Dorr and Zeller Bakery. I found a photo of my cousin, Lorenz Dörr (of Dorr and Zeller) on the organ in Mariankirche, in his native town, Dieburg, Hessen, Germany.

Lawrence Welk's orchestra played for a dance that we attended at the Chase Club.

Remember the Woolworths at Kingshighway and Chippewa, the one with entrances on both streets, but there was another store on the corner, half surrounded by the Woolworths?

The nasty smell from the hand-soap factory somewhere near Shaw's Garden?

"Big Shot" ice cream cones? It was like a soft-wrapped Dixie cup, but the clerk would unwrap the ice cream and serve it in a cone. Think portion control.

The time the star of the Hawks was off with injury or illness and Easy Ed Mcauley scored big for a win?

Midget car races at Walsh Stadium?

The downtown airport on the near north side, near the Mississippi and produce row? I flew in and out of that tiny, scary strip.

Clover Farm store in Webster Groves, near Big Bend and the tracks, just west of Old Orchard?

Eagle stamps?

Uncle Dick Slack commercials?

Meletio's Seafood? Great-grandpa's diary shows that he shopped there, as did we.

France Laux doing play-by-play for the Cardinals?

Acolytes using gasoline and a rag to clean soot from votive-light glass cups?

Zoo pandas Happy and Po Pei? (I have kept a photo that I took and developed.) The only place outside of China that had more than one giant panda was the St. Louis Zoo.

The great snow of November 1951? (It was only a great inconvenience for us in St. Louis, but life-threatening for deer hunters who were just then camped out.)

The 'Pacific Eagle' (commuter train)?

The Grand Avenue Bridge, a suspension bridge of links, not cables?

Famous Tavern, downtown, where they slightly dipped the top bun of a hamburger in the chili? Oh, that was good!

South St. Louis clay mines and the associated narrow-gage railways?

Cabinets built into outside walls to keep food cool during winter, when the ice man cometh not?

All the market gardens in and around St. Louis? Talk about fresh! About 12 years ago, I visited the second-last survivor, now a school parking lot on Laclede Station Road.

The great produce at Union Market? At Laclede Market?

Sala's and Ruggeri's? Great eats on "the Hill".

The old terminal on the west side of Lambert Field? I recall bringing my dad there to make a business trip on a Ford Trimotor. He later rode in a two-seat Ercoupe with Oliver L. Parks piloting.

The wonderful smell of coal-oil stoves at the cabin on the river?

Hunting rabbits (with sticks) where Bishop DuBourg High now stands?

Hunting frogs where Willmore Park is now located?

Willmore's green and white wooden realty office building diagonally across from the northwest corner of Francis Park?

When, after the smoke abatement ordinance, they cleaned city hall and revealed its beauty?

Pevely Dairy in West Webster Groves? Good ice cream bar, but not as good as Central Dairy in Jefferson City.

Picnics in Rockwoods Reservation? The tame deer there? The tame coyote? The store converted to a museum? The wood samples carefully cut and polished? The mining equipment?

I must tell the story of the origin of Rockwoods. The area had been owned by a lime-mining company that was not doing well during the Great Depression. At that time, the wildlife situation in Missouri was desperate. Interested individuals got the Pendergast machine in Kansas City to agree not to oppose the formation of a bi-partisan Conservation Commission. The Constitution was amended and the Commission (of four) was appointed. They managed to hire the very well reputed I[rwin] T. Bode of Iowa as Director. One of the commissioners prematurely leaked this good news. The commissioners of the opposite party then said that they would 'hang him out to dry' by blocking Bode's appointment unless he would agree that the Commission buy, from their friend, at an exorbitant price, what is now Rockwoods, which, if acquired by the State, clearly should have been a state park. (There were then no state funds to buy it for a park, even at a fair price.) So, a major part of the Commission's anticipated funds were tied up instantly in real estate not germane to the purposes of the Commission. Politics, dirty politics.

Tournament casting in Carondelet Park?

Flattening 1-cent coins on the train tracks in Carondelet Park?

Horse troughs in use by horses on South Broadway?

Strawberries peddled down the alley for 10 cents per quart, $1 per 12 quarts?

Fouke Fur Company, which had exclusive rights to the furs of the Pribiloff seals?

WW II gas rationing? But bootleg gas was to be had for 25 cents per gallon.

WW II meat rationing? I raised rabbits to supplement our supply.

Arrata's on Olive near Grand? I worked with Dan Arrata (in Granite City) for seven years in the 1950s. Yes, twice a day across the McKinley bridge.

About 1960, the owner of the Zoo train asked my dad to manage to train system while he went on vacation for a few weeks. Dad, having retired, said, "OK". Then, when the time was about to end, dad received a phone call from the owner, "We're having a great time; would you stay on?" Dad's response was, "OK, but you do not know how much I'm charging you."

Our doctor was Dr. Brickbauer. While in Webster, Dr. Henry Dionysius of Kirkwood attended us; we called him Dr. Whiskers. Both were homeopaths.

Recalling the great bus and streetcar service of the 1940s, for one week in January 1955 I had several round trips to make and decided to ride the bus. It was transit from hell. We then lived near 39th and DeTonty and my destination was near Hampton and Oakland. That entailed a west-bound ride to Kingshighway, a southbound leg on the North Kingshighway line, a long wait for a southbound ride on the South Kingshighway line, then a westbound ride on Oakland. And return! But I must give credit: Now I drive to the Eureka Park-Ride lot and ride the express bus downtown in jig time.

Our postal zone (not zip) was 9; it is now a zip, 63109.

Our wedding invitations were mailed (first class) for 3 cents in 1951. I recall in-city first-class postage at 2 cents.

Once, driving a mail truck, I saw a big rattlesnake crossing a street near Kingshighway. It was headed away from a candy factory and had a huge bulge in its middle. No doubt, that bulge was a big rat, so I stopped the truck in a manner to block traffic while the reptile completed the crossing. Some drivers became irate at being held up, some an losing an opportunity to kill a rattler, but I took the view that taking rats from the candy factory was beneficial.

I still use the motor (on my bench grinder) from our wringer wash machine.

Gas was mostly '7 gals for $1'. A joke was, "Let me meet them."

I learned to swim at a south side Turnverein.

Recall Shredded Wheat (supposedly from Niagara Falls) with truly valuable info printed on the cardboard separators?

Coke bottles with city names on their bottoms?

One Sunday in 1941 we were at the Lowes (State) Theatre. I do not recall the movie, but it was interrupted by a man on stage announcing that Pearl Harbor had been bombed.

We usually bought hardware at Central or Hanneke, but when one needed a part that these 'regular' hardware stores did not stock, one went to Rubelman-Lucas, downtown.

I, too, did the patrol boy bit with the white Sam Browne belt.

When I explored Cliff Cave I almost fell from the rocks above the opening!.

Living near Francis Park, I biked to Fenton and Valley Park (separate trips) - imagine trying that today!

During WW II, one of the Rapp boys and I almost got a contract to make the wooden cross stands for the F[rederick] P[lacidus] Rapp Stores' Christmas trees. We had the drill and nails, and I had lined up the lumber, but he crossed his dad, and we did not get the job.

We called Stix "Grand Leader" and Scruggs "Vandervoorts".

When an empty Camels pack was found, the finder would ask someone, "Hits or cracks?" Then the pack would be opened and the code read - it began with H or C. One or the other was then hit or cracked.

My fondest recollections of the 1930s were our almost-weekly Sunday visits to my grandparents in Webster Groves. Mother had a number of fun sisters, only one of whom married before 1940, but grand-dad died in '34. For part of a year, when Dad was in training and moving about, we lived there.

The rag pickers did not just collect rags - anything salable. They preferred metals.

My parents negotiated the fee to empty the ash pit.

I still use, but not for the usual purpose, our window fan.

I, too, mowed lawns with a push mower. One customer would give me a beer in hot weather, and I became a confirmed one-beer drinker.

We have a genuine Imo's Pizza in Rolla.

Before I knew her, my wife worked on the Admiral. So did her uncle, who was also the last survivor among the founders of the Jaycees.

As to last survivors, I am the last survivor among the initial (founding) officers of the Missouri Chapter of Nature Conservancy.

This was before my time but I found in my great-grandfather Fehlig's diary (at Missouri Historical Society) an entry about his having a telephone installed at home. Another entry, a few days later, was that they actually received a phone call.

In 1909, my grandfather Wangler built the big house at Big Bend at Swon, later Webster U's art department and then the admissions office. It was equipped with dual fixtures, for gas or electric lighting. Before sewers, it had a cesspool.

The first house missing (for construction of the freeway) at the southeast 'corner' of Tenth Street and I-44 in St. Louis was my great grandfather Dörr's.

ST. LOUIS WAS DIRTY IN THE 1930S AND EARLIER.

1. SMOKE

Much Illinois soft coal was burned; the resulting soot dirtied buildings and lungs.

Steam engines on railroads and in industrial plants emitted much smoke. Many switch engines operated in St. Louis. Each industrial plant needed a siding. Power plants, such as the one at Cahokia, emitted much smoke.

Apartments had incinerators wherein garbage and trash were burned, producing nasty smoke.

Many people burned trash, sometimes including worn-out raincoats, galoshes, etc., in their ash pits; that led to nasty smoke. Folks, we’re not talking of wood smoke and burning leaves! But what you burned you did not have to pay to have hauled. Money was scarce during the Great Depression.

Most of the smoke blew to the east. [That made it beneficial to live to the west; for many, that was at the expense of facing the sun, morning and evening, when commuting to downtown.]

The cure was multi-fold. One was a smoke-abatement ordinance that ended the burning of soft coal. One was industry's switch to electrical power and the railroads' switch to Diesels. One was city hauling of trash to end the temptation to burn.

2. ASH PITS

Every home had an ash pit, but many things other than ashes were placed therein; that is what made ‘rag picking’ possible. It was illegal to dump garbage into an ash pit. Garbage disposers were rare. A fairly well enforced ordinance required rat-proof covered steel garbage cans. Another proscribed paper and other trash from garbage cans. But it was so easy, when taking out the garbage wrapped in newspaper, to drop the messy newspaper into the ash pit rather than take it to the furnace and burn it. Not everyone rinsed cans well before placing them into the ash pits. So, most ash pits were breeding places for rats that could easily tunnel in.

Typical inside dimensions of ash pits were, as I recall, about 6 feet by 4 feet, and five feet high. The walls were four to six inches thick. There was no cover or floor. Imagine a five-foot long section of rectangular concrete pipe. Ash pits were of three kinds. Many were pre-cast concrete, made by P. A. Shorb, simply placed on the ground. Some were cast in place by use of two molds, for inside and outside. Some were built of brick to match the garages to which they were attached.

When the city began trash pickup, ash pits were outlawed. Remove it or cover it securely.

Why was trash proscribed from garbage? Hog farmers paid the city for routes to collect garbage for hog feed, not to haul trash. They would report trash in garbage cans. That all ended abruptly when, to reduce food-borne disease, pre-cooking of garbage feed was mandated. Such cooking was uneconomic, and ended garbage feeding. A source of pork contamination was thus eliminated. Antibiotics were then in the future.

Why was ‘rag picking’ practical? Cloth was then of cotton, wool, silk, linen, other natural fibers, or rayon. Cotton was (and is) used to make high-grade paper. Much wool was used to wick oil to bearings; some was cleaned and re-made into cloth. Glass, metals and some paper were recycled. Most plastics, whether spun into fibers and woven to cloth (Dacron) or used as containers or wrappers, were unknown. Pre-WW II, I recall only Bakelite, Micarta and Glyptol. Nylon had just emerged. During the War, tin was recovered from cans and toothpaste tubes; the Japanese held the tin mines. Rubber was reclaimed; the Japanese held the rubber plantations. Copper, aluminum, brass and zinc (Remember the liners of Leonard ice boxes and lids of canning jars?) were, and are, valuable for the war effort.

3. SEWAGE

Raw sewage flowed from the city sewers directly to the Mississippi until the 1950s. That being the case, the sanitary sewers and storm sewers were not separate. There were very many outfalls. The Metropolitan Sewer District was formed to solve these problems. It was necessary to decide how many treatment plants were needed, where they could be located, and the capacity needed by each. Then it was necessary to design interceptor sewers along the river, each sloped appropriately to a treatment plant. The engineer who did most of that remains a consultant.

4. DUMPS

Until the cleanup of the 1950s, trash was hauled to open dumps. A pastime for some was to shoot rats in the dump with a .22 rifle. That must have been at night by auto headlights.

5. MANURE

The streets had abundant horse apples. (Good for loosening St. Louis clay soil for gardening.)

Post from Unsigned (2/24/2007)

Dave, this is great…….. I was born in St. Louis in 1952 at DePaul Hospital and moved away in 1965. I remember Velvet Freeze in Webster Groves, the record shop there(they had the first Beatles 45’s), the Ozark Theater on Friday night (also in Webster).

The year the snow was so deep and lasted so long that you would sink in the mud if you got off concrete. Chapped calves from galoshes rubbing against them in the cold wet weather as I walked to school.

Mary Queen of Peace School picnic complete with a parade around the block, parents festooned their cars with streamers, each class had a costume then we went somewhere for a picnic at an amusement park.

The Sisters of Loretto playing basketball in the gym on Sunday afternoons.

Water fights on the Mary Queen of Peace parking lot.

Visiting the Great Aunts and Uncle on Flad Avenue near Forest Park. A real step back in time. Visiting Grandparents and cousins (I am one of 34).

Swimming at Westborough Country Club. Actually swimming practice, I was never good enough to swim the meet. But at the meets I could suck down lemon drops with the best of them.

Going to the Cardinals games with the Brownies.

Steak and Shake.

Mavrakos Chocolates.

Warson Woods.

Fetching out of town relatives at the airport. It was an event. You could still go to the gate and in those days people ‘dressed’ to fly.

Ice Skating in Clayton.

Seeing Santa at Vandervoorts.

Riding the train at Grants Farm.

Roaming my neighborhood without fear….those were the days.

Post from Sandra C (2/24/2007)

Pin Boys - - they sat back, behind the pins of a bowling lane and jumped up when the ball rolled back; then he cleared away the downed ones, and reset the rest. One pin boy worked two lanes. My brother worked at the bowling lanes in Swiss Hall on Arsenal Street.

The Lucky Strike commercials with the woman singing their song, and their slogan initials on the bottom of each pack: LS/MFT. Lucky Strike means Fine Tobacco. Remember her holding up the pack to her face and smiling?

Unfiltered Luckies, by the way, which sold for something like 20 cents a pack.

Absorene. It was pink soft putty like stuff that came in a can and you cleaned wall paper with it. Yes, instead of re-papering, you could actually clean your wallpaper. It smelled divine - - I can't imagine what it was made of. My sister and I liked to play with it.

Spoolies. They were small pink rubbery things, and girls curled their hair on them. Didn't need any bobbie pins. You'd wrap a small section of hair around it, then the top snapped down to stay on.

Metal/aluminum wave clamps for ladies to get the wavy hair style. They worked very well and the waves stayed in.

Onion skin stationery and envelopes for "Air Mail". It was much lighter paper and cost less to send long letters out of state. You had to specify if you wanted either air mail postage or regular. And if it was air mail, your letter was stamped with red ink "Air Mail, Par Avion". I guess some mail went by boat over seas.

Post from "The Animal" TWJ (2/28/2007)

Remmeber Grade school at Columbia.Blair schools,playing in St.Louis park,slidin' down the hills in winter on New " Brogan's", or some slick cardboard.Being a freshman at Beaumont High in 64', and ajunior at Central in 66', going to the Tower Show,then working there as an usher,Poor pete's,the Water Tower,playing B' ball at St.John's Church,and Rev, the fall hayrides,eating Old Style Sicilian Pizza from Kemoll's,when it was on N Grand,before it burned down.Seeing Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin,Alan King ,Nancy Sinatra,at the Teamster's Fund show at the Fox Theatre, when Arthur Enterprise still owned it,the old Loewe's State,and American Theatre's.Being a "PaperBoy",and delivering the Morning Globe,....having the smart alecks from O'fallon Tech. razz us about "Got a Post,...Lean on It,...or Got a Globe ,...Read It.Graduating from Central High in 68' and enlisting in the U.S.Marines and leaving from the Mart Building downtown,....lot of graet memories. Thanks Dave,fantastic site,...still live in St.Louis,south city now on Lansdowne.

Post from Dan (2/28/2007)

Thank you Dave for constructing this memory lane of living in St. Louis,

I remember.......

The ice cream counter at Bailey Farm Dairy on Meramec Street

Chewing on "Bubs Daddy" gum at Helen's confectionary store on the corner of Gustine and Keokuk Street

Playing soccer at Amberg park across the street from Helen's confectionary store

Listening to the "Cicada's" and "Cardinals" during an early summer evening

Tony, who was a scissor and knife sharpener strolling the streets with his cart and hitting his bell

Picking up my bundles of Post Dispatch newspapers at "The Shack" on Meramec Street with my wooden and iron cart

Hearing the church bells and going to sunday mass at Resurrection Church on Meramec Street and Hydraulic Ave.

Looking in the front window of Mavrakos candy store on Grand Ave.

Going to KATZ drug store on Locust Street, downtown, with Grandma and Grandpa

Eating at Pope's cafeteria

Seeing the Blues hockey team play at The Arena

Ordering "chili 3 ways" from a carhop at Steak N Shake

Going through "The Tunnel" under Chippewa Street to get to Famous Barr

Bike riding around Francis Park

Evening at Ted Drewes custard stand

Fried chicken at Hodak's on Gravois

Eating at the watermelon stand located near Gravois and Meramec streets, with Dad

Chain of Rocks amusement park, with Grandma and Grandpa

Eating oatmeal cookies from "Dad's Cookie Company", with Mom

Going to Ben Franklin's 5 & 10 store on Grand Ave.

Getting flowers for Mom at Netties flower shop on Grand Ave.

Eating pizza from "Imo's"

"Bevo Days" near Bevo Mill restaurant located on Gravois

Cruising down the Mississippi on the "Admiral", with Grandma and Grandpa

Gooey Butter Cake at Federhofer's Bakery

I miss it all........but adding new memories now in New England

Post from Vicki Brown (2/28/2007)

Love to hear about auto racing in the 1950's and 60's on a St. Louis dirt track. We lived in North St. Louis during that time, down around 23rd and Hebert and St. Louis Ave. before it was changed to MLK. My father drove a stock car and every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night through the summer, all 6 of us kids would pile in the car and drag the stock car out to the track. I can't remember what nights we race where, but I remember going to Lake Hill Speedway, I think out towards Fenton. St. Charles speedway, Godfrey Il. And I think there was a track in Alton, Il. Been to Belleview, Potosi, Tri-City, I can't begin to remember them all. Sure would be interested in hearing about those races or better yet have any pictures of my dad, " Big Daddy" Harvey Nichols was his name. He used to play music down on North Broadway as well. We lost all his racing paraphernalia in a fire a while back.

Post from Anonymous (3/3/2007)

This is for Vicki Brown who wrote about going to the races. When I was about 12 or 13 (1965-66) I often went to the races with the folks who lived down the street. My sister was best friends with their daughter and I would tag along when they went to the races. I can't tell you where we went, but I know they were stock car races. The family I went with helped sponsor a car driven by a man named Dwight Barbeau. If I recall correctly, he was called Dwight "CYCLONE 88" Barbeau. Ring any bells? I do remember we sure had fun.

For Dan….you shared several memories that I also recall. We must have grown up in the same area. I lived in the Tower Grove Area between Arsenal and Gravois. We practically lived on Grand. I spent many hours with my nose pressed against the glass at Mavrakos Candy on Grand Ave. We lived on McDonald right off Spring. Would love to hear from folks from my old neighborhood who remember hanging out on Grand Ave. Kingsway and Tillmans Restaurant were favorites..The Ritz Theater and Grand Bowl. Fresh bread from Bretschers Bakery. Looking in the windows of La Merit Bridal Shop and dreaming of my own perfect wedding gown. Getting dressed up for dinner at The Shangri La.

Post from Anonymous (3/3/2007)

Hi Dave, What memories.

I remember St. Engelbert's church at Christmas and the beautiful Christmas decorations against all the marble on the altar. I was mesmerized as a kid by the nativity scene. They don't build churches like that anymore.

The nuns at St. Engelbert's, some like angels in black and some mean as could be.

The old Busch stadium with all the peanut shells on the floor.

The huge wooden roller coaster at Chain of Rocks park.

Annie Oakley on Saturday mornings.

Going to the Italian restaurants on the Hill (called Dego Hill in those days. I didn't know what that meant.)

Babysitting for 50 cents an hour.

Working at the cosmetics counter at Katz in Florissant.

The sock hops at St. Thomas Aquinas high school (Florissant) and decorating our cars with hundreds of flowers made of kleenex for homecoming.

The St. Louis hop and American bandstand (all on black and white TV)

Riding our bikes anywhere we wanted to go, sometimes for the whole day.

Sledding at Art Hill.

Going to musicals in Forest Park. There was nothing more magical than the musicals on the brightly lit stage under the stars. This one rates four stars.

Post from Anonymous (3/3/2007)

from anonymous. The web site is awesome!

I grew up in South St. Louis.

I remember Velvet Freeze on the corner of Gravois and Compton.

Went to Roosevelt High School.

I remember the Melvin and Melba Theaters.

I remember the "Hot Tamale" man selling hot tamales wrapped in newspaper from a two wheeled push cart .

Cherokee Street was the shopping place.

Downtown Famous Barr's Christmas displays. It was a treat to go downtown and look at all the window decorations.

Walking to school from Pennsylvania Ave and Keokuk to Roosevelt.

Scrubbing the front steps leading to our one family flat. (the scrubby Dutch).

Marquette Park pool in the summer.

Ted Drews and the concrete malts.

Cruising the Steak N Shake at Morganford and Chippewa and then on to Steak N Shake at Gravois and Carondelet and back again.

White Castle on Kingshighway and the waitresses wearing roller skates.

Going to Lambert airport and being able to walk outside on the observation deck to get a close look at planes. No security to worry about.

The tornado that tore the Arena steeple down.

Chain of Rocks amusement park. The Highlands. Ice skating at Forest Park and sledding at Art Hill.

There are so many more. Thanks!

Post from Anonymous (3/6/2007)

I got a little information in regard's to Gus's Market in Hillsdale. My grandparents (Kip and Celeste) Lane owned it for a while. If my memory is correct, Lorraine was my great Aunt.

Post from Walt Boczek (3/11/2007)

I remember Holy Name school in North St. Louis. Remember every year they had a homecoming in the lot across the street.

How about Poor Pete's Pool hall by the White Water Tower on Grand.

Does anyone remember The Golden Point on Grand and Natural bridge.

How about Ashlaggies (spelling ?) market on 25th st.

Does anyone remember the lady that you paid after you had lunch downtown at Stix. She sat in a little booth. That was my Aunt Dorothy and she worked there for 40 years.

How about fish fries at Marcus Lutheran school or Pegatouski's on Florrisant & Angelica

Our phone number was OLive 2-0307

14th shopping

Thom McAnn

Elliott Grade school

The Walnut Park Buss

Penrose Police station (been there)

Post from Anonymous (3/11/2007)

Dave, you have done a fantastic job with this web site. I am soon to be 72 years old remember most everything that is written about growing up in St Louis in the forties and fifties with great fondness. I grew up in North St. Louis on 23rd Street near Newhouse. Went to Holy Trinity and DeAndries. My first wife, who grew up on Saint Louis Ave and went to Blair and Central passed away in 1966 , is buried at Jefferson Bks Cemetery.

I left St. Louis in 1955 to see the world. After a fantastic 28 year career in the Navy I settled in Maine. Each time I visit this web site and some of the comments about folks memories I get a warm fuzzy feeling because they bring back such great memories of growing up in such a fantastic place.

There was a question posted regarding remembering Rapp's Tom Boy Market on 22nd and Newhouse. I remember it and your parents well because myself and one of my buddies worked there. I distinctly remember your dad's big old cigars and his crazy ditties. Particularly the one that started "If it takes a kangaroo 3/4 of an hour to climb up a lamp post backwards++++" The butcher was a big heavyset fella named Earl and your Mom was nice but very stern.

It is heartbreaking to see what has happened to the old neighborhood. It was such a great place when I grew up there.

Thanks to all for sharing your memories!

Post from Col. Walt & Rosebud (3/11/2007)

In the early 1920's St. Louis was still a fairly wild town to live. Not like it was in the early 1800's mind you, but still wild. But in 1925 the Haas family opened up a little bakery and they made one treat that is credited with bringing total civilization to the city. The now famous Haas Gooey Butter cake. It has been said that people would line up outside the little bakery each morning to catch the sweet aroma of these cakes baking. It was even rumored that Presidents sent delegations to secure these cakes.

For years I dined on this rich creamy and soft cake every chance I got. Once I even wrote to Mayor Cervantes of St. Louis requesting that the Haas Gooey Butter Cake be named the official food of St. Louis and East St. Louis alike. When I received his reply, there was evidence that he had been eating one of the cakes when he signed it. I slept with that letter under my pillow to insure sweet dreams at night. As a teen I once broke up with a girl because she ate my last slice. Her father told me I should have beaten her for that!!.

Then travels took me to far off places, and even countries. It was seldom that I ever saw my Gooey Butter Cake. Oh, there were imitations abound, but none as good as the original. Lets face it, once you have tasted the Haas Gooey Butter Cake nothing else will ever do again. I worried the rest of my life may be spent without my cake. There was no way I could trust anyone to mail me any, after all, if they did not eat it themselves, it would be certain that the postal employees would, and in this day and age, claim it was for home land security.

Then not long ago while doing my grocery shopping I caught first a whiff,,, and I felt that it must be my senses in deep addictive reaching, as St. Louis was so far away,. No,,, then I saw to my delight that yellow box with the little plastic window in the top,,, AH!!!! There is was and entire section in the baked goods full of my cake.

Before anyone else could discover them I loaded them all into my basket,,,, all 46 of them. I simply could not risk that the store may or may not order more. I gorged myself, as did rosebud on the heavenly flavor of this manna from the Haas family, If God would have fed this to the Israelites they would still be out there wandering in the wilderness, refusing to come home as long as they could have the Haas.

As I sit here tonight, stuffed, rosebud on the floor with her feet in the air,,, I can gladly report that Haas has brought civilization to Florida,,,,,,, excuse me now,, ,I still have 18 cakes to go.

Post from "Animal' TWJ (3/15/2007)

I Remember,...

Sacred Heart Church & school,..

White Castles' by Little Sister's of the Poor Convent on W Florissant.

Londoff Bowling alley on Natural Bridge, Crown;s Candy Co. on 14th & St.Louis Ave,

Sobel'sDept. Store,BenFranklin's,Kresge's,& Woolworth's 5 & 10 cent store on 14 th St.

Hill Bros. 2 for $ 5 shoe store on 14th st

Forest Park Highland's-- the Comet & Bobsled

Chain of Rock's Fun Fair Park--the Mad Mouse

Xmas decoration's downtown at Famous,Stix,Vandervoorts

Spectrum's Head shop in Webster Groves, the last streetcar in St Louis,..

The Who in concert at the Arena,..CCR,Bo Diddley, & Earth,Wind & Fire at Kiel Concert Hall.

Sha Na Na at tht American Theatre downtown, Trader Bob's Tattoo Parlor when it was on Broadway.

Sneaking in to see Evelyn West strip to CCR's "Run Through the Jungle"

Hodge's Chili Parlor --downtown,

Playing bottle -cap ball,and Whiffle-Ball Leagues in Fairgrounds Park.later played softball there when I was older.

Being a "Patrol Boy in grade school at Blair school, w/ the white belt & badge.

Spanish Lake before it became polluted,

Stan Kann on the Organ at the Fox Theatre

The great "Onion Rings" from Velvet Freeze ,

Paper Tag with the neighborhood journal, Corky the Clown, & Captain 11 & Princess Moonbeam,...Jim Bolen on the U.S.S. Popeye

American Bandstand,St louis Hop,and Where the Action Is,...after school of course.

Friday night "Battle of the Band's" at Tower Show,remember Bob Shepard and the Shadow's won.

Wrestling at the Chase,--with George Abel,....& Dick the Bruiser,& Pat O'connor.

Frogleg's at Hodak's Bar,...Shoney's Big Boy at the Circle in N St.Louis

Golden Point---the precursor to McDonald's,....

By the way Sandra C.,...I still "Iron" my hankerchiefs.

a lot of great memeories from this city where we all grew up, Thanks for the great site.

Post from Ralph Poser (3/16/2007)

My name is Ralph Poser and I grew up in South St. Louis and lived at 4015 Hartford Street, five houses West of Roger Place. I love your web-site Dave, because it certainly does bring back a lot of fond memories. I to remember walking to the Ritz Show every Friday night, when I didn't go to the Granada and look forward to buying food from Tony the Tamale Man, after the show. My telephone number back then was Prospect 6-0277 and I went to Horace Mann Elementary School and graduated in 1959. I started playing baseball for Holy Family Parish when I was ten years old and I was the only protestant kid in the whole league, which didn't set well with some of the catholic parents.

I continued pitching baseball, cork-ball and fuzzball, until I was forty six years old, which allowed me to make a whole lot of friends that I wouldn't have known had it not been for sports. On the Southeast corner from my house was Guinner's Tom Boy Market and just across the street from Horace Mann was Rathgaeber's Pharmacy on the Northwest corner, then Katies Confectionery on the Southwest corner and Pauls Market on the Southeast corner. Also I can't neglect Habbies Dance Studio next door to Paul's Market. I regret to say that some of my old buddies have passed away since we were kids, like Eddie Johns, Perry Johns, Kenny Barnett, Bob Hammers and Eddie Musil, but they will always live in my memory. I'm sure that I probably walked every street in South St. Louis back in those days, we walked to Cherokee Street regularly and out to Dago Hill. We hung out on Morganford Road at Doc O'Neils Drug Store and on Grand Avenue at Minnies across from the Shenandoah Show.

I wouldn't have chosen a different neighborhood to have grown up in if I had the opportunity, and the kids in my neighborhood were the best in the world. I still stay in contact with many of them and I always will. Well I have taken up enough space for the moment, but I have only begun to reminisce and I will submit more memories at a later date.

Post from Ralph Poser (3/24/2007)

Dave, if you will allow me to continue my stroll down memory lane, as I mentioned in my original post, I haven't begun yet. I remember watching the old men (That's me now) pitching horseshoe's in Tower Grove Park, on Arsenal between Gustine and Roger Place. I couldn't believe the consecutive ringers they could throw.

I remember spending countless hours hanging out at Bent & Utah Park playing ball with my buddies, or playing hours of Fuzzball on the playground at Horace Mann School. When we got old enough to drive, we did some really crazy things like doing power skids in Tower Grove Park and Eddie Musil rolled his dads car. We would also play a game of tag with our cars, which we called "Rat Races", where one guy would take off and the rest of us crazy fools would chase him through alleys and streets until we hemmed him in, then it was someone elses turn. I know, it scares me now to think how crazy we were back then.

I remember the local Hot Rod Club called the "Avenue Angels" and hanging out at The Palace of Poison on Lemay Ferry Road, where all the hot cars would go. And don't forget the local gang "The Monkey's, who later became the Spartans A.C". if my memory serves me right

I remember the Friday night dances at the pavilion in Tower Grove Park (we called it the Luau).

I remember when Bob Hammers, Nathan Murphy, Dale Brooks and myself, drove through ten inches of snow in a 1949 Ford, to Memphis Tennessee, so we could meet Elvis, which we did by the way. Even truck drivers told us we couldn't make it, but we did.

Just one last thing I would like to write and that is to say thank you to all the kids who grew up in my old neighborhood, for supplying me with enough memories to last until I Die. Until I write again!

Post from Cheryll Kuhl (3/24/2007)

Hi! and thanks for all of the great Historical Info on your site. I was raised out in the "boonies" of Labadie Missouri and had very little experience of the "city" during my childhood. I am presently doing some research on the 1916 event of Miss Jim for the St. Louis Zoo. I have come across several names and wondered if I could find prodigy who remembered being told about the event. There was a Simon C. Steinberg, a Joe Stewart and a Anna Bentrup that participated in this event, along with up to 6000 St. Louis school kids. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. [email protected]

Post from Sandra C. (3/24/2007)

Just read the last posting from Ralph Poser. I went to Roosevelt High School with Eddie Johns, we were in the same advisory, and I went out with him a few times, but most of the 4 years I knew him, he went steady with a girl I won't name here. I was friends with her too. Ed Musil was also in my advisory, Mr. Jaeger's, and I had a huge crush on him but he never noticed me. So so sorry to know that Eddie and his brother have both died. And Ed Musil. I didn't know about any of them.

And all those places I remember so well, Katies, Minnies, Rathgebers - - not that I went there so much but I hung out with kids from that neighborhood and they all hung out there a lot.

And totally agree with you. There is no place or time on earth like there was in the 50's and 60's in South St. Louis. Big Velvet (Velvet Freeze on Gravois/Compton), and Little Velvet (on Grand). Car hops at Steak & Shake at Morganford and Chippewa and drinking their Orange Freezes. Drive-ins on a summer night and all the south St. Louis Teen Towns - - St. Pius, Sunset, Idle-Wild, Kopling House, and Tower Grove Park in the summer, and more I can't remember. Seeing Tina and Ike Turner live at Imperial Club. And of course, going over to Illinois to Radison's just at the end of the old JB Bridge. And the Artesian Club that I think was in Herculaneum.

And another memory: What ever happened to the radio disc jockey, John McCormick, the man that walked and talked at midnight? And his theme song "Dreamsville". Anybody remember him? He had a voice to melt ice, and he played music by Norrie Paramour, Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra, etc.

Who will admit to going out to Baumgartner Road when it was way far out and still all country & woods, and having bonfires and drinking beer, and the Bear Pits off of River Des Peres?

And, to the "Animal" who still irons his hankies, I say good for you !!! Most men don't even carry a clean hankie any more. Later, 'gator..............

Post from Patti Betz (3/24/2007)

My phone number was Prospect 30736.

Great football games between McKinley and Roosevelt and then Velvet Freeze afterwards

Rememeber the huge Football Mums at homecoming?

Sitting on the front porch until the weather got so cold your cheeks froze

Following the mosquito trucks on my bike

Mickey Mouse parades down Ann Avenue

Going to Hodak's for Chicken

Fish frys at Siegel school on Friday's

Confectionaries

Walking to Cherokee Street

California Donut Company

Riding our bikes to Reservoir Park - that was a long way!

The YMCA on Grand and Shenandoah

Having parties in our concrete basements!

Loads of fun!

Post from Anonymous (3/24/2007)

I grew up in North County and remember:

Cruising - Steak n Shake in Jennings

Chuck A Burger in Ferguson

Gooey Butter cake from Ozenkowski’s Bakery

The Snack Shack in Ferguson

The Admiral and Bob Kuban

"hip" clothies in The Way Out Department at Famous Barr

The Jade Room at Famous

The diner at Walgreens at Northland

The Savoy / Crown Theater

Sextro’s Market in Normandy

Godats

Pine Lawn Cleaners

Fishing At January Wabash Park

Running behind the bug spray truck

Prom Magazine

Post from Anonymous (4/2/2007)

GREAT SITE - evokes many memories

I grew up in Affton - SWeetbriar xxxx

First and Second grades at Salem Lutheran were upstairs from a tavern on Gravois and Lakewood. We gradeschoolors sat on the rock cemetery wall on Gravois to watch the steeple lifted onto the new church, maybe 1951?

Corner confectionaries - penny candy

Cho-cho's - chocolate malted ice cream on a stick

Looking at ALL the brides in Sunday's paper

Ditto looking at all the Maids of Honor and the QUEEN of the Veiled Prophet

Cheap perfume in little bottles shaped like Victorian lamps

My Uncle Fred Moegle was on tv with The Little Rascals

My Uncle Ted owned the Winter Garden!

Pevely Dairy in Webster with the colored fountain

Bailey Farm Dairy had wonderful ice cream.

The swimming pool at Rose Fanning school near Grandma

Free hot dogs for Girl Scouts in the log cabin at Grant's Farm

Playing Jacks during Salem's recess

The wonderful church parades when they closed Gravois for us. We'd decorate the cars, and everyone who marched was dressed up!

Watching the Indian test pattern when we got our first TV

The underground tunnel at Famous Southtown

We'd drive all day to get to Spring Garden swimming pool, or so it seemed

High School at Lutheran High School Central - Lake and Waterman

Of course, the Parkmoor on Debaliviere while waiting for the streetcar and bus.

The "Aud" at LHSC where boyfriends/girlfriends would hang out before school and hold hands.

I can remember GRand, VIctor, FLanders, SWeetbriar, TWinbrook, HUdson, MCdonald, MOhawk, CHestnut, UNion, WAlnut,

I remember when there was NOTHING West of the 66 Drive-In

Push mowers and hand clippers with long handles

Metal hair rollers

Newberry's in Maplewood with the wood floors

Live chickens being sold in dimestores

Little live turtles and the plastic dishes

Every yard had a Mimosa Tree.

We all went to the Jewel Box on Easter.

Most of all, I felt SAFE, wherever we walked or played.

Post from Marilou (4/2/2007)

Thanks for the website. I grew up in St. Ann, Missouri. Went to St. Ann grade school and then to Pattonville High School. Saw my first movie at the Airway Drive Inn where my mom and brother and I sat in the seats up front. Remember Howard Johnson on St Charles Rock Road and their wonderful ice cream. Used to shop at the Kroger store also on the rock road. Used to go to the Four Screen drive inn also. We also rode our bikes to the Legion Park for swimming during the hot summers. We would play outside till dark and you could hear Mom's all up and down Ashby road calling to their children to come and get cleaned up for bed. Halloween was wonderful, never had to worry about going to strangers houses, every one knew every one up and down all the adjoining streets. We also used to have street dances over in front of Grants Department store. My girl friend and I would get dressed up and ride the bus down to Wellston and then transfer to another bus to go down to the Fox or Lowell's theatre. Can not do that now. Those were the wonderful times.

Post from Walt Barry in Gainesville,Florida (4/2/2007)

I do remember the yo yo sales and demo guy who came by Scullin School in the early '50's when Ms. Sweetin was the Principal. I returned to St. Louis for a visit a couple of years ago and Scullin still looks great as do most of the surrounding " brick bungalows". We lived in a flat on Natural Bridge across from Brix Florist and the Hardware store/bowling alley. It was a great time to grow up. Still love the site; it's fun to visit and share memories.

Post from Michael Irvin (4/3/2007)

I want to respond to the post from Post from Rita (1/24/2007) and the Post from Anonymous (2/13/2007)

I lived just a few doors down from the guy on Grand Ave that decorated his house up and dressed as Santa. He would stand outside on the porch no matter what the weather and wave at the passing cars. I think I went to Cleveland High with Rita. I am a 1969 graduate.

Like everyone else I remember Ted Drewes, walking everywhere, Meramac St., Cherokee St. and tons of other stuff already mentioned. What I remember most though is the simplicity of life back then. We only got 3 channels on TV in black and white. I didn’t own a color TV until the late 70’s. There wasn’t a lot of money to go to places to eat, we didn’t have air conditioning, wall to wall carpet, or a second car. We cooled off sitting on the back porch which was screened in. I mowed the lawn with a real push mower. I spent my summers walking around just for something to do that didn’t cost money.

School was Mount Pleasant Elementary and Grover Cleveland High. Occasionally I got to go to the Ritz or Shennadoah for a matinee movie after school. I saw Hard Day’s Night and Help there. We had a party line with a 40 call limit. We had hot water heat. I walked to school. Life just wasn’t as complicated back then. I was a patrol boy in grade school and walked to Scruggs for Manual Training in the 8th grade. I can remember walking up to Ted Drewes on Grand in the summer for an occasional treat and hurrying home before it melted.

I spent my early years in East St. Louis and we called for our friends just like in St. Louis. Maybe the suburbs were more refined. I played with friends who went to St. Anthony’s and other Catholic schools. I would go roller skating out on Gravois at a storefront rink and on Wednesday’s at St. Anthony’s gym.

After graduation I moved away and haven’t lived in St. Louis since. Now my middle son is living in Arnold and just married so I hope to be visiting more often. Great site!

Post from Debbie Steffen Stewart(4/3/2007)

I'm writing this with tears in my eyes. I didn't grow up in St Louis, but my father did. Reading these memories brings back many of my dad's stories of growing up.
Some of my best memories are of visits to my grandparents. Seeing where my dad went to school, walking to the confectionary and going to the zoo. Yes, I remember Phil the gorilla!!!

Post from Tom In Florida(4/3/2007)

Great Site, Dave. Thanks.
I've already sent my memories, and had them posted. But, I've been trying to remember the name of the old L-shaped wooden roller coaster at th Chain of Rocks Fun Fair Amusement Park. Cany any one out there help me?

Post from Anonymous (4/6/2007)

Hi - Finally reading from someone from North County (Post from Anonymous (3/24/2007))
I remember January Wabash Park, I still like to go there an walk around.
"Running behind the bug spray truck" I do remember doing that, and thought we were the only stupid ones to do it.
Chuck A Burger in Ferguson, and the Ice Cream place close to it, don't remember the name, but they had what they called Pig Dinners, I think it was different sizes of banana splits.
Savoy Theater- Especially as I got older and it was older, your feet would stick to the floor from all the soda spilt.
Painting the store windows on for Halloween, I never won anything, but it was fun.
Walking to Northland to hang out, we would walk the RR tracks from Ferguson and Elizabeth.
The Milkman coming and running after him to get pieces of ice.
The little store on Chambers, by Hartnet, we would get the penny candy.
St. John and James School, the boys separated from the girls at recess. Playing across the creek that was between Elizabeth and Barat.
We spent many summer days in the "woods".
Ed's White Front BBQ - The BEST! The waiter who could remember a table full of orders and never write it down. I still love slaw on my BBQ sandwiches.
Where are the FERGUSON people????

Post from Karen Kleinberg, formerly from Wellston and Berkeley, now in Farmington, MO [email protected] (4/6/2007)

What a great way to share memories with fellow St. Louisan's.
My memories are: The bus loop in Wellston, riding the streetcars
The shiny, sparkly sidewalk in front of the State Bank of Wellston
I too would go inside the tavern we lived nextdoor to on Cote Brilliant and Hodiamont and get my dad a beer and I would get a rootbeer
Moving to Berkeley in 1958
Cool Valley Dairy; getting an ice cream cone, family driving to Brown Road, parking and watching the planes land at Lambert Airport
Dog & Suds; great root beer
Riding the bus from Berkeley to Grand; walking to Sportsman Park because we want to spend our quarter at the ballpark, then walking back to Grand to catch the bus home, we did this any day, any time....no worries!!
Chain of Rocks Park and Holliday Hill in Berkeley
Playing in the street on a summer evening "3 Grounders and a Fly" when you didn't have enough to play on teams
Playing "flashlight tag" in the dark on a summer evening after it was too dark to play ball
Riding our bikes from Berkeley to January Wabash Park, playing tennis in the summer and ice skating on the lake in the winter. Playing tennis at Jackson Park and listening to the bands in the summer

Post from John Henry Bure (4/11/2007)

Where are the people from North St.Louis ( bounded by these street's). 20th and Sialsberry to North Florissant and Madison Street and 20th and Benton to 14th Street And 20th to 14th St. ?????
Recently I drove through my old neighborhood and it is amazing that the only place's left are the Marx Hardware store (14th & Benton) and Crown Candy 14th & St.Louis Ave. The rest of 14th st is a ghost town the old Western Auto building has fallen down . I remember sleeping in Hide Park when it was so hot you could'nt sleep inside my Aunt lived across from the fire house on Sailsberry .I went to Jackson School at 16th & hogan and to Zion on 20th & Benton both of these have been closed for 3-4 years now.St. Liborious Church has been closed for years and the Rectory is a home for unwed mother's and the school is the juvenile detention center . They are building prefab housing all over but it isn't the same area anymore. For those of you who might remember my Grandmother (Lona Bell) ran the STOP LIGHT TAVERN on the corner of North Market and North Florissant. Angelo (Domanic's) father in law was the barber on the other corner.
Now for those from South St. Louis around 39th st & Cleveland My wife is Rene' Rullkoetter , she went top St Margaret's and Biship Deburg High her nick name at that time was Crazy Elephant . anyone whoi would like to contact us can at [email protected] . we still live in the same house Rene' has since 1954 .Here' s and us now
Dave I know you have heard this before but I'd like to THANK YOU again for having this web site.

Post from John Henry Bure (4/11/2007)

to Tom in Florida 4-3-07
The roller coaster at Chain Of Rocks was called the "MADMOUSE"

Post from The Pacific Northwest (4/11/2007)

Since it seems we're all giving out our old phone #'s - JAckson 4-4580 (North County, Ferguson-Berkeley areas).

Baton, tap, ballet lessons at Virginia James Dance Studio in Frostwood Plaza.

(For Poster, Pat Bishop - Dr. Matthews on Natural Bridge was my Dentist too! Remember the big red toolchest in his office and he'd let you mix your own mercury filling with a mortar and pestle? And, the giraffe chair stools in his waiting room?)

January-Wabash Park - Ice Skating on the lake in the wintertime and swimming in the pool during the summer months ONLY if you had a Ferguson waterbill stub to prove you lived in Ferguson (always good to have friends in Ferguson.)

Frostfield School - Go Orange-n-Black Tigers! Playing 7-UP at recess on the brick wall.

Northland Shopping Center - The Eastertime Animal Petting Farm. School shoes from Mother Goose Shoes and the golden egg with a prize. Woolworths and the 25-cent sundae was free if you popped the lucky hanging balloon.

GEM Discount Store 'out in the country' on Dunn Road - but you needed a membership card to get in for the deals. E.J.Korvette Store in Cool Valley.

Going in the family station wagon to St. Ann's 4-Screen Drive-In to see Swiss Family Robinson...in all directions.

Berkeley High School - Go Blue-n-White Bulldogs! (when it was OKay to have a school next to a major airport run-way). Monogrammed everything and Bass Weejun shoes.....

So many memories; so little space. Great site for time-tripping.

Post from Anonymous (4/12/2007)

I'm looking for memories of downtown St. Louis on V E Day in 1945. As I remember the streets were filled with people and confetti was coming down from the buildings. Would like to hear other memories of that day.

Post from Lynn in Michigan (4/13/2007)

I've spent the morning reading your Memories Pages and have cried so much my eyes are swollen. So, please forgive any typos. The memories spoken of on these pages are so precious. What I notice most is that even if the memories are from different decades, the essence of St. Louis is the same. St. Louis during the 40's, 50's and 60's was without a doubt, one of the best places to grow up. We were safe and innocent. I grew up during the 60's and we rode the bus Downtown every Saturday to see Johnny Rabbitt broadcast from Famous Barr. We cruised Hall Street all night long or until the Cops would open a fire hydrant and wet it down. We went to dances over on Grand and Flad at a church basement called "Hole in the Wall" or "The Place." They usually spun records, but if we were really lucky, The Younger Brothers would play. They were so amazing and had this sweet girl singer. I went to Roosevelt with her and she was only 15 and 16 when she was up there belting out "Band of Gold" and "River Deep Mountain High." What great times those were. St. Pius on Grand had dances too and often had a group called The Black Zone. They were so cool and cute!

We would pool our money and cruise all night on $3.00. The 8 track would blast The Young Rascals. We must have worn out 3 copies of Time/Peace. Remember singing along to the 8 track and how you'd have to stop singing while it changed tracks?

I remember going to see Steppenwolf at Kiel Auditorium They stunk, but the opening band that night was awesome. It was a then unknown group by the strange name of "Three Dog Night." We saw free concerts out in Forest Park at the Pavilion. I saw Credence Clearwater Revival and Janis Joplin with Big Brother.

We walked Tower Grove Park and surely left our footprints there. We skated every Friday night at Tower Grove Baptist Church. Such fun! I got my very first kiss behind that Recreation Building.

Horace Mann school where there were separate playgrounds and gymnasiums for the boys and girls. Mrs. Freer in 8th grade was the best teacher I ever had. Oh, how we girls looked forward to Square Dancing just to get to dance with the boys!

Everybody threw parties in their basements. I remember when I threw my first one. We lived in a 4 family building and my Mom made me go all around the building and ask every tenant if it was alright with them if I had a party. It was just the polite and considerate thing to do. The music was 45's played on my sister's box record player. Mom served us sloppy joes with chips and later brought out bowls of popcorn. There was a big washtub filled with ice and Pepsis. I still remember how much fun we had.

I remember when me and my girlfriends and sister discovered the "Bailey Tech" boys hanging around down on Hall Street. They were all boys from other states who had come to St. Louis to attend Bailey Technical College. They were all so cute and all had fast cars. I ended up marrying the cutest one with the fastest car and 37 years later, he is still my "Hall Street Boy." The sight of him bent over a car engine still makes my heart beat faster.

We left St. Louis for his home state many years ago, but we both still hold St. Louis dear in our hearts. He only lived there for 3 years, but it became his home just as much as it was mine. He said it was one of the happiest times of his life. St. Louis just had a way of doing that to you.

Life has been good and I wouldn't change a thing..But, oh how I miss and long for those sweet, sweet days.

Post from Christy (4/17/2007)

I don't know if you can post this or not, but I found a website called "FoodCraver" that features some of the favorite local foods of St. Louis, such as St. Louis style pizza, Ted Drewes, and the famous "Gooey Butter Cake" that several people posted about. You can order these foods, and have them shipped to your door. (Wish they offered "Steak Burgers" from Steak-N-Shake!)

http://www.foodcraver.com/index.html

I think this is a great site for those of us "displaced" St. Louisians who long for some of those foods you can only seem to find in St. Louis. It's a little pricey but worth it, I figure.

(Comment from Dave: This is certainly not an endorsement of this product or service, but if I was a "displaced" St. Louis native I'd probably resort to something like this. Thanks Christy)

Post from Karen Rogers (4/17/2007)

I am so glad to see someone from South County joining in. I was from Lemay. I lived in Bella Ville before it was a speed trap. Cusanelli's reataurant. Fish at Dohacks on Friday evenings and ribs on Sunday. You ate outside as there was no inside seating. Wr had a club house on the Meramec river behind Lone Elk Park, We thought it was so far to drive in to Valley Park for ice. Arlans store on Reavis and Lemay. Capri swimming pool. Also driving out to Spring Forest Pool. We also went to the Downs on Broadway. Going shopping on S. Broadway in Carondelet. It was all so wonderful. I grew up in the 50's.

Post from ChuckN. DesLoge, Mo.(4/17/2007)

Hi Dave, just a real quick one for anonymous 9/24/2006 I would be very happy to converse with you also about our old neighborhood in Downtown St. Louis, St. Patricks school, DeAndreis High School ETC.... I am ([email protected])

Post from Anonymous (4/17/2007)

Hi Dave,

I love this site...I was raised in So.St.Louis, Grand and Arsenal. My phone number was (prospect) PR 1-2836.

I remember waiting for the milk man, to deliver milk, just so he'd chip of a peice of ice for me. I remember the "hot tamale" man.. the guy that used to push his cart around to sharpen knifes, lawnmowers, etc.

I remember when TED DREWS, would put numbers on a board out front, if they matched your last 3 or 4 numbers of your license plate, you got a free icecream.
Walking to the zoo, through Tower Grove Park, without a worry.

Grand BowL; Velvet Freeze, Tillmans Resturant, The Ritz theater, all favorite hang outs for teens..

Riding on motorcycles, without helments, maybe not a good thing.....but was my choice.

I remember walking to Newman's Tavern,at about 8 yrs. old, and getting draft beer in a tin bucket for my grandpa.

Sitting out on your front porch, sometimes all night, visiting with neighbors; and sometimes to beat the heat, since we had no a/c!

Playing games with neighborhood kids; red light, hide n seak, tag, marbles, baseball cards, splits with a pocket knife, base ball, kick ball, putting on plays for the other kids, king of the hill, hop scotch, jump rope, square ball, so many more! How much fun it was; what the kids today are missing, is so sad!

I remember certain "characters", in the neighborhood......like a guy called "Superduck".. would probably ring a bell with a few. The old paper "boys" on Grand and Arsenal ST., I can still see them standing out in the snow and cold.

What a wonderful place St.Louis was, to raise a family! I wish I could go back, if just for a day!

There were gangs then also, I remember the Tower Grove gang, vs, the cherokee gang. But these "gangs", were harmless if compared to todays gangs. These gangs, only operatated on weekends, and usually amounted to drag racing.

I remember going to Hampton village, and riding the ponies.

And the photographer, that would bring his pony around to the neighborhood, to take pictures.

Post from Pat (4/17/2007)

Thanks for the site, it's great !

Hi Dave, thanks for all the great memories! Just when I needed it the most, here came your 'memories' forwarded to me.

I opened them right before I went to bed, and I think I went through my childhood all night.

How about "My Dad says don't put a head on it." (The pail of beer.) Or the outside ice box. (A orange crate that was at- tached to the window sill in the winter.)

Walking home 6 blocks at lunch time and then back again before the bell rang. And seperated school yards.

The Lady Cigars - my big brother let me try. They were from a tree that grew near the sand lot where the neighborhood boys blayed ball or bottle caps.

The first swimming shift at Fairgrounds park on a Sunday after- noon followed by a show at the Lindell theatre.

Using a tennis ball to hit the edge of our home's foundation. And ash pit hunting. Oh what treasures we could find!

And the free 6oz. bottle of Coke Cola we received one a year from Coke Cola Company at school. That was the best drink I think I ever had.

I guess you figured out that I'm a Depression child. Feed bags made dresses and cardboard lined shoes. Now my grandchildren pay $140 for one pair!

There was a time when you payed one dime to get a seat in CHURCH. And if a kid talked the Priest would stop saying Mass and tell the offender to leave. That went for crying babies. Parents were asked to take them out of the church.

Thanks for all the good memories Dave, keep it going.

Post from Anonymous (4/20/2007)

From the Pacific NorthWest --

Oh yes! @ the pony rides at Hampton Village. Anyone else remember the dry cleaning business that had a long row of clothes dryers always going in the storefront window and each was a different color?

((Dave, your site is great. You seriously should consider making this an interactive forum messsage site because.......all of us StL Kids are homesick! - LoL). (Comment from Dave: Been there, done that. I set up a St. Louis Blog just for that purpose a long time ago. I think I had about three postings in the last six months.)

Post from Anonymous (4/20/2007)

To Anonymous 4-17-07. I enjoyed reading your memories. We grew up in the same area and it sounds like it must have been about the same time. I practically lived in Tilmans! I also remember the "Gangs" and you are right..they were harmless. I'd love to talk with you more and see if maybe we knew one another. I think it's entirely possible. You can reach me at [email protected]

Post from Anonymous (4/20/2007)

I worked for Katz Drug at 7th and Locust. I remember eating at the Forum, having a beer at the Brown Derby and shopping at Rice Stix.

Post from La-Verne (4/21/2007)

Hi Dave, this site is great!

Here are a few of my memories!

Going to the corner confectionary for a 5 cent, banana dipped in chocolate, and couldn't wait to get it!

You could buy 1 cigarette for a penny.

Plus your penny candy!

Getting a coupon for White Castle's out of the paper. At regular price they were only 5 cents a peice! And are exactly as they are today.

In the Soulard area, the houses still had out houses!

The kids would wait, for the roads to be tared, so we could get a hunk and chew it like gum.

The government would issue "stamps", for shoes, sugar, gas, because of the war, things were rationed.

Getting your drivers license was as easy as going to the Court House and paying 25 cents, taking an eye exam; no indenification or driving test, or written test were needed.

The Shows or Theaters, would sell their popcorn out infront of the show. I would put the kids in a wagon, go to the show, which had benches on one side, seats on the other, and take the wagon into the show; sitting on the side with benches.

905 on Cherokee St., had a resturant in it.

Rent was $25.00 a month, and it was frozen, again because of the war. A landlord could only make someone move, if it was to let family move in.

If your house was hot, people would go to the parks,(Forest Park) with blankets and sleep out.

Everyone knew the Cop on the beat! And he knew every kid and family on his beat! The kids respected him and liked him. He was known to give a hit with his stick, to a kid misbehaving (on the leg)!

Gangsters, would respect women and children, and not bother anyone else outside their "buisness circle". Hogan gang comes to mind.

We would go to the tavern with the family. The men would play cards for money and enjoy thier beer.

I remember we'd go to Bulls Tavern alot, on Louisianna St.

Morris Varitey Store on Cherokee St. had the best stuff, anything you wanted you could find there!

You never had to lock your doors in those days!

After I would put the kids to bed, my girlfriends and I would sit outside on the porch half the night talking and laughing.

I lived at Arsenal and Grand St.

At the time their were alot of "Bums", as we called them, that made their home in Tower Grove Park.

I would make them sandwiches and fix them up a care package.

As I can think of more, I will post again..

Thanks Dave!

Post from Bruce Kunz- a.k.a. "The FIN MAN"™ (4/29/2007)

What a great web site you have here. I think I'm going to have to print out all 50 pages and use it for triggering memories of the fifties and sixties for use in my weekly column in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. I write The Old Car Column which appears every Monday on the front of the Classified section next to Fast Lane Classics display ad.

I'd love to contribute some memories, but as I peruse the volumes of memories sent by your readers, I can't imagine how I could come up with something that hasn't been listed already.

I hope to syndicate my articles sometime this year and I wish there was a source like this in other cities. Perhaps a search for "memories of ???" would turn some up.

Perhaps you or one of your readers could help me answer a question. When I was a very young boy, I seem to remember a legendary teen named "Hot Rod Moore". My father owned a service station and I was always very interested in cars. This Hot Rod Moore was notorious for flirting with the law... drag racing and then disappearing from sight, eluding the police whenever possible. When I searched the web, your site was one of the results. The only thing I could find, however, was a simple listing "Hot Rod Moore" in a long list of someone's memories. I'd like to know more facts about who he was... where he went to high school (of course), whatever happened to him... is he still alive, etc.

If you or a reader could help me answer these questions, please let me know. Thanks a bunch! www.thefinman.com

Post from Anonymous (4/29/2007)

hOW GREAT A SITE AM REALLY ENJOYING. i REMEMBER THE Castle LOMA watching Chuck Berry My girl friend and my self walking to THE WATERMELON STAND ON GRAND AND Chipewa getting a loaf of fresh baked of bread from the bakery shop on Cherokee street, after going to the Cindarella show. I remember how the Melvin movie show called out ticket numbers to win dishes or food. I remember my girl friend lived in sHANY Town by the river. I was born in 1942 tHANKS FOR the memories

Post from P. Goad (4/29/2007)

Hi how are you:) I was wondering if u had any info on the St Louis Hop. I'm trying to find info basically on the Show but no luck. Thank You. (Comments from Dave: Well, any Hop memories??)

Post from Bill Rogers (4/29/2007)

What memories! WOW! I am not the same Bill Rogers that wrote on 2/19/06.

I lived most of my life at 2206 Portis. It was a island of houses behind Shaw's Garden. It was bounded by Vandeventer, Kingshighway, Shaw, Alfred and Magnolia. Tom Eagleton lived nearby, in a small area of very nice homes.

I went to Wade School on Vandeventer. When I got to the eight grade, they closed the eighth grade and sent me to Mullanphy on Shaw. It was far enough they let me ride my bicycle to school. That was cool.

Bill the Blind Man, came through the neighborhood once a year selling brooms. He knew the streets by heart. He never needed help to find his way.

There was a rotund man who came around several times a year. He would walk down the alley yelling, "I buy old clothes."

I was in the Soap Box Derby. It was held on the "Express HIghway" on the slope in front of Deaconess Hospital. Those little cars would really fly down that hill.

My phone number was MOhawk 0115. Later, I went to college in Columbia MO. My phone number was GIbson 5-4643, but you only had to dial 4643.

Ed Wilson, the disc jockey at KWK in the Park Plaza Hotel, would let teens come into his studio after school.

The Peveley dairy man delivered milk to your door daily, from his horse drawn wagon. The ice man also had a horse drawn wagon.

Played football in Tower Grove Park after school.

Worked as a soda jerk at Brandt's Drug Store at Kingshighway and Columbia(?). Near Southwest Bank.

Went to Roosevelt High School. Dated (and married) a girl that attended Southwest High School. That was not considered cool.

Sang in the A'Cappella choir. That wasn't cool either, but I liked it.

Only get back to St. Louis every 20 years or so. The map in my head is circa 1950. I can't find my way around.

Movies at the Columbia theater on Southwest was just a dime, for a double-header, a cartoon and a serial.

Used to ride our bikes to a drug store on McRee and Tower Grove to get thick, thick malts for 15 cents.

Busses cost a dime for kids. A weekly bus pass to get to high-school cost 50 cents.

These are very pleasant memories. Unfortunately, you can't go back.

Post from Anonymous (5/1/2007)

I don't know what happend to Hot Rod Moore, but his brother is an attorney in Clayton, Richard Moore.

Post from Michele Ruggeri-Johnson (5/1/2007)

I grew in South County in the late 60's, 70's and 80's but all the rest of our families lived on the Hill. I remember things like Fridays at Rollercade with KXOK playing in the room, KSLQ was the first FM station I remember. IT was a whole new way of hearing music!

We could sled ride down the street in front our house and then turn sharply to make it down the "side street"....extending the ride considerably! The cars would progress SLOWLY down the residential streets as there were MANY MANY kids outside playing baseball, tag, tennis, catching fireflies etc. We'd stay outside until we couldn't see anymore or the gaslight came on, granted it was ALWAYS on but we didn't know that.

Seeing the Arnold water tower being built from our back yard deck. At that time, we lived in virtual wilderness......could see the stars!

When we would visit our grandparents, we were treated to the pony rides at Hampton and ?Sutherland?......near the Pizza Hut now. After that, our dinner would include a stop at the Woolworth's or Walgreens in Hampton Village for a cheeseburger and hot fudge sundae. My mom's side didn't have A/C so we sweated it out with Brown Cows and water on the front porch. My dad's side had A/C so we were always outside anyway! Go figure. My grandmother lives across the street from Ruggeri's restaurant where her husband worked (Chief, or the Maitre De') for endless years. All of our male family members did.....it was GREAT to sit on Grandma's front porch under the neon lights of Ruggeri's and watch the limos pull up with ladies in their diamonds and fur coats. Many of these women would call my grandmother by name and wave across the street. I thought we were famous!

Although I'm a bit younger than most of the previous posters.......I remember alot of what they are saying via my parent's memories.....thanks Dave!

Post from Carol Smith (5/14/2007)

This is a reply for Bruce Kunz-aka "The Fin Man".
Bruce, I don't know about "Hot Rod Moore's" brother being an attorney in Clayton, but if so, it must be a much younger brother. The reason I say that is I'm 63 years old and "Hot Rod Moore" was quite a bit older than I. I don't know what ever happened to him, but I do know that his father was a doctor, who had an office in the vicinity of 14th and Chouteau around 1960. Hot Rod Moore was certainly a St. Louis legend in the late 50's and early 60's and I would imagine that if he is still alive, he is in his early to middle 70's at least.

Post from Kathleen Neason (5/14/2007)

Thanks so much for the site, it has been incredible to read.

I would love to hear if people remember Ernie Heldman and the Parade of Magic, with his lovely acrobatic assistant Arlene Mardel? That was my parents, and they had a saturday TV show for many years on KSD. Dad would say, "What's the magic word?", and the audience, made up of scouts, would yell "pepsi", (the shows sponser), and the magic trick would happen..

I would love to hear from people who remember the show, and I am looking for any memorabilia for my grandchildren..

Post from Jean Scheele Holley (5/14/2007)

I grew up in St. Louis in the late 50’s and 60’s. First in Affton and Warson Woods in the 1960’s), later in Chesterfield for high school (out in the sticks then). My grandma lived in “south” St. Louis near Gravois Rd. and never drove a car in her life. My cousin and I would spend a week every summer with her. She would take us downtown to watch a movie and then eat at Pope’s Cafeteria. It was a big treat.

Other memories prominent were:

Phil the gorilla (rest in peace old fella- that was a jail he lived in-amazingly primitive by today’s standards) amd Siegfried the sea elephant at the zoo. We went several times a year, every year. It was always stifling hot and there were no frozen cokes then! But, I always loved it.

In Warson Woods, we all played in the woods by the greenhouses after school It was a natures paradise. You could swing on grapevines, clear out some brush and make a little fort for yourself and your friends, run by the creek, look for rock treasures, occasionally find some wild creature like a turtle, just sit and be by yourself if you wanted. No worries. It was great. Warson Woods was a great school. We had the same teacher for two years. Recess was huge. We would play jacks, Chinese jump rope or tag. Or we would use the jungle gym, chin up bars or go sit in the big pipes and talk. Mr. Westrup taught us to play Capture the Flag. Anyone remember Mr. Westrup out there, how about Mrs. Adams and Mrs. Dubrey? We had fun. All the mothers watched and they all knew each other. We couldn’t get away with much stuff without someone knowing. Anyone remember the sewer that we used to run through that let out the “other” side of Manchester Road? They blocked it off once the parents figured out what we were doing.

We all hang out at the pool during the summer. There were occasional parties for the teenagers there in the summer with the pool lights and streamer decorations. The right of passage for kids was to pass the test to swim in the deep end. You had to swim two lengths of the pool and tread water for two minutes. I can’t believe I can still remember that one.

We all listened to KXOK and faithfully picked up the pamphlet sized sheet with the top 40 hits of the week. Russ Carter was the host of the St. Louis Hop-our own version of Dick Clark. His mom lived next to my grandmother. He was a very nice man. It was so cool that we actually knew him when we were kids.

Other memories, the ice cream truck, the mosquito spray truck, barricades placed in the street that you had to go around to help keep people from speeding, the Sandy’s restaurant on Manchester Road, huge sonic booms that actually knocked me off my bike one time, 5 cent coke from Kroger, in a kid sized cup. The kids either went to St. Genevieve or Warson Woods. We would sometimes pass each other as we would walk separate directions on the way to school. At least kids weren’t going to ten different schools yet living on the same block. We would play kickball on our court. I would crawl down the sewer to get the ball sometimes because I was little and could fit better than some of the bigger kids.

Manchester Mall was the first indoor mall I could remember. I remember going to Vandervoorts and getting a princess ice cream with sprinkles with a porcelain doll on top. The doll was the just the head and torso, the ice cream with the sprinkles was the skirt. It seemed magical to me as a small child.

St. Louis was a consistent source of the zoo, Winter Gardens for ice skating, the Jewel Box for amazing flowers, Grants farm, Cookie and the Captain show, Rockwoods Reservation, the Admiral for dates, or the Muny Opera, going to the Ozarks for vacations, the Riviera with lots of fountains and little pools, north St. Louis with beer gardens, the never ending job of watching the Arch being built every night on television. Bob Chase saying with wonderful genuine words every night on the news, “ I hope you had a great day today and an even better day tomorrow. This is Bob Chase reporting, good night.” Constant and abiding love of the St. Louis Cardinals and Blues hockey. Even listening to the ball game during school when St. Louis was in the World Series. Nothing was better than watching Lou Brock steal bases. He was my hero.

I totally agree with a previous post, there is no place like St. Louis for a rip roaring thunder storm. We got super duper hot, still stifling air then huge thunderstorm clouds, a green tint to the air and then the air crackled with some huge bolts of lightening and thunder. It was the most exciting time right before the rain came down.

Thanks for letting me remember the childhood moments. It is wonderful to read all the posts. In researching my family, I found family in St. Louis as early as 1812. They lived in the German communities in St. Louis. Some of the earliest posts include memories my grandmother and parents have shared with me. Thanks for the great website.

Post from JIM KEITH(5/14/2007)

REGARDING HOT ROD MOORE......ROBERT HAMILTON MOORE, SON OF DR. HARRY MOORE IS ALIVE AND WELL IN THE CWE OF ST LOUIS. FROM A DEDICATED GENEALOGY IN ST LOUIS FAN.

Post from Doris Whitmore Email: [email protected] (5/15/2007)

I've been checking the memories, off and on, for the past couple of years. Reading them refreshes my memory to some things I've forgotten and reading other memories that I too remember give me a warm but sad feeling that they are all in the past, never to be experienced again.

I went to (St. Alphonsos) Rock for my first 4 years of grade school, circa 1945-1949. When I went into 4th grade there, they integrated the Catholic schools and I became a minority as one of the few white children in attendance. We had frequent processions at Rock Church and we girls wore beautiful long gowns and the boys wore the white cassocks with a wide band trimmed in gold around their waist. I still have some old photos of my classmates in and out of our procession clothes.

My last 4 years of grade school were at St. Francis Xavier. We then moved to north St. Louis area so I started high school at DeAndreis and went there for 2 years. We moved again and my last 2 years of high school (class of '57) were at Xavier. Xavier High and St. Francis Xavier grade school are now part of St. Louis University campus. I jokingly tell people that I'm so old (67) that I've outlived the high school from which I graduated.

At 15 yrs. old, I lied about my age (said I was 16) and got a job as candy girl at the Fox Theater. In the summer I worked as an usherette during the day, took 1/2 hr. dinner break, changed from usherette uniform to candy girl uniform and worked in the candy stand until 11:00p.m. or midnight. Last year a friend that I've kept from my Fox candy girl days, and I went to the Fox for a tour. The candy stand is gone but it's as beautiful as it always was. Lots of movie stars appeared at the Fox while I worked there; Charlton Heston, Virginia Mayo and her husband Michael Shea, and Jack Webb made appearances. Before I worked there, my parents took us kids to the Fox frequently and on one of those occasions we went to the stage door after the movie and I got to shake hands and talk to Ann Blyth and Joel McCrea. I moved to CA in 1958 and never saw any movie stars there!!

My favorite pizza was the cheese pizza at Pagliacci's at Kingshighway & Manchester. I have one of their menus before me as I write this. A small cheese pizza was $1.10. Lobster Tail was $3.00. When my grand daughters were very young (they're 18 & 21 now) I'd tell them about these prices & they'd be so amazed. But I put it in perspective for them by explaining that minimum wage then was .55 cents an hour (what I earned at the Fox) so it took 2 hours of labor to buy one cheese pizza but that today, it would take less than 2 hours labor at minimum wage to buy the same basic chees pizza. Of course, gas was really cheap then, especially when the stations would have the gas wars, and you could mail a letter for 3 cents.

I moved back to St. Louis 3 1/2 years ago & so much that I loved has changed. I used to hike through Forest Park, many times alone (amazing that a young girl could do that), in all seasons and I'd follow the white paint marks on the trees which would take me by all the points of interest in the park. The waterfalls were my favorite places. I've always considered Forest Park "my park" and of all of the places I've lived these past many years, I've never considered any parks as wonderful as Forest Park.

Missouri Bakery on the Hill - yummy, yummy. No where that I've ever been knows what bakery really is like St. Louis does.

People from my youth that I wonder where they are now - Katie Humphries, Judy Kaatman, Margaret & Dorothy Summers, Rich Carlton, "Skippy" Carlton, Kenny Scroggins & his sister, JoAnn Bathe, and many others whose faces I can see but the names escape me. Maybe they'll turn up here on this great memories site & will contact me.

Like many of the posters, I could go on and on but enough for now. Hi Dave, Fantastic sight, got two replies, because I have two seperate memories.

From 1951 to 1961 lived on the corner of Michigan and Itaska in ST. Hedwigs. This replies to Michael Irvine 4/3/07. Hedwigs had no scouts so we had to join the group at Mt Pleasant for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, They had fast pitch softball for cub scouts back then and I remember us playing and practicing at Dakota Park. The guys from Hedwigs would play ball at Eichel-Penn, 3/4's of a city block that was undeveloped and had a ball field on it, obviously on the corner of eichelberger and pennsylvania. We could get two full teams and had guys for substitutes. We'd play from 7am til "the street light came on".

The Sherbert Shop on Virginia and Itaska. Ahandfull of us walking to Meremac and catching the street car to Sportsman park for most Sunday Doubleheaders.

Second set goes out to Dan 2/20/07, Helen's confectionary, Bailey Farm, Resurrection, Drewes, etc. Lived in that "hood" from 61 til 73. Some one mentioned Amberg Park, it was known as Dunnica Park before that cuz there was a grade school there Dunnica School,on Dunnica Street. Could go on and on, Ventimeglia's watermelon stand at Chippewa and Gravois, had the best burgers somehow. Bailey Farm made their chocolate shakes and malts with, Chocolate milk, chocolate syrup, and chocolate ice crream. Playing soccer at Amberg when the temperature was in the triple digits. GOOD TIMES!!! I will certainly be back again and hope to see some responses to my posts and maybe even some one I remember. I was BO or BLINKIE back then.

DAVE, FORGOT SOMETHING EARLIER, GRAND AND MERAMEC AREA CHEX GRILL!!!!

Post from Tom Conway, Sr. (5/22/2007)

I was born in 1933, and lived in a big brick house at 5021 N. Union Boulevard until I was 13 years old. Our phone number was Mulberry 0211, layer changed to Evergreen 5-0211.

My dad was a physician and surgeon, and had his office upstairs. He charged 50 cents for an office visit, $1.00 for a house call, day or night, and delivered babies for $20.00 over the price of the house call. The Pauline theater was around the corner of Union & Lillian, on Claxton Avenue, and you did not have to cross the street to get there. It cost 10 cents under 13, and 35c if over. Popcorn was 5 cents a bag, 10 cents a box. I remember my first day in Miss Bomparte's kindergarten class at St. Philp Neri, like it was yesterday. During WW 2, we used to sit on the front porch and watch tanks and army trucks head for the railroad from the Fisher Body plant at Union and Natural Bridge.

In 1947 we moved to my Grandparents' home at 4926 Geraldine, about a block and a half away, and my Dad moved his office to the Bright Building at Page and Kingshighway. I went to De Andreis High, and later commuted to Harris Junior College by Public Service bus until I went into the Army in 1953.

Other fond memories include Mac Namer's market, Irwin's ice cream parlor, the annual ice cream social at St. Paul's Presbyterian church, the Keyhole Lounge at Union and Thekla, and the Corkscrew Lounge on North Kinshighway

A couple of hours ago, I almost wrote a book. However, I remembered that Dave mentioned standing outside friends' houses to call them out to play, and wondering if that was a St. Louis thong. Maybe it was, and I thought of a few more. "Bottlecaps" & corkball. Almost every bar had a cage in the back! Also, I wonder if St. Louis was the only city with ashpits behind every house. Another unique custom was "trick or treat" on Halloween, when you had to perform by singing or telling a joke to earn your candy. I also remember double decker busses and trolley cars, and horse drawn milk wagons during WW 2. Thanks, Dave for giving a forum for fond recollections to the old-timers who hang out on the net.

Post from Tara Perrin (5/22/2007)

My Grandmother used to stop at Rapp’s bakery and get a cheesecake for us on her way to Hawk Point to visit. This was a huge treat. I have looked for recipes for that dry tart cake for 25 years to no avail. I remember watching them build the Arch. We moved to Kansas in “67” and then to Georgia a year later. I still have tone of “kin” in the area and get back as often as possible.

Post from Charlotte Ketts Moyer (5/26/2007)

I remenber going to Sam the Watermelon i think it was on Grand and he was so famous that movie stars would go there. Also comeing home from High School i got 12 White Castles foe a dollar i was 15 then i am 66 now.

Post from Anonymous (5/26/2007)

Rio Show in Walnut Park
Steak & Shake @ the circle
Diary Queen in Walnut Park
Running behind those mosquito trucks in the white smoke.
Hanging out at River Roads on Saturday.
Walking around in Calvary Cemetery.
Blue Bells Market corner of Thrush Ave and West Florissant.
Club Imperial
Sunday taverns
Walbridge School
Northwest High

Post from Teresa "Cappiello" Roberts - Lived in St. Louis until 1986 - I visit twice a year (5/26/2007)

I found your site while searching for the Oak Hill grade school (Morganford Rd) Alumni. I'am a CHS grad of 79".
It's been a long time since I heard anyone talk of Charlie's store, across the street from OHS.
Here are a few things I remember.
Listening to the radio during class. 1965.
Miss Perry and memorizing poems for blue stars.
Oak Hill.
The steak n shake sign being blown away after a storm.
My old phone number. FL15109 (Flanders)
Having alot of bakeries and markets in the area. Kohnes. Brunes and Sis's sandwich shop.
The viaduct. We were never allowed to play there, because Bums lived in there...
Bucket Man Joe.
Doc's drug store on Beethoven. It closed. I heard for illegal reasons.
Mrs. Parle
The Big slide
Being able to go home for lunch while going to Oak Hill school. Even in second grade.
Parks and Recreation activities during the summer. At area schools.
Cutting through the alley and Jaywalking on the way to school. Being told on by the "patrol guards"
Staying out all day long with everyone in the neighborhood. Not going home until the street lights came on.
Milk being delivered by Bailey Farm Dairy.
When Steak n Shake was really small. Counters only.
Sitting in the balcony at the Granada Theatre. Free tickets from Oak Hill School to see Yours, Mine and Ours. The long lines to get in.
Sneaking in the theatre once.
I met a gentleman at work, a retail store. I asked him where he was from. St. Louis. I said, me too. He asked me what High School I went to. He was Roosevelt class of 1965. That has to be a St. Louis thing.
Your site is great.

Post from Kaye Pauma Valley, Southern California since 1984 (5/29/2007)

I remember the neighbors slamming the doors when my brothers biker gang (El Fisteros or the old Boneshakers) would roar up the street.

Love Chuck – A -- Burger pizza burgers, A and W root beer floats, Tip Top in Overland had the best fish sandwiches and hanging out at White Castles and Steak and Shake.

I glorified in the fact that I could go to Cahokia or Alton, Bellville to drink and dance all night long, those were the days. I am in bed now by 10:30pm.

I loved to swim in the river and jump off the cliff at Sioux Passage; I loved to play Frisbee with the cute guys.

All of the concerts that we went to. It was every other night at the Kiel and I loved the Fox and Joe Walsh rocked the place.

We hung out at Northwest Plaza and played in the fountain when it was so hot.

How we would walk the railroad tracks through Ferguson when we skipped school so the one officer would not see us.

The Ben Franklin had the neatest stuff, just like Kresges (correct spelling?), and the old Katz stores

I just plain old had a real good time, but I am sure glad that I have St. Louis to come back to visit on occasions.

Post from Anonymous (5/29/2007)

Hi Teresa. We must have gone to Oak Hill at the same time. I graduated high school in 1980, out of state, but I remember Miss Parle and Charlie's and the safety patrol. My dad had to retire from AB at a very young age and was the president of the PTA at Oak Hill and was responsible for the safety patrol. We lived on Bingham, right across the street and I got in trouble if I jaywalked! It was great to come home for lunch. Thanks for reminding me of the summer activities there too. I'd forgotten about that. We used to make pot holders and key chains and I learned to ride my bike on the play ground.

Post from Anonymous (5/31/2007)

THIS IS REALLY GREAT, BROUGHT BACK A LOT OF MEMORIES. I REMEMBER WHEN THE CLYDESDALES WOULD COME RIGHT DOWN 12TH STREET. PHONE NO. WAS PROSPECT 3123. HY. 55 BEING PUT IN AND THE BUILDINGS BEFORE THAT. HEARING THE BOATS ON THE MISSISSIPPI BLOW THEIR HORNS WHILE LYING IN BED AT NIGHT. NO AIR CONDITIONING, FEELING THE AIR BLOW THRU YOUR WINDOW FROM THE GALLY WAY BETWEEN THE ROW HOUSES. I WANT TO THANK YOU DAVE, YOU MADE MY DAYS AHEAD READING THESE GREAT MEMORIES. KIDS TODAY DON'T REALIZE WHAT THEY HAVE MISSED. TOO MUCH TECHNOLOGY FOR THEM TODAY.

Post from [email protected] (5/31/2007)

To anonymous post 4/6/2007 from Kaye in Pauma Valley, Southern California
Ferguson people are lucky to have left the area.
You spoke of the mom and pop store where you bought penny candy. My grandfather owned the Sinclair Station next door. We are alive and well in Pauma Valley, CA.
There is a boy that lived over in that area my mom and his dad wanted us to marry. I ran away from home to save both of us from a sad situation.
Actually I ran away from Ferguson 50 times or more. The last time I never did come back.
So Ferguson people are alive and well in sunny southern California
I just wanted to add a few more of my favorite things
Walking at midnight on the closed Chain of Rocks Bridge
Cruising Creve Couer Park
Rainbow Lounge on the Rock Road
Dancing at the Music Palace
Imo’s Pizzas with sausage and mushrooms and speaking of mushrooms……
Concerts at SIU, Beach Boys, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, The Who
Cosmos Corner and Post Bellum

Post from Anonymous (5/31/2007)

HI, I was born in St.Louis in 1955 in Walnut Park on Davison Ave. Some of my memories are:
Not having to worry about what time to be home at night since we knew to come home when the street lights came on.
Waiting for Mr Softee or waiting while trying to talk mom into giving us money and we would have to catch up with Mr Softee on the next block! Listening for the snow cone man
Buying the BEST tamales on the corner late at night on the weekends
Going to Ed's white front who had the BEST BBQ EVER!!
Sunday afternoons taking the family" drive" either to Forest Park, or go "window shopping" since the stores were all closed on Sunday
Remembering when they changed our phone number to all numerals, we had a COLFAX number
Spending our summer afternoon days at Sheeny Hollow which later became Dwight Davis Park, then walking over to Dairy Queen for a Mr Misty.
Going to Velvet Freeze, remembering first time I had a McDonalds burger, getting car hop service at Steak N Shake
Going to Northland shopping center and remembering how "cool" it was when they built River Roads Mall(especially since it was AIR CONDITIONED!) , we would take the bus there or even sometimes actually walk the 2 miles and feel completely safe!!
Saturday Matinees at the Rio theater which if i remember correctly were a quarter for kids, then i think we had to pay 69 cents when we were teens and we thought THAT was expensive!!!
Walking to Agnes's confectionary at lunchtime to get our penny candy!
Remembering how all the corner taverns always had the best food and going to Shady Grove on Friday nights or after a Saturday afternoon CYC softball game in the summer.
Taking the Lee bus downtown when we were kids and not worrying about not feeling safe.
Standing in line for the 1968 Cardinal world series game when I was 13 but not even getting close enough to the stadium to get tickets. Seeing the arch being constructed a piece at a time .
School picnics at Chain of Rocks park every May, going to North Shore swimming pool in the summer or Holiday Hill to go swimming.
These are just a few of my memories, its great to read everyone else's and totally being able to relate to them. This is a great page!!

Post from N.Braun (6/6/2007)

Dave found the sight by accident GREAT KEEP IT UP
I thought I was the only one to have flashbacks. I live in Branson now but come back quite often.
Here are a few thoughts!
Stan and Lil Musial signing autographs in their convertible till all have left after the games, at Sportsman's Park. Mickleberry .20 hotdog's across from Sportsman's Park, Nichols Bar BQ in waxed paper wrappers in East St.Loui's, Rosa's Pizza on Grand four blocks from the old ballpark,Uncle Dick
Slack The jolly Irishman country music shows in his front store windows on Sat nights, Natural Bridge and Union across from the Corvette plant, Chuck Berry driving his pink Cad over Natural Bridge with air horns on the fender and blinds in the windows. On his way to the airport. Tommy Colicco dancing the night away at club Imperial and after some of the Hawks Games at Kiel.
The hot radio stations were KWK top five selling records in ST.L with Gill Newsom, WIL with Ron Lundy, Dick Clayton and Robin Scott, Ed Bonner the Tops In Pops at KXOK and Spider Burk on KXLW.
Hot fashion consisted of a Blk Dago blocked hat with white band from Levine's downtown and those ugly orange threads from Boyd"s or better yet the Boondocker work shoes with white laces that were 64" long to wrap under your boot heel, High Boy dress shirts from Tom Houllihans with a two inch high collar, or brtter yet the Mr. B shirt. We made our $ by delivering the Wellston Journal, cutting grass and carring two golf bags for eighteen hole to earn $6.00.
Our entertainment was CYC basketball on Saturday nights riding our bikes from St.Ann's in Normandy to St.Paul's gym in Pine Lawn. And Teen Town on Sunday nights. That was if we could not find a gym to sneak into.
Life was fun, no drugs, cell phones, computers, video games, school shootings or unwanted babies. How did we make it?

Post from Kathleen Neason (Heldman) (6/6/2007)

I grew up in St. Louis. My father was Ernie Heldman, and he had a television show in St. Louis for many years called the parade of magic. My mother Arlene was his assistant, and an acrobat. They performed their show on KSD TV, live in front of an audience of scouts. As pepsi was the sponsor, Dad would say "What's the magic word?" and the audience would yell "pepsi cola", and the magic would happen. I am interested in hearing from anyone who remembers the show, and would love to have some memorabilia from the show for my grandchildren. Please email me at: [email protected]

Post from Anonymous (6/6/2007)

All these memories almost makes me sick. What happened to them in reality? Bring them back.
I lived on Blaine Ave just up from 39th Street. Mom didn't drive but you had everything on 39th Street.
Kohlbergs drug store that still had a soda fountain
Radine Dept Store, most of my clothes came from there as a child
Thank god for Velvet Freeze, nickel one scoop cones, two scoops were a dime
Bought my first Beatles album at the Woolworths on 39th St. "Beatles 65"
Confectionary on McRee where dad would buy 50 one cent peanut butter cups
Had to know where the fire box was, in case of fire. If you didn't have a phone you had to run to the fire box on some street corner, break the glass and turn the key
Remember when the Post would be delivered on a street corner and the paper boy wasn't there. You just put your 5 cents ( 6 and 7 cents later) on the metal stand. No one took it.
What grocery store didn't sell LIVE christmas trees, even the SITE gas stations did. With an 8 gallon fill up you could pick a tree out for $1.00
Anyone remember the LIVE nativity scene at what was the McMahon Pontiac at Chippewa and Gravois
I remember hot summer nights and going to a water melon stand where you could be a whole, half, quarter or slice. They had picnic tables and you could eat it right there. There was one at Gravois and Arsenal
Anyone remember Cherokee caves. Always wanted to go but dad wasn't paying to see a cave
If you lived in South STL you often went to Cherokee Street to shop. If I remember correctly they were open late on Thursday nights I remember getting many a christmas gift down there from the Morris Variety Store and Globe Drugs
Anyone remember when the Veiled Prophet Parade was at night? Dad and I walked up to catch the Grand street car to get down to Olive to watch that parade at night
I remember neighborhood bakeries. Hot glazed cake donuts 5 cents each
As mentioned before Christmas in downtown. 9th floor of Famous Barr, Winter Wonderland. Anyone remember the train they had that we actually got to ride in?
How about River Roads shopping center at Christmas. Stix Baer & Fuller had a monorail that actually came out into the mall a little that kids could ride. I wanted to do that but I was already to old.
The Christmas windows would be so busy with people they would be 3 and 4 deep trying to see them
My parents got color TV in 1958, most things weren't in color then but you actually invited people over on some nights to watch color tv I think we were the only flat to have a window air conditioner, a Sears back in 1950
Found some good things in the alley. Remember helping mom drag a Kenmore wringer washer someone put out 2 doors down over the bricks that made up the alley
Mom would go down to Keightley Bros. Coal and Coke and order 2 tons of Virginia lump coal for the furnace we had. They dumped it in the alley and brought wheel barrows to get it out of the alley and dump it through a basement window into the coal bin.
Every Saturday was a trip to Soulard Market. My brother and I got stuck carrying the bags that we always complained about I can think of many more things but will shut up for now
Great reading everyones memories.

Post from Anonymous (6/12/2007)

We used to stand in front of our friends house and yell their name followed by c'mon out. My friend and next door neighbor was named Craig. I remember his name and C'mon out each having three sing song syllables. Crai....ai...aig, Cmon...ou...out. And I am from Detroit, not St Louis.

Post from S.E. (6/14/2007)

I had the best of both worlds. I lived in North City until I was in the 4th grade, then moved to Normandy. In the City, we had a rooming house. Basil's Hot Tamales would come down the street, as well as the Rags & Old Iron man in a horse-drawn wagon. And, once in awhile, someone would stop by with a pony so kids could have their picture taken sitting in the saddle. I remember my Grandmother taking me shopping on 14th Street to the Sobel's Department Store. Sobels had a pneumatic tube that took your money through the ceiling and returned the change. There was a corner confectionary at 21st and St. Louis Avenue that sold Sealtest Ice Cream for 5 cents a scoop.

In Normandy, I remember Ozenkowski's Bakery at Florissant Road and Woodstock. I remember actually riding my bicycle on Highway 70 between Bermuda and Florissant Road while it was still under construction, and "cruising" the Brown Road and Natural Bridge triangle that included Steak & Shake, White Castle, and Tote's Big Boy.

What great times!

Post from Larry (6/14/2007)

To Anonymous from Detroit: There is a difference in calling your friends. St. Louis did not add "Cmon out" and we preceded our call with Oh as in Oh John - nie

Post from Anonymous (6/16/2007)

You tell 'em, Larry (6/14/2007). ;) As in, "Ooooh Nora-aah!"

Post from Mary Ellen in Virginia (6/23/2007)

I loved finding this website. What memories! My husband and daughter laugh at my "St. Louis stories". ( As a New Yorker, my husband doesn't believe that a place like St. Louis in the 50's and 60's existed.)

I was born in De Paul Hospital in March 1946. I was one of the first baby boomers. It was a great time to be a kid.

I went to Notre Dame School in Wellston and when I was 10, we moved far, far away to Florissant.

I remember walking to Wellston. We lived on Wabada. We would dash across the street car tracks just a case a car would come. My parents had many stories about kids being run over by the cars.

St Louis was such a Catholic town. I remember having battles with the "publics" from Pierre Laclede school. I thought everyone had to be Catholic. I became an Ethical Culturist after living in Virginia for over 20 years. Only then did I learn that one of the oldest and largest Ethical Culture societies was in St. Louis.

I loved going to Sam the Watermelon Man in the summer. The melons were kept in huge tubs of water and ice. My brother and I spent quite a bit of time pushing those blocks of ice around the tubs.

Melrose Pizza was across the street from Sam's. Every Friday my family would eat there. My favorite was the jack salmon plate. Everyone else would eat the pizza and I would order the jack salmon. I still have a hard time resisting a fish fry although they are now few and far between.

Notre Dame had a beautiful church and school. Truly a "Bells of St. Mary" kind of place. There was only one room of each grade and the school was ruled by the iron will and hand of Mother Dolorine. I lived in terror of that woman.

We moved to Florissant in 1956.

I remember Halloween so vividly. Kids would fill the streets trick or treating. Mothers gave out home-made treats and kids would pass the word about which houses had the best treats.

I went to Our Lady of Fatima School. I loved walking up to church on cold winter nights for the Christmas novenas. To me that was the real sign that Christmas was coming.

I loved going to Teen Town at the church the first Monday of every month. The young priests always got roped in to sponsoring the teens. I imagine looking after so many teens drove them crazy.

Well, I think I went on a little too long, but I just scratched the surface of those memories.

I loved reading everyone's memories and I have a feeling I will return to this website quite often.

Post from Keith Weinhold (6/23/2007)

Born and raised in Berkeley near Natural Bridge and Brown Road. I remember:

The miniature railroad near that intersection (now located in Glencoe).

Holiday Hill amusement park with the Octopus, the Bullet, the Dodge 'em cars, and the House that Jack Built. Now there is a hotel on the site.

Fighter planes flying low over the houses from the airport.

The Trio restaurant on Natural Bridge and the Gem theater on St. Charles Rock Road.

The old Bi-State garage at Brown Road and the Rock Road, now a Walgreens and some strip stores.

Playing outside from early morning until after dark and no one worried about a thing.

The Christmas displays at Famous and Stix - one downtown had a train and there was even a monorail at RiverRoads mall.

(My grandfather was Santa Claus at Stix downtown for many years in the '60s. Had a German accent. You might have a picture of yourself with him!)

The Easter petting zoo at Westroads mall under the Ralston Purina checkered tent. (My grandfather helped out there, too!)

Chuck-A-Burger on the Rock Road, Delmonte supermarket and Ben Franklin's on Woodson Road.

The old administration building on the UMSL campus.

Velvet Freeze. Shopper's Fair and Luigi's on Natural Bridge.

I'm sure my sisters will come up with more. I love this website!

Post from Anonymous (6/26/2007)

Hey is There anyone who remembers a Parade that use to come down Broadway and Withers pass a Tavern call Mrs. Southes ?? and it would turn around by a Store call “Bullock” Department Store or Clothing Store and than it would go all the way back up North Broadway to O’Fallon Park and there was a man that always road a horse in that Parade and he would make the horse dance. It was called “Lowell’s Picnic” Those was some wonderful Church Picnics. I too remember going to the corner Tavern to get Papa a small alumni (with a handle on it)pail of Draft Beer as he sat an listen to the Cardinal Baseball Game….and not to mention waiting for Xmas to hear my letter read over the radio and my name called by SANTA .And watching the “Vail Prophet Parade” I always thought the “Vail Prophet” was scary but I loved watching the Ball and the Crowning of the Queen. If anyone can give me any information of the Parade please E-mail me at: [email protected]

Post from Marilyn Young - Beaumont 53 (7/2/2007)

Hi Dave:

I too, have found the Luigi's on "the rock road" and have been going there since they opened. My first experience was heaven, just as I remembered the pizza, sauce, sausage, cheese, crust and all. Every time I'm in the neighborhood, I stop by and get a pizza to go. Have to eat at least one piece in the car on the way home.

Last summer, my brother-in-law was here from Kansas City. He also went to Luigi's while living here in Walnut Park. He raved over his pizza but I noticed something not quite right with mine. I couldn't put my finger on it and when the waitress asked how things were, I told her how I felt. A few minutes later, she brought the chef out to our table. It seems that John was "playing" with the sauce recipe and he wanted to change it. I told the chef and the waitress to tell John to leave it alone, if it ain't broke, don't fix it and if he's going to advertise "The Original Luigi's Pizza" he should sell just that. The chef brought me a tiny cup of sauce and asked me to taste it and when I did, I knew immediately that was the original. He smiled and told me I was certainly right.

The last time I went in to get a go order, the sauce was again perfect but the sausage had been replaced with the spicy Italian instead of the regular. I guess I'm going to have to specify next time so I get what I ordered and it's just like the first time I went to Meglio's and the last time I went to Luigi's. By the way, we always went to the one on Nat'l. Bridge.

Now, if I could just find the pizza from Paliaggi's (spelling?) at Kingshighway and Manchester.

Thanks for the memories,

Post from Anonymous (7/2/2007)

Dave, great site. I probably would have never come across it but I am recovering from having my wisdom teeth removed and am just surfing the web.

Born in 53, raised on Pulaski St with my grandma, mom & dad, my brothers, and all of my uncles, aunts and cousins, went to St. Hedwig’s and Cleveland High on the South Side.

Some of my fondest memories were playing fuzzball and basketball in the yard on the school grounds next to the church.

Hanging out at the Sherbet Shop on the corner of Virginia and Itaska St. Marge was the owner and the Cherry Cokes and Vanilla Pepsis’ were the best.

Played football for Ray Cliff at Cleveland.

Saw the “Hammer” Hank Aaron hit a homerun at Sportsman Park, double headers and Teen Nite at the old Busch Stadium.

Riding your bike on the new sections of Hwy 55.

Wrestling at the Chase, my dad worked there sometimes and I got in free.

Getting those hot pretzels at Winklemens Drugstore for my Uncle Joe.

Hanging out, tennis, and fishing at Carondolet Park.

Pizza-A-GO-GO

Beef sandwiches at Cassonis(?). on the Hill.

Chasing the mosquito truck.

I could go on and on.

Post from Roger Regene(7/2/2007)

I just found your website via the Genealogy in St. Louis site. There is a woman who posted her memories back in 2005; is there any way to contact her? She went to the same scholl as my father. While she may not have known him, I would like to find out more about the neighborhood around St. Barbara's. (Note from Dave Lossos: If names and addresses are posted WITHIN the email sent, I will post them).

Post from Rhona and Leo Lococo (7/2/2007)

Dave ---- I enjoy your memories of St. Louis, I came across the site last night and couldn't go to sleep for all the memories running thru my head. I was wondering if anybody out there remembers Cusie's Restaurant on Jennings Rd. It opened up in1962 or 63. The Lococo's and the Cusumano's were the owners(Brothers and Sisters)they were my aunt and uncle. All the kids in the families washed dishes or cleaned tables, some of them were promoted to the kitchen and became cooks and pizza makers. It was a wonderful place to bring your date or your family(before the chain restaurants) it was a place for the kids in Jennings and Pine Lawn to meet people and quite a few marriages were the results of meeting at Cusie's.Two of the Cusumano boys moved on and opened there own restaurants, one in Glasglow Village (Cusumano' Village Inn) that served Delicious foods for 30 years and the other restaurant at Cross Keys in Florissant(Cusumano') that served great food for about 10 years. So if any of you remember Cusie's on Jennings Rd. I would love to hear from you.

Post from Anonymous (7/10/2007)

Trying to find out about the old Playboy Club at the Ramada Inn at South Lindbergh and Highway 55. Can’t find any information on it at all. I have some terrific memories…..HELP…send info. Thanks.

Post from Anonymous :o) (7/12/2007)

Hi Dave, great site.

I remember going to Deluxe Hamburger joint, having a big hamburger, fries, cherry coke and listening to Frankie Valley and the Four Seasons singing “Sherry Baby”.

I remember living around Sarah/Laclede. A music store on one corner (where I would buy 45’s and Albums), a dele on another corner (where I bought my lunch and had it put in my red plaid lunch box), on the another corner was the Cadillac dealer and on the other corner was Herby’s corner drug store with wood booths, wood floors, a soda fountain, wood phone booths in the back. I went there every day for bazooka bubblegum, Vess cream soda and to visit with Herby. He had those Kodak cardboard figures in the window.

Does anyone remember these places? As well as a restaurant on Sarah just down the street from Deluxe across from the grocery store.

Post from Greg Eichelberger (7/12/2007)

Great site.

I grew up in St. Louis from 1966 on. I now live in San Diego, but some of my fondest memories were formed during my Gateway City days. These include:

- The goofy commericials featuring Steve Mizerany, Joe Fahret, Grandpa (from Grandpa's Department Store, which would now be comparable to an AmVets), "Uncle" Leonard Muntz (who hawked Curtis-Mathis TVs), the L&M Furniture puppets, the outlandishly gay Gentry Trotter (who was once featured in TV Guide) plugging upcoming movies on KPLR Channel 11 ("Ma and Pa Kettle at the fair ... "), among many, many others.

- Jack Buck and Harry Carrey doing the play-by-play for the Cardinals and having our teacher wheel in a television to my fourth grade class to watch the 1973 World Series (also Apollo space shots).

- Radio: WIL was country' KATZ was soul; KSD, KSLQ and KXOX were pop; KADI and KSHE were rock and KMOX was the "Voice of St, Louis." Listening to the KADI Original Oldies Show, as well as Wolfman Jack and Dr. Demento on Sunday afternoons. We read the Globe-Democrat because it was an afternoon paper. I just remember reading the comics section, which features such long-forgotten strips as Hi & Lois, Smokey Stover, Gasolina Alley, There Oughta Be A Law, Half-Hitch and Boner's Ark.

- Television: KPLR had older shows and Captain 11 (with Three Stooges episodes) afterschool; KETC was public TV; KSD was NBC; KMOX was CBS, KTVI was ABC; and KDNL Channel 30 was UHF (and the closet thing we ever had to cable), it features great old shows like "The Munsters," "F-Troop" and "The Adams Family." The ABC movies of the week. "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In."

- Every Saturday night, the Three Stooges on Channel 11; every Sunday morning, "Wrestling at the Chase" (Mickey Gragiola intoning, "Five minutes remaining; five minutes left!").

- Going to Bush Stadium and paying just 50 cents for bleacher seats. Seeing Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Ted Simmons, Curt Flood, Tom Seaver, Pete Rose, etc., etc., etc.

- Cross Keys Mall in Florissant, the A&P store on Lindberg, ice skating at the the Florissant Civic Center, Banquert Park and swimming pool (and the cool Sherman tank we would play on), DeSmet Elementary School, Jamestown Mall, the IGA store on Parker and Hall Ferry, walking through the cemetary at night across from Christian Hospital on Dunn Road. The A&W Root Beer on Florissant Road (now a Ted Drewes), Grandview Plaza and much, much more.

- Childhood streets, Bluefield, Parker Road, Willowbrook, Arlington (where Dick Webber lived for years), Fox Run, Burning Tree Spring Valley, Pepper Hill, Aubachon, Paddock.

- Buying Wacky Packages at the Meyer's Confectionary, visiting the creepy old French mansion, Tanya de Noya (I know it's not spelled correctly), the Valley of Flowers parade and celebration, riding my bike for miles every day, the pinball arcades, going to McDonald's when it was a genuine treat. Collecting beer cans at the various flea markets (called "swap meets" here on the West Coast), going to see the film "Jaws" (with a line stretching around the Grandview Cinema) in 1975.

- Coming back to my father's funeral in 1999 and realizing all of the above had changed, never to return.

Post from Anonymous (7/14/2007)

Great Site, Dave.

I was born at Deaconess Hospital, and lived in a flat on Page Avenue the first three years of my life. My father, a returning veteran, along with a bunch of his friends, built a house on Cypress Road in St Ann, around 1948 and that's where I lived until I joined the Air Force in 1963. Cypress Road was a country road then, two lanes wide, made of Gravel covered with Tar. In the summer, the tar would soften, and I spend a lot of time popping tar bubbles on the sides of the road. There was really no danger from getting struck by a vehicle, you could hear a car coming long before it got to you. It was mostly farms on that road in those days, and I can remember walking down the road to a farmer's home, and helping the farmer's wife catch chicken's for dinner. Well, she caught them, I just sort of chased them around the yard a lot.

I remember St Ann, and growing up as it grew up. I spent a lot of time at the Rexall Drug store near the intersection of St Charles Rock Road and Ashby Road. The Drug store had a soda fountain, and you could get a cherry coke, in one of those paper cone cups that sat in a metal holder, for ten cents, and if you asked nicely, you might get a extra squirt of Cherry flavor. I pitched baseball trading cards with my friends against the wall outside of the Drugstore, and how I wish I still had some of those cards! There was also the Dandy Liquor Store, where I turned in empty soda bottles for change. There were the drive-in's, the Airway and the St Ann Four Screen Drive In (2 or a carload, 1 dollar!)

I went to St Ann Grade school on St Henry, and then Pattonville Junior High and Pattonville Senior High on St Charles Rock Rd, and can remember when there was nothing but a farmhouse and a huge tree in the middle of the field across the street from the High School, where Northwest Plaza now stands.

I remember standing out in front of our house at night and looking up at the necklace of light that is the Milky Way and being amazed at the beauty of it.

A previous writer wrote about Air shows at Lambert field, and I remember them, also. We lived fairly close to the airport, and there was a summer's day, back in '51 or '52, when I was playing in front of the house and heard what at first sounded like an explosion. I looked toward the airport and suddenly saw airplanes of every description flying in all directions from the airport. I distinctly remember two World War II fighter's (Hellcat's, maybe?) flying directly at me no more than fifty to a hundred feet above my head. I remember jumping up and down and waving, and I remember the two aircraft dipping their wings and seeing the pilots waving back..it was a magical moment for a kid.

I wonder what ever happened to the kids I grew up with, Bobby and Gary and Smitty and Larry and Charlie and Danny....what is it they say? That you can have no better friends than those you had when you were twelve years old. It's true.

Post from Anonymous (7/30/2007)

Just wondering if anyone knows the name of a bakery that was located in downtown St.Louis many years called Ms. Hallings, or Ms. Stallings or something along these lines.

Post from Ed Notter (7/30/2007)

I was born in ’51, Maplewood - Richmond Heights. My family has lived there for over 130 years and most of us still live in the area. It’s difficult to list all the fond memories.

· If you had to fix something you just went to Scheidt’s or Dale hardware, described what you were doing and they would hand you whatever it was you needed.

· Katz and Newberry general stores in Maplewood after school for a cherry coke or if you were really flush that week a milk shake. Newberry’s had a very very old woman working the counter, she must have been 35. How she maintained the ability to be nice to 30 kids at once is beyond me.

· Shooting pool at the Esquire pool hall unless you were really good & then you went to Saratoga.

· Tying bologna to a piece of string and “fishing” for crawdads at Oak Knoll park.

· Drag racing on Hall street until the police opened all the fire hydrants to run us off.

· White Castle car hops

· Running or riding your bike in the smoke behind the mosquito truck

· Standing in front of your friends house and yelling his name until he came out

· Dragging paper carts through the alley’s yelling Post & Globe at the top of your lungs to sell papers, you had to to be heard over the sound of those steel wheels.

· All fights resulted in 3 – 4 losses, you either won or lost the first one, then the nuns whipped you for being in a fight & sent you home, then your mom whipped you and then your dad when he got home. It had to be an incredible excuse to get you out of the last two but nothing got your out of the second.

· A parent handing you an empty pack of their cigarettes so you could go to the corner confectionary and get them the correct brand. A 12 year old walking up the street with a 6-pack of Falstaff was common, it was of course for his dad.

· Duck and cover. When that Russian atomic bomb went off in the school yard certainly the desk you were hiding under would protect you.

· Never locking our house doors, even when gone for a week long vacation.

· Macaroni & cheese or meatless spaghetti for Friday dinner, if a friend came over you just added more water to the spaghetti sauce.

Post from Danny Dorenkamp ([email protected]) (7/30/2007)

What a great site! I was trying to look up some old grade school friends and happened to end up here. I can’t believe how many things I had forgotten about my youth and growing up in North St. Louis County. I was born in 1961 and grew up on Sheldon Dr. in Riverview Gardens. I went to St Catherine of Alexandria elementary school but attended SLUH and had friends all over the city. I remember all the nuns in grade school and how strict they were. I remember Sister Gretchen in second grade cutting one of the girls bangs in front of the class because they were too long. Our old phone number was underhill 8-6818. I also remember the annual school picnic parade up to Chain-of-rocks Park. I was in the drum-and-bugle corps and had to play my snare drum all the way there. St. Catherine’s also had an annual all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, and the line would be out the door after the masses. One of the men in the parish made homemade German breakfast sausage which went really good with syrup and pancakes.

I remember ice skating on the pond in the winter down by the Mississippi River next to the water treatment plant. I remember the Portland cement plant on Riverview drive and how when the wind was blowing the wrong way it would coat your car with a fine powder. I remember fishing in the farmer’s pond over in Bellefontaine behind the old city hall building. I remember going to Tanglewood Park on Chambers Rd. during the summer for summer day-camp. I remember going to River Roads mall on Friday nights with my Dad to watch him bowl, and while he was bowling, running all over the mall. There was a store in the mall, can’t remember if it was Walgreen’s or Woolworth’s that sold frozen cokes, and my brother and I would take coins from the fountain and go get a coke. They also used to have piano recitals in the mall and I had to go to them because my brother was in them.

My parents have since moved from N. County and now live in Pacific, Mo., but I still make it home at least twice a year. I moved away in 1985 when I joined the air force. I am now retired and living in Altus, Ok. When I bring my kids back to visit their grandparents I take them up to visit the old neighborhood. Kind of reminds me of when I was their age and my parents would take me down to their old neighborhood at 17th and Cass. ...............sorry I cannot help re your grandfather's troubles (though I did have a classmate at SLUH ('60)named Egan who did grow up in St. Roch's Parish). I'm trying to learn more about restaurants along DeBaliviere, specifically a small diner, I think on the East side of the street across from K O Koverly's Mural Room in the 1950's. I remember it having a model railroad that delivered food to the patrons seated at the counter. Does this ring a bell? Any idea what its name was. My wife who grew up in the neighborhood thinks I'm nuts! She too was a classmate of Egan at St. Roch's grade school.

Post from Tim Stone (7/31/2007)

To the poster looking for the name of the downtown bakery. The name was Miss Hullings. It closed a number of years ago as I recall. I'm Living in Ft. Worth TX now and haven't been to St. Louis in a couple of years.

Post from Vernon Tampa Florida (7/31/2007)

What a great site. I have spent a couple of hours reading it and think that I lived about 90% of them myself.
I’ve been away from St. Louis for about 15 years now but have so many memories. I’ll never be able to list them all but hope this will rekindle other peoples too.
Phone number was Flanders 2241 later another 1 was added.
Pay Phones were a nickel
Planning a special Family night to go Downtown and see the Christmas Windows at the Department Stores.
The two TV stations 4 & 5 didn’t come on until the afternoon and then it was, “Time for Howdy Doody”
Channel 2 didn’t come along for awhile and that was reruns. Channel 11 took that honor away later.
Captain 11 and the Three Stooges, Cookie and the Captain and Texas Bruce in the afternoon.
Being on all three of those shows, much like every other kid in St. Louis in the 50’s and 60’s.
Watching I Love Lucy before it was in reruns
Going to Steak n Shake in the winter time and getting the tray that fit inside the car.
Going to the Parkmore on Chippewa, having the Hot Fudge Cake and then going across the street to the Trampoline Land.
Church Minster Shows.
Church Fish Fry’s every Friday
The Duncan YoYo Salesman coming into the school to sell YoYos
Grade School parades before the School Picnic.
Going to the Highland for the School picnic and begging my parents to stay until “the lights “came on.
Seeing Zorro ( Guy Williams ) and Sergeant Garcia live at the Highlands.
Seeing Clayton Moore ( the Lone Ranger ) live at the South Twin Drive In.
Riding the Trains at Ronnies and South Twin on the playground.
Going to the Drive In off Broadway and seeing the Jail and Quarry next door and my parents telling me that they would leave me if I wasn’t good.
Riding the Steam Train on Sunday afternoons up on Brown Road by the Airport. It’s been relocated out in Glenco. ( Went back a couple of years ago and couldn’t even find Brown Road.)
Kiddie Parks on Hampton Ave.
Three dollars for a doctors office visit and five for a house call. You just gave the doctor your money inside the exam room.
Waiting and then riding up the block with the Milkman and then getting a piece of ice to eat on the way back home.
Ordering from Koenig Chevrolet and then waiting six weeks for my Dad’s first new car ( 59 Chevy BelAir) to come in.
Driving for ever ( 141 in Jefferson Co) to the pools ( Capri ?) on a hot summer day.
The Admiral in the Summer time with Popeye and Wimpy working away on the game floor and cool A/C on the Dance Floor Levels.
My Grandfather complaining that they only had 3.2 Beer on Sundays
Going down to JB Park in the Summer time to watch the Admiral “turn around”
Swimming at HeadinCamps Pool in the Summer ( Park now in Sunset hills but still has a few of the pool walls way in the back)
Having Pizza for the first time on the Hill at Joe Stables on Southwest( That was the best)
Collecting Eagle, Top Value and S&H Green Stamps.
Going to Lake of the Ozarks for the Family Vacation and thinking that “Dog Patch” was one of the most fun places in the World.
Taking the “ Larry Don” Moon Light Cruise on the Lake.
Gas at the Clark Stations of $ 24.9.
Bevo Mill on Grand and Shobers Restaurant off of Lindbergh for special occasions.
Watching Steve Mizerany film his commercial inside a washing machine.
Having the scantly clad statues at Southwest High School instead of a Swimming Pool.
A Lunch in 1964 at the Loins Club with every Cardinal Baseball player signing autographs for Free.
Trick or Treating at Stan Musial House.
Putting on “Shows” in the back yard for the other kids and mothers in the neighborhood.
The line around the block for the opening of Rodan at the Granada.
A summer day at the zoo seeing Phil, Mr Moke and the sea lion show.
A summer day at Grants Farm.
Taking a date to Cerino’s ( when it was in a basement) for dessert.
The Muny in the Free Seats with the huge fans at intermission.
Seeing 2001 and It’s a Mad mad mad mad World at Trans Lux Theater.
Cursing between Steak n Shake and Chuck a Burger on Gravois.
Last but not least ( for now) not getting a job the first year Six Flags was open because I had a mustache.
Anybody from Southwest High School ’70 that wants to contact me I can be reached at [email protected].
In the immortal words of a Great American Bob Hope, Thanks for the Memories

Post from Rhona(8/2/2007)

-- I remember Miss Hulling's restaurant and bakery ------they had a wonderful split layer lemon cake and split layer chocolate cake ------ they also had a great creamed spinach dish in there cafeteria ----- thanks for reminding me ------

Post from Dave Brownell, Lilburn, Georgia(8/2/2007)

Response to Danny Dorenkamp (7-31-07)

... he isn't crazy to remember the little restaurant on DeBalivere that served meals via electric trains. I remember it, too. It was called The Goody Train.

I tend to place my dates/events depending on what I can remember about what car our family was using at the time. The only time I remember visiting The Goody Train was probably in the early to mid-1950s because I'm associating that visit with our 1953 Chevy. That car was traded in for a new 1955 Chevy Bel Air. I was with my mother and her friend and son on a visit back to the "old neighborhood" (we lived about 300 feet away in a first floor apartment at the Georgian Court Apartments on Kingsbury Avenue from 1945 to about 1950). I remember my toasted cheese sandwich arriving on a Lionel flat car. Drinks were delivered by the waitress. That may have been my only visit to the Goody Train, but I have never forgotten it. Today's sushi bar conveyors remind me of that afternoon, more than a half century later.

Post from Anonymous (8/2/2007)

Someone posted anonymously looking for information on the Playboy Club on Lindbergh. The poster said they had great memories. An old dear friend of mine is looking for information on his mother who worked as a bunny at the club cerca 1965-1970. Her name was Eunice Gardner. I wonder if the poster remembers her? Please post if you do...he has no pictures of his mother who passed years ago. I'm trying to find one of her at the club to give him.

Post from Ed Kotowski (8/2/2007)

I recalled Johnny Rabbit mentioning "The Goody Train" restaurant on the recent "Shifting Gears" tour, hosted by the History Museum. Johnny was one of the tour guides. I asked him about the restaurant and here is his reply (below). I asked if I could forward this to you, to post on your St. Louis Memories site. Here is Johnny's reply: "Yep, Goody Train is correct. It was, as you noted, on the east side of De Baliviere just north of Waterman. I might have the exact address at home. It was a single storefront place with a long oval counter. About two thirds of the counter was in the dining area. A model train on a single track brought the menu to the customers who could signal the train with a button at their place at the counter. You could fill out your order and send it along to the kitchen. The train would also bring you your check. You could pay “by train” and your change would be sent the same way. Some small items were also delivered by train. The “train” service was supplemented by a waitress. It was a short-lived enterprise, but well remembered by anyone who ate there. I don’t know who owned it and I can’t recall what they served, but I’ll see what a little research might turn up. Yours truly, Johnny Rabbitt"

Post from Anonymous (8/9/2007)

Great site Dave ..... here's a few more updates and input:
Talking the bus to Fairgrounds, Forest and Ofallon Parks to go fishing.
Skating at Ofallon Park in the winter with a blazing bonfire in the boathouse to warm up.
Sledding on Camel Back hill in Ofallon Park .... you could ride a toboggan all the way to Broadway (today you would get run over on I-70).
Junior league bowling @ Terry Moore Lanes in Pine Lawn (He was an ex cardinal player who usually there on a Saturday to talk to the kids.
Streetcar rides on Grand Avenue to the Cardinal games at ole Sportsman's Park.
Going to a live showing of the Texas Bruce show @ channel 5.
Sam the Watermellon Man's in the summer for watermelon (they were kept cold in wells, then moved to ice filled tubs).
Catching a bus at the loop to go downtown for Christmas shopping ..... oh the window displays at the downtown Famous.
Grade school parades followed by a day at the Highlands amusement park.
Our dance class performing on the Admiral during the summer season.
Walking the shopping area of Florissant Ave with my Grandpa, and the Grand Ave water towers (yes there both still there).
Playing stick ball in an open lot (broom stick handle and tennis ball) for hours.
By the way .... Gus's Pretzels can still be bought from the family bussiness.

Post from Helen H. Gratuate of 1954 (8/9/2007)

Hi Dave, I went to Rosat-Kain High School (all girls) and our senior prom was at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel at the very top. It was a very wonderful evening and a group of us went to Forest Park afterwards and sat on a park bench. We were so silly. I had kicked my shoe off while sitting on a bench and it went flying off into the lake. "How funny". We laughed so hard and afterwards we went to eat at a Steak n Shake. Those were the days. WoW!! .

Post from Anonymous (8/9/2007)

Great site Dave..lots of good memories. I'm one of the Ferguson people, in response to Anonymous, 4/6/2007.
North Hills Dairy was where you could get the Pigs Dinner. If you ate it all, you'd get a button, and wear it proudly.
JA(ckson) 1-9088 was our phone.
Playing in the creek behind the house.
Gooey Butter Cake from Ozenkowski's Bakery next door.
My Dad had the Standard Station on the corner of Florissant and Woodstock..lots of memories of pumping gas when it was raining or snowing.
Hilltop House on Florissanrt Rd. had a great hill we'd go sledding on. I think it's now a Schnuck's Store, but not sure.
Jackson Park on Wednesday nights, listening to Bob Kuban.
The old Castaway's dance place in Berkely on Airport Rd.
Going to Guadalupe grade school..dirt floors for the 1st couple of years..no A/C..
Stiver's Lincoln Mercury on Florissant Rd.

Mannino's Market.
Ferguson Department Store, where you'd get the tags for your car.
Going to the Ben Franklin to get model cars to build, when you could get glue without any trouble.
Bloemkers Drug Store, on the corner of Florissant and Paul Ave., where they had the old booths to listen to a record before you bought it.
A&W on Florissant Rd, where you's stop and get a Root Beer after swimming at Wabash.
Bommarito's Bakery on Airport, stopping there on Saturday nights after a footbal game, waiting on the hot fresh bread, smearing butter on it that you got from the National Store.
Ponticello's on Chambers Rd.....great place for Pizza.
Time for someone of the other Ferguson people to chime in......let's hear it folks....

Post from Hutch (8/14/2007)

Dave, Thanks for this great site! Another Ferguson kid here! I remember the Standard station mentioned well. I actually technically was a Normandy resident, grew up on Brand Ave. off Bermuda Rd., but used Ferguson Post Office and went to Ferguson-Florissant schools. My Mom worked at the North Hills Dairy for a time. We were friends of the Minterts. My Dad was given the old Mintert house to tear down since it was in the way of the Bermuda Rd. extension. He built a clubhouse on the river in Foley out of the lumber.
The biggest crimes I can remember were when the guy stabbed the two old owners of the Hilltop Market in Dogpatch to death, and the Hart's bread store robbery and murders. This might be common today but was shocking then.
Reames' Chicken House was the first place to get Kentucky Fried Chicken in Ferguson. If I remember correctly. Also, we weren't Catholic but frequented the Friday fish fries at the American Legion Post. I also went to a lot of the dances at the Post.
I was surrounded by all those Catholic students from Our Lady of Guadeloupe and was jealous of all the days off they got.
Saw the Ferguson police station from the wrong side more times than I care to remember! Sgt Schaeffer(sp) was the juvenile officer. We'd skip school and hang out at Milo's, and he'd come in and clean the place out.
I also recall Manino's Day and Nite market and National food store. They were pretty much the only places to buy groceries.
E. J. Korvette in Cool Valley was the first discount store we had.
The first fast food place I remember in Ferguson, besides Chuck-A-Burger of course, was called Henry's but it didn't last long. Then we got a Burger King in Cool Valley.
My Dad used to hook up a bunch of us in a line on our sleds and drag us all around on the roads in the snow behind his car. He'd probably be locked up for doing that now. Also used to do a lot of sledding on the Norwood Hills golf course. I also caddied at Norwood for a while. I think that ruined me on golf for life.
Remember when NOTHING was open on a holiday? Now, most holidays are just business as usual.
I've been gone from Missouri since '79 and rarely get back except for funerals or the occasional visit to my wife's relatives. My son and I were there for a funeral recently, and I spent about an hour just driving around showing him all my old haunts, I figured he'd be bored with it but he thought it was pretty neat.
I could sit here all night and bring up memories but I'll let it rest here.

Post from Anonymous (8/14/2007)

For Walt Bozeck.....I went to Perpetual Help and De Andreis. Graduated in 64. Yes I remember Golden Point. on Natural Bridge and Grand. I cut my teeth on onion rings there. Still the best I've had, The best pizza???? Melrose of course. I've never found anything to compare. I went to Poor Pete's on Grand once in awhile but more often went to Pete's pool hall on Florrissant and Warne. I still go to Pietukowski's from time to time

Post from Sally, Their Neighbor and Friend(8/14/2007)

The O’Leary Family at 1245 Delaware Street Near Hoadimont.: Dan, Jimmy John , Dot and Pat. Father was in Barbershop Quartet. Where are they Now?

Post from Anonymous (8/16/2007)

Wow, great stuff…some of these memories seem like they're mine, but I think I've just heard my parents and older siblings tell them so many times!..."Reeeed hooot tamales!..." I was born in '66 and lived in Walnut Park (St. Adalbert's parish) at 4939 Thrush (ph: EVERGREEN-5-1045) until we moved to Florissant when I was almost 7…yet I still have great memories of my childhood years in "the city" and now own a house on the South Side in Dutchtown, at Meramec & Iowa…guess I couldn't get it out of my blood. :-)
I remember… Pagano's grocery truck coming around, especially getting pistachios... My 4 year-old hand & arm getting pulled through the electric wringer of our washer…I'd been reaching up and putting leaves through it when it grabbed me and tried to eat me alive. Instead my mom answered my blood-curdling screams and popped the release, but not before it ripped off all my fingernails and blistered my hand!
Stix at River Roads, getting lost during Christmas when I was about 5…and my family wasn't completely frantic, no one thought I'd been kidnapped…
School picnics at Chain o' Rocks Park, especially "The Whip", "The Riding Spookhouse" (vs. "The Walking") that had a whitish-green head in a glass box, the head would turn around just as the moving car pulled up to it…TERRIFYING!...also the Double-Ferris Wheel, the boats…
The little "side altar" at St. Adalbert's…I wanted Baby Jesus's sparkly crown, I think he had a scepter, too. "How Great Thou Art" still takes me back...
Sister Laura at St. Adalbert's called me "Pun'kin"…she loved me, except when as a 1st grader I bit Ruth Ann Robin, an 8th grader who wouldn't let me go…
Our dog, "Go-Go" who was born before me, in '65, and was named Go-GO for his four white feet like Go-Go boots; he went to the dog pound at Gasconade seven times for biting.
Going to (illegal) Bingo "socials" with my mom at Holy Cross, St. Mary's, Holy Innocents…and being allowed to play Bingo, but not get paid because I was too young.
My "Crazy Wheel" for my 5th birthday…it was a round, hard, yellow "car" with two giant red wheels with handles…you could spin in circles for hours!
Rock candy
Brain sandwiches
Katz's drugstore on the Halls Ferry Circle…I knocked over a whole tower of Cracker Jacks one time.
Porter Paints
Bottles of some kind of colored liquid that you'd dip wire loops into and make into flowers etc when it dried…it's the SMELL I remember most! What
WAS that stuff?!

Stopping at Velvet Freeze on Halls Ferry as we traveled to our new house in North County…
Red tablets we chewed to see the plaque on our teeth.
Popcorn balls at Halloween
Making popcorn in a pot on the stove…still tastes the best!
The Northway Market across from Calvary Cemetery…I found $10 in a sewer grate once…I still look for money on the ground. ;-)
I now live in Dutchtown, as I mentioned, and would love to hear any stories about the Meramec/South Broadway/St. Anthony of Padua area.

Post from Leo Lococo (8/16/2007)

--Hey Dave ---- thanks so much for your site ---- I really enjoy it ----- does anyone remember AC Grill on West Florissant and North Grand ----- they had the best BLT sandwiches ----- The Tower Theatre and The Sisler Ball Park ------

Post from JohnH. (8/16/2007)

I have so many memories from growing up in st.louis.
I'll memtion a few.
Living my first 17 years in north city I remember walking home from the Fox Theater along Grand Avenue,once in awhile we would ride the street car to the water tower near the Tower Theater at west florissant and grand ave.
I remember Katz drug stores and the ambassaor theater on washington ave.
My first purchase of a sport coat at Weils clothing on wahington ave. a hat from Levines.
Getting hot loafs of bread from Wonder bread on Biddle street.
Working or Von Hoffman Press in the shipping room.

Living near Sportsmans Park and meeting Stan Musial,Red Schoendist,Wally Moon and others.
Going to the 1957 Allstar Game. Taking a brown bag lunch because I couldn't afford to buy lunch.
Johnny Londoff Chevrolet on Palm street.
My first job selling newspapers on the corner of Fair Ave and Natural Bridge by Fairgrounds Park.
Milk being delivered to the house, White Baking Company selling from the truck to the homes.
I have many more.
Thanks for the opportunity.

Post from Tom Caulley in Florida( [email protected]) (8/16/2007)

Hi Dave. I just want to tell you how much I enjoy your Memories web site. I check back frequently to ready any new entries, and have submitted my memories a couple of times. I'm writing this time in hopes that you will post this notice, which I just received via e-mail:
Pass this on to anyone that you have emails for that attended Mt Carmel, Holy Cross, Nativity, Baden, Walnut Park, etc. And ask them to do the same.
Once upon a time, in a land far away, we all lived in the city of North St. Louis. It’s time to reminisce about those days of boondockers, leather jackets, Circle Steak, Dairy Queen, the original Lombardo’s, Laboure, McBride, D’Andreis, Central, Northwest, Penrose Park, Cristo’s, the Water Tower, Club Imperial, etc.
1st Annual North St. Louis City Reunion
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Noon - ??????
Wapelhorst Park,
1875 Muegge Road, St. Charles, Missouri
St. Charles, Missouri
Pavilion #3
Wapelhorst is easily accessible from Highways 94, 70 and the Page Extension.
There is a map available on the St. Charles City Parks web-site, www.stcharlesparks.com. Click on Parks, then Park Pages, then Wapelhorst. There is a circle drive that runs through the park. After entering, follow the circle on the left until you reach Pavilion 3. Bring whatever you want to eat & drink. There are BBQ pits available. Please bring any pictures or old year books you’d like to share. Any questions, call Peggy (Healy) Doherty or Tom Healy, 636.940.2303 OR 636.922.2521, 314.578.3027 (Cell) or 314.602.1290 (Cell), [email protected] or [email protected]
Spread the word to your families & friends. We’d love a big turn-out!

Post from Pam Huss (8/21/2007)

For the memories poster wondering about the stuff you put on a straw and blew it into flowers and such, it was called Super Elastic Bubble Plastic. From the smell, it must have been loaded with toxic chemicals! Was great fun, but incredibly smelly!

Post fromJeanne Diamond Hendricks El Paso TX [email protected] (8/21/2007)

Wonderful Site Dave!
I was born in the "old" St. Anthony's. an odd choice for a Baptist mother to deliver her child but her Doctor was Jewish so I guess that explains my somewhat liberal religious view that they are all good as long as they do no harm to others.
We left for a few years when I was a toddler and returned when I was 8. I went to Elliot and then Columbia elementary left again for several years but came back and I graduated from Irving then from CHS in 61. What a wonderful time to be a kid and in the greatest city in the world.
Splashing in the fountain at Hyde Park on a hot evening
Velvet freeze ice cream
Fish Fries at Holy Name
The Tower theater on Grand
getting into the ball park free because one of my boyfriends was an usher....Anyone remember Von and Lindsay McDaniel the twins who played for the Cards in the very early 60's? As my teen age grand daughters would say "Omigod they were like sooooo coool" I knew this as the "old Busch Stadium" and lived on Palm just about a block away.....I saw the first Cardinal Football game played there......the team gave all the staff at Cardinal Glennon free passes and I was a candy striper that year. Since they traitored out to AZ I have not watched any of their games and they are close enough to drive and see from here in the boot heel of TX.
The Shrine Circus on the 4th of July.....Public school Stadium on Kingshighway and sitting on the grass to watch the fireworks....The street photographers who would take your picture and give you a ticket to order them.......
flared skirts with a ton of crinolines.......we starched them in sugar water and never ever wore just 1 I think 3 was the minimum.
Wrestling at the Chase.......Harry Carey, Kemoll's, FW Woolworth's lunch counter where I had my first real job. Steinberg ice and roller rinks Hodges Skating rink out in Pine Lawn all winter long. After graduation I skated there every night they were open and was part of the "demonstration dancers" When I began to work at the Phone company I was assigned to the Pine Lawn branch and it was right down the street from the rink....work 8-5 skate 6-10 supper at Katz drug between. I married in 62 and left until 65 when I came back while my husband was overseas. He came home and was on STL PD for a couple of years and we lived on the south side on Utah. I used to walk to Kroger on Grand with 2 little boys under 2 in the stroller get the groceries and take a taxi home because I had no way to carry it all and push a stroller too. Had my only daughter in 67 and the hospital gave us a "birth" certificate making her an Honorary Cardinal signed by Red Shoendiest and Stan Musial....She treasures that and anything to do with the Cardinals. When my husband went back in the military we moved to Germany and I have not returned to MO except on visits. I sure do miss it though.
Fireflies........won't see them here in west Texas at all.
The Zoo.........nothing can match the St. Louis Zoo anywhere in the world! I have been many of them. The one in Munich comes close but misses the mark. I remember meeting not only Mr. Vierheller (sp?) and Marlon Perkins as they walked around the grounds checking out the crowds and shaking hands or making sure the exhibits were as they should be. I remember Phil and his bottle of beer. The new Ape house is a great improvement
I took drivers ed.......(we all did!) Poor Mr. Thuet I scared about 10 years off him by lining up the car on the trolley tracks on Grand.......they were still running then! Another time I had to ask where the brake was as we roared downhill on Goodfellow near the Armory. I was a transplant from the country folks I only knew how to "drive" a horse.........oddly enough the 'simulator' came after we hit the street for some reason. Enough for now I intend to visit all the posts and hope I see someone I recognize but it is time to bring in the warsh off the line and get ready for bed.......tomorrow is a workday..........
Thanks for so many memories!

Post from Anonymous (8/21/2007)

playing soccer in front of Walnut School, St. Philip Neri , & sheeny hollow. (Now known as Dwight Davis Park ) and all the matches at Mark t?wain school yard. THe crowds that watched St. Philip Neri, esp the 1968 season .. 70 wins 3 draws & no loses.

Post from Anonymous at [email protected] (8/22/2007)

Dear Dave, a good friend of mine sent me your web-site and I wouldn't stop reading for the longest time. I was born in St. John's hospital. Our first house was on Charless not far from Gravois. I was at the age of five when my Father bought a little bungalo at 1109 Angelica St. I started grade school at Holy Name and at the time my Mother was a cook for the nuns who taught there. I can recall a few things at that time. Once I got in trouble , probably upsetting the sandbox and was sent up to Mother Sebina who said to me , "Give me your hand" as she reached down and pulled this ruler out from a drawer and it looked as big as a two by four. Needless to say she cracked my knuckles and more than once as my older sister sitting in the front row watching all of this. We had a bunch of us in the first grade that would even take on a much older kid who tried his luck with us. One day I was pushed off the cliff in the back of the school and I was bleeding pretty much and so most of my first grade buddies went after the kid that pushed me. There Bill Flemming who made sure that kid was taken care of. For years I've tried to locate this guy. He lived on Ferry street up the little hill from 20th Street. I bet there is still some of that family somewhere there in St. Louis are and I sure wish one of them would contact me. Then there was my good friend Johnny Groves who lived on 19th and Ferry Streets. He and I was walking home from school and asked, If I had a TV at my house?" I said,"NO" He said , "Come on upstairs with me and see ours. That was the first time I ever watched "The Howdy Doody Show". Here in Florida, Carabell the Clown lived just up the street from me. He was the 2nd Clarabell after Bob Kishman but he still was nice to know personally and by the way he was one of the original Little Rascals. Poor guy he just recently died. Well now getting back. I then started the second grade at Most Holy Trinity. I can remember when the Chinese Apples were selling because you could see that the nuns white starched bibs were stained from the kids pinching the seeds and they flew onto the bibs. They were soon outlawed. I can remember they had a trough all around the white water tower on grand. It was used as a drinking fountain years ago for horses. I'm sure a lot don't remember that it was thereat one time before someone had it taken down to get more room for traffic. I often wondered what happened to a kid that lived in the 4000 block of 11th street.We made our First Holy Communion at Holy Name All I can remember is they called him Buddy. My most memorable years was growing up with my best friend Vic (Sonny) Klimkiewicz who lived on Salisbury across from Hyde Park. My telephone number was Central 1 0453 , I think and Vic's num,ber was Chesnut 1-6287.My youngest brother Bob was saved from drowning in the man made lake in Hyde Park by a great kid by the name of Jimmy Stretch, God Bless his soul. Dave I can never think of athing to say when I'm writing but I was delighted with the web-site and thanks for the memories. Please if anyone want to write me e-mail me at [email protected]. Dave please let me know you got this and thanks.

Post from Al Akerson (8/24/2007)

Earlier tonight my wife and I were out driving my midlife crisis (Audi convertible) all over south and southwest county and Jeff County. We got to talking about the old-time public swimming pools and picnic grounds around here, which led to the question: Where was the Spring Forest pool? Is it still open? Did it have some sort of second pool fed by a mineral spring?
I googled the name, but the only reference I could find was on this web site, and that was just a mention without elaboration.
Thanks to anyone who could fill us in.
(Comments from Dave Lossos: My 1974 St. Louis Telephone Directory has a listing for "Spring Forest Park" on Old Lemay Ferry Road in Imperial, Missouri. Don't think it's there anymore. Springdale on 141 is still there. How about the Riviera? Do you remember the one in House Springs that was supposed to be the "Largest in the World"?)

Post from Neal(8/24/2007)

In reference to Marion Hospital, I fell and broke my arm, when I was about 5 years old, and that's where I was treated. I grew up just down the street on Demenil Pl. Demenil used to be the last block of South Thirteenth. The park you referred to was Lemp Park. I-55 cut it in half, corner to corner. Used to have an indoor swimming pool, which was in a building that housed a community center that had a basketball court, stage for plays and during the summer had all kinds of crafts and activities for kids out of school. Also had an outdoor wading pool.

Post from Paul(8/31/2007)

Dave I emailed a Kathy Chase who made an entry on 1/24/06 because I am sure we know a lot of the same people but it was never able to make it to her for one reason or another. Her e-mail read [email protected] and just wondered if you post this and she notices it. She may realize it's an old email address.

Post from Anonymous (9/5/2007)

Thank you for the memories Dave. I am from maybe a newer generation that found your website while searching for a St. Louis park for my family to congregate this Memorial weekend.

Got busy reading your site and have still not gone to the parks site.

I was born in 1963 and have lived in St. Louis all my life. I remember some of the same memories that my previous generations remember and maybe some that will be new to your site. Maybe some of my memories will let others know what has become of some of their memory sites and some memories that are soon to be made such as Chuck A Burger on St. Charles Rock Road closing at the end of this year. The current owner opened a new Chuck A Burger in St. Charles and is closing the St. John location.

I hope others from my generation will send in some of their memories as I am sure I have many more that at the moment can not recall.

I grew up in the Overland area and went to New Overland Elementary school. The site is now the Overland Branch post office. I remember walking to New Overland School, (yes, no matter what the weather even in my day) and stopping at the Velvet Freeze first on the way home where they had a penny Bazooka Bubble Gum machine that when you put a penny in, you could turn it back and forth over and over an get many pieces of Bazooka for that one penny. Your friends were the lookout so the lady working wouldn't get suspicious.

I remember the older man that just never seemed quite right to us kids that would sell the newspaper at a stand on the wedge of Midland and Woodson and ask all the people walking by..."Do you have toes? I have toes. Do you have toes?"

I too remember the Airway Drive In which is now the site of a huge Shop N Save.

I remember:

Super Jams--Many bands would come to the old Busch Stadium and it would be an all-day concert. I remember seeing Ted Nugent, Styx, SuperTramp and seems like the rest is a little fuzzy.

905 Liquor stores---my dad used to drink 905 and yes, back then, us kids could carry the beer up to the counter and carry it out the door.

Shoppers Fair on St. Charles Rk. Rd which later became a Skating Rink and then a Schnucks grocery store which is now sitting empty. Used to have a circus tent set up in the parking lot that we would go to when it came to town.

Living next door to Our Redeemer Lutheran School and waking up one morning to tee-pees set up in the front of the school. The visiting Indians hung a transistor radio on the flag pole and when they packed up, they forgot to take their radio. I think my sister got that.

Lighting matches behind the garage at that house with a kid my mom babysat and the neighbor calling my mom and telling on us. OUCH!!! I REMEMBER WHIPPINGS!!!

Eating lunch after shopping with my sisters, cousins and friends at Northwest Plaza at the Woolworths restaurant.

Giant G grocery store on Woodson Road. My mom new everyone that worked there. My sister and I would have to walk to Giant G, bring the cart home with the groceries and then load the cart with laundry and walk back to the laundromat. Mom didn't drive and always had a house full of babysitting kids.

Styx Baer and Fuller before it became Dillards at Northwest Plaza.

Hop Sing from the television show Bonanza came to the National Store on Midland an signed autographs. National was our second stop after Velvet Freeze on the way home from school.

Overland Dairy at RK. Rd and McKibbon attached to a Glasier Drugstore I think...???...and one on Woodson Road.

Dog N Suds on Woodson Road

Blondie...everyones favorite school bus driver

Fireworks on July 4th and Football Games at Ritenour High School

Walking the shops with my Mom on Woodson Road. Remember a shop called Anns. Overland Hardware, the Eat-Rite diner are both still there from long ago, but the bakery we stopped at every morning on the way to school and the record store where we would buy our 45s have been long gone.

The Gym theater on St. Charles Rk Rd.

Hodges Roller Rink

Steak and Shake on Woodson Road---now a liquor store

Gas Stations that actually had people to pump your gas, check your oil and wash your windshields

Oh yeah...I also remember party lines on the telephone. We had a HARRISON phone number and you could just click the receiver up and down a few times and connect to anyone that was on the party line. We did this mostly while listening to Wolfman Jack on the radio.

Post from Michael McCullough from Roanoke Virginia Age 50 (9/5/2007)

I Grew up in St. louis and can't believe the memories i'm reading!!!, It sounds like my memories

I remember walking down Grand ave to a small store on Dodier ave with a note, to buy a pack of cigarettes for my mom and some food for dinner.

In 1959 I remember moving to Woodson Hill's next to the airport and going to St. Williams school

I remember Calling out to my friend across the street ohhhhhhhhhhhh-johnny until he came out ..it is a St. Louis thing.

I remember going to my grandmothers in Jenning's , she lived on the corner of Hodimont and Jenning's Sta rd. And walking up and down the alleys.

I remember playing pick up soccer games and baseball games with my pals year round.

I remember skipping school to watch the Cardinal's beat the Almighty New York Yankee's in the World Series in 1964.

I remember crying when they tore down Sportsman Park and the Cardinals moved to Busch

I remember Sunday afternoons at the Gem theatre on St. Charles Rock Road watching a double feature .25.

I remember Luigi's Italian restaurant and how good that place smelled.

I remember watching Captain 11 and Cookie and the Captain show in the afternoons

I fondly remember my friends Frankie Cusamano, Michael Sandulo, Frank Ramano, Frankie Carmi, Al Herrman, Craig Wojohoiski,Tim Horne,Joey Buffaro, Mike Wagner,Johnny,Danny,And Tommy Bauer all are brothers. Danny Brewer, Johnny Heidger. Gary Gruenloh, Gary Polite, Mike and Louie Viviano, and sister Rosemary.and Vicki Gagliano.

I remember hot Saturday nights when mom and dad loaded up the car and going to the Airway or 4 screen Drive- in on St. Charles Rock Rd. and getting lost in that place..it was soooo big, and the fun we had before the show started riding the rides.

I remember in the early 60' the tornado warning's , we would get and it would usually just be a picture on the tv warning you.

I remember hot summer night playing hide and seek or kick the can with all the neighborhood kids

I remember going my Aunts and Grandmothers store, getting penny candy..pretzels 2 for a penny and a huge kosher dill pickle for 5cents..And collecting soda bottles for a 2cent deposit.

I remember I had the meanest first grade teacher..ever!.. Sister Christa at St. Williams Catholic school ..She had to be at least 80 years old and love to use the ruler!!!!! 1960

I remember have to cut through yards and sneak to school because some of the mean public school kids would take my lunch.

I remember pouring Vess red creme soda over vanilla ice cream..my dad's favorite

I remember going to Granpa Frank's and watching him go thru a case of long neck bottle Bud's, watching the Cardinals playing on Channel 5.

I remember listening to Harry Carry and Jack Buck calling Cardinal game on KMOX with a transistor radio under my pillow

Post from Anonymous (9/5/2007)

Thank you, Thank You…….

Thank you so much for you site. It was such a surprise to find it and, at this point, I am not even sure how I did.

I grew up in Walnut Park and Tom Caulley shares every memory that I have. And, he even made me remember some that I had long forgotten. I just can’t, for the life of me, remember Tom Caulley. Tom Begley was a good friend of mine and we went to Nativity of Our Lord together for eight years. I remember the Healy family and it would be cool to go to the reunion but I will be out of town for the first two weeks in October.

I remember The Rio Theater and John Styger and Sons Funeral Home. I remember all the confectionaries and taverns, Hartmann’s Drugstore and the bakery and the diner. I remember the clothing and shoe stores had yellow paper in the windows to keep the stuff from fading. There was a dime store and a Schwinn bicycle shop, a laundry mat and a St. Louis Public Library. All of these were on West Florrisant. They built a “new” Clark’s filling station (that’s what we called them back then) where the old streetcar stop was at West Florissant and Robin Avenues.

I remember as a little bitty girl going swimming in the wash tubs from the wringer washer in the basement. My dad would pull them outside and fill them up for a swim.

I remember that you could go to the corner store and get a sandwich made from the cold cuts in the display case. I remember all that fun penny candy and the soda machines that you had to work the bottle through like a maze.

I remember all the wonderful people who sold their wares of their trucks. I fondly remember the hot tamale man and the straaaaaaaw berries man and those cute paper boys who drug those wagons and started fires in big trash cans to keep warm.

I remember my dad running water on the house to cool it down. I remember there were always people on the front porches talking back and forth to each other.

I remember that they used to come around and clean out the sewers and the boys would always run over and beg for the disgusting ball that the cleaners pulled out. Stinky balls that they would use to play ball in the streets.

I remember buying produce, especially pomegranates, from Lombardo’s Produce and the grandmother who didn’t speak a word of English when she was yelling at us.

I remember walking from Walnut Park to River Roads and to Northland Shopping Center, the Teen Nights where Bob Kuban played.

I remember riding in a continuous circle from Circle Steak N Shake to Jennings Steak N Shake to Big Boys past Northland Shopping Center.

I remember how great the burgers smelled from McDonald’s out by North Drive-In when we were allowed to get a special treat. Speaking of Drive-Ins, I remember I was forbidden to go to any and that guys would hide in the trunk to get in, the heaters never worked and the food was terrible.

I think my brain hurts and I will have to come back at another time to remember more.

THANKS DAVE!

Post from Dan O'Leary [email protected] (9/12/2007)

Eliot School, Central High School Class of '64

Our home was a 4311 Blair Ave. down the hill from the Bissell (red) water tower.

First telephone number was Garfield 4837, when they added the 1 some people were upset, too many numbers to dial.

It seemed to be a utopian area when I was small. We had markets, Franks at 19th and Ferry St., Onions Market at Randall and Ferry, Hassle's at Blair and Ferry Street. We had a tavern on the corner, Finns Inn, where I eventually had my first legal drink. Finns Inn was there when I was born. We had Windsor Park (Ann Brady's lot), all within two blocks of my house. That was my little world until I was about ten. The world got bigger fast. I passed a test and was enrolled in "gifted classes" went to Ashland School, then on to Beaumont for a year and half combined. All my friends were outside playing and having a good time. I was inside doing home work. Rebellion, I was back in Eliot. That allowed me to hang around Eisenharts Moving and Storage. They also ran a small carnival. It was really a great place to have in the city. They had ponies that needed to be exercised and ridden. They had donkeys, lamas, a stage coach, train etc... When you were old enough you could work the carnival for school and church picnics, pick up a little cash.

On to other things;

How disillusioned I was about my world when I found out that there was a Ladue.

Do you remember the dirigible that would fly over the neighborhood and drop balloons with coupons inside, redeemable for fabulous prizes?

At one time, there were nine bars around the Grand Ave. water tower.

That was a fact printed in the Sunday Post Dispatch. Remember the Our Own Oddities section. Another item in that section: A friend had a birthday during the hot summer months. His mother cut a watermelon in half long ways, put some candles in it. No sense in lighting the oven, no air conditioning. I thought she was a genius.

Poor Pete's Pool Hall, still attend a yearly gathering. It is usually on the same day as the Polish Festival at the Falcons on St. Louis Ave. Makes for quit a day attending both of those functions. Pete had some great sayings, one of my favorites. "Son if your brain was the size of a nat's it would split your head wide open". He once told a gentleman who thought he lost his wallet in the pool Hall, "Sir if your wallet had fallen out of your pocket in here (pointing to all of us) it never hit the floor".

Herman's shoe Shine Parlor and that 26 hole pinball machine.

Teen town at the Northside "Y" And Perpetual Help Church

Turner Hall, Golden Ivy Hall, and the DAV Hall on Grand and Kossuth

Pearlmuters, Ideal and Watson Furniture, Tower Show, Northside and the Lindell, waiting out in the street in the safety zone for a street car, you couldn't do that today.

Finding out that the people who robbed Palomino's Bar and Restaurant lived across the street from me.

Going to the dump on Hall Street to kill rats, using a cork ball bat.

The flood that occurred due to a broken water main on 20th street.

The North Drive-in, row nine.

Saturday afternoon football games at Public School Stadium.

Oleg Cassini jerseys from Wolfs, Downs or Joe's Cloths, alligator, or lizard skin shoes . How in the world did we get those?

Writing a tongue in cheek letter to the editor, of the Globe and Post about how the game of bottle caps was being ruined because they were removing the corks, and having it published. Then having Chris Condon from Channel Five call and want to do an interview and film a game. We got about three minuets on the Six O'clock News.

Fort Leonard Wood basic training in July and August.

Having a sergeant say to three of us, "Half of you three menses come with me."

I new I should have joined the Air force.

Being called into the Orderly Room and being confronted by my company commander with a some what graphic letter that I had sent to my girlfriend. Her parents had found it and sent it on to him. The Lt. told me not to send anymore letters to her. When I got home, I had someone call my girl friend and tell her the new name I would be using. Her parents had never met me in person just over the phone conversations. They hated Dan O'Leary (me), but they loved the new guy (also me). The things we do for love.

Neighborhood bars: Finn's Inn, Flare's, Gatewood's later Bernadine's, Bob Boger's Spare Time, Art's and the ever famous Double ??. The Gano Club, Centerfield Lounge (later the Zonk), Blue Circle, Moore's and Olsen's.

Post from Juanita (9/12/2007)

I grew up in North St Louis in the 40's & 50's on Grove st. across from Elliot. I love your web site. Just wanted to know if you have all these memories put into a book form. Would love to buy it.

I looked this up because a old friend and I were talking about "Sam the watermelon man" and were trying to remember his real name?

Hope you keep this going cause there great memories,

Post from Anonymous (9/23/2007)

St. Louie Blues, best darn song ever written. Growing up in the 30's and 40's recall very fond memories: playing baseball on the parkway on Bircher Blvd ( understand it is now a Highway ), attending St.L. Brown's and Cardinal baseball games with the free Knothole Gang cards issued to school children. Remember the Browns almost defeating the Cardinals in the World Series in '44 with many of the top players off to WWII. Attended McBride High, with classes in morning or afternoon because of the crowded conditions, graduating from DeAndreis when it opened. Have no idea if either school exists anymore.

Working at International Shoe Co. or Brown Shoe Co. during summers while in high school, Art Hill favorite spot for sledding in the winter, vendors hawking "Hot Tamales" in the streets where you lived. Real ice being delivered to homes for 'ice boxes' before refrigerators came about. The milkman, insurance man, grocery man all selling their goods by banging on your door.

Lambert Air Field, when very few people ever flew, Union Station with trains coming and leaving from all over the country, and the Admiral boat, what a fun evening cruising up and down the Mississippi with friends. Hugh concrete malts for .25, root beer and fresh roasted peanuts for .05 each, street cars abounding, and of course, double decker buses to carry school children to annual picnics.

Permanently left St.Louis in '51, came back in '53 to be married, left immediately and presently reside in the San Juan Islands

This is fantastic!
I remember growing up going to the I-44, Ronnies, 66 & Manchester drive-ins.
Every friday night during the summer months, my father would come home with a weeks worth of groceries & complain that it cost all of $25.00.
After we unloaded the car of many grocery bags, put it all away, we would all pile up in the 1959 chevy station wagon and head off to the drive-in
My 3 siblings and I have always cherished these types of memories.
My Grandmother lived on Sidney st in the south side. Whenever we would visit, we (us four kids) would make it a point to walk down to the corner market to buy a stick of licorice. A 3 foot string for a penny. From there we could see & smell the Anheiser brewery. My dad always told us stories of playing bottle caps during the depression. They couldn't afford bats & balls, so they played with bottle caps & a broom stick. They played this game in the streets.

Post from Ted Dorenkamp - Houston.Tx.(9/23/2007)

I keep going back to your site to see who else has posted a comment. We just came back from St. Louis Labor Day. We drove all thru old North St Louis and went to Crown's on St.Louis Ave. and 14th. Took a good look at where we onced lived at 1811 Benton and saw a brand new house built on what I guess was tro or three of the old lots when we lived there. Some of the houses are still standing on Warren and some of the other streets. We hope to visit again and will check out the area again.

When I read thru the postings this morning I noticed one from My nephew who is now retired from the air force and l;iving in Ok. I will call my brother in St Peters and tell him I saw it.

Thanks for the site and I will check it out again later.

Post from Carol (9/27/2007)

I couldn't believe all the "memories" shared on your site. I too was born, raised, grew up in South St Louis, Mo. We were so poor and Daddy and Momma finally saved enough money to buy a two story house on Compton Ave. Mostly family rented the downstairs. Attended Shenandoah Elementary, O'fallon Tech, then back to Roosevelt High. Walking the dog at night with a girlfriend, summer activities at the school (free), walking to Cherokee St, Grand Ave, and Gravois shopping with my mom. Talking the wagon down the alley and getting Dad a case of beer from the corner tavern. Buying fifteen cents worth of cheese and bologna for my mom at the corner confectionary. Walking every Saturday morning to Chase bakery for fresh poppyseed bread, a stollen, and glaze donuts. Waiting impatiently for the hot tamale man and newspaper on Saturday nights. Walking to Highland Park or the zoo on lazy summer days. We only road the buses in the cold winter. Shoveling coal from the coal bin to the basement and loading the hopper. Taking out the clinkers and oh, yes ! hiding in the coal bin when mom or dad was on the war path. Scouring the neighborhood for Novel Wash bleach bottles, wonder bread wrappers, soda bottles and anything that had a "deposit" associated with it. On Sunday taking a colonial bread wrapper to the Princess Theater for free admission. My grandparents lived on Palm St. Not far was the Spring training field for the St Louis Brown's. They later became the Baltimore Oriels. My grandfather would take us and we would play in the bleachers while he watched the practice. Going to the St Louis Hop, at least once a month and being on live TV. Watching the Vail Prophet Parade, and festivities. Oh-ing and Ah-ing the beautiful gowns and wonder of it all. Lunch at high school was two tokens. Tokens were fifteen cents each. Lunch was wonderful, any day. You could give up a study hall and work in the cafeteria for your lunch, thus saving the thirty cents. This was a huge amount of money to save and all in one day. Going to the local beauty school and having my hair cut, washed, set and combed for fifty cents. A perm was two dollars. Comic book trading was the norm. We would have hundreds to trade with neighbors. Trips to the "Diamonds" over in IL on Saturday for popcorn and soda. Taking a drive on Sunday afternoon, no air, windows open and just cruising. Soulard Market shopping was a awesome experience. Seeing vegetables that we never saw before. Never locking doors, sleeping with all windows open. Weekly field trips at Shenandoah Elementary to all the wonderful sites in St Louis. Shaw's Garden, the Jewel Box, Diego Hill to sled ride in the winter, the Arena Roller Rink. The list is endless, and the memories engraved forever in my mind and heart. We never knew we were poor because of all the things we did "free". The culture we were exposed to "free". The environment we lived in "safe and free from harm". What a wonder time it was to live in South St Louis, MO. I loved reading everyone else's memories and thought I add a few of my own.

Post from Anonymous (9/27/2007)

I would like to invite anyone who remembers Mike Burke, the policeman at Busch Stadium who also sang in the St. Louis Police Barbershop Quartet and performed at the old police circuses, sang the national anthem every year at the last home game and was very involved with the moolah shriners to email me. I am his daughter and would love to collect any pictures or memories of him. As I have tons of them growing up at Busch Stadum with my dad and his beautiful tenor voice and twinkle in his irish eyes

Post from Anonymous (9/27/2007)

I remember party lines and the other lady was always on the phone. I remember, like everyone else, that our phone number was Evergreen 2-0956.

I remember that all our groceries were on a tab. My mother would just send me to the grocery store with a list and we would put it on the tab. She would send me to the drug store to buy cigarettes and my dad would send me to fill up his bucket of beer “and don’t spill it”.

I never saw a school bus until I was married and moved to the county. Everyone walked to school. We walked to grade school and high school.

Does anyone remember the secret “talk line” that you could call and everyone would talk at the same time and jump on and off? It was supposed to be used by SWB to repair lines but the kids used it to meet people and talk on. It was the prototype of today’s chat rooms. You would call this number and say “who’s on” and everyone would say their name.

Remember joining the Summer Reading Club at the library.

I took dancing lessons and at the end of the year, the recital was on The Admiral.

We lived right by Calvary Cemetery and Bellefontaine Cemetery. Legend had it that there was a ghost that traveled between the two cemeteries and if you drove down the road between them, you could see her. We were always so respectful of the graves when we went over there to inspect the tombstones. I loved the ones with pictures. There is a grave that has a baby and a crib and a baby and a stroller. The mother used to take out real toys and leave them in the monuments on a regular basis until she died. The nuns and priests were buried in very straight lines and had small crosses on the graves.

The kids around here haven’t gone a full day of school because it has been too hot these past weeks. We went to school with full uniforms that weighed about 100 lbs. and beanies on our head. The nuns didn’t let us out early because they had those big, black habits that weighed 300 lbs. No mercy calls for us. They probably thought we should offer up the suffering. (I am sure we did).

Remember Eagle Stamps and S&H Stamps? Do you remember getting free dishes at the grocery store and some came inside soap boxes??

Oh….Does anyone remember the Walnut Park Athletic Club with the blackened windows? My mother told me that was where the hoodlums were and that I had to cross the street and not walk in front of it. Anyone else remember that? I think it was right by Walnut Park Grade School.

I remember walking down the street doing the hula hoop. And, I remember in high school making long, long chains out of gum wrappers. Why? I also remember putting yarn around my boyfriends ring and wearing it so that it would fit me. We always changed the yarns to different colors to match our outfits.

I remember that they stopped traffic on West Florissant and Riverview so that the school parade could walk in the streets.

I remember we only had three black and white television stations and my parents used their children for remote controls.

I remember the year we got the aluminum Christmas tree with the changing light wheel. We went to Mass on Christmas Eve and had to get there really early to get a seat.

Post from Chuck! (10/4/2007)

Hi Dave, I have a post for Anonymous 9/14/06:
I wish you would have posted your e-mail address when you mentioned that you would like to converse with me. If your Brothers name was Alan you surely must be Mike?
I to would like to hear from you. [email protected]
Thank you so much Dave, it has been awhile since I visited this site and it always amazes me how much it grows each time I come here.
Just reviving an old topic here: Apparently, Mayrose meat is still around and owned by Armour/Eckrich

Post from Anonymous (10/6/2007)

? I'm the meat man and the meat man knows, the finest meats made are Mayrose ? (I believe it was actually "the finest meats Ma'am are Mayrose.")
Mayrose, a tradition throughout the Midwest since 1930, was started in St. Louis by a local butcher named Marty Mayrose. In his straw boater hat, black tie and white apron, Marty Mayrose is an absolute icon of old world deli. His image represents the friendly neighborhood butcher who knows every customer by name and serves only the finest meat products available. Today, Mayrose continues the tradition of old world quality with products such as Meat, Beef and Garlic Bologna, Hard Salami, Head Cheese, Braunschweiger and a variety of traditional lunch meat loaves, including Olive Loaf, P&P Loaf and Jalapeno Loaf. If you looking for an authentic taste like no other, stop by your local deli and try a delicious Mayrose product today.
Thanks for the site Dave!

Post from Carol Osterhagen(Burke) (10/7/2007)

Found you on the a website today and I have a special request, looking for memories of my father Micheal J. Burke, a St. Louis Policeman, who sang in the old police barbershop quartet in the 50's, directed traffic in front of sportsman park and bush stadium. Sang the national anthem every year at the last home game, he also sang at many masses in st. louis, was very involved in the moolah shriner circuses and the old police circuses at the arena. Many people knew Dad and loved him. I'm trying to collect memories and pictures just for myself. He died in 1980 and miss him more every year. He was good friends with Joe Cunningham,Red Schoendist, and Stan Musial, I myself in the 70's ran around Bush Stadium and have many happy memories.I am especially looking for any recordings of Dad singing alone or with the Police Quartet. I now live in california and would love to receive emails from anyone who could help or have advice how to look for what I want.

Post from MAK (10/7/2007)

I was born in St. Louis in 1939 and lived in Ferguson until 1958.
I moved to Arkansas because my father was older than most fathers and needed care so my mother moved to Arkansas to be near her relatives and I went to college in Conway, Arkansas and I have been in Albuquerque, New Mexico for 45 years.
I get very homesick for St. Louis and the simpler times.
My address was 146 North Clay Ferguson Missouri.
I attended Central Elementary and walked every day to and from school about ten blocks each way. Then i went to Voght Jr. High, then on to Ferguson High @ 701 January Avenue.
I remember the bridge on Florissant Ave because that was under the tracks where the Wabash train ran. Also there was an elderly man and his wife under the bridge selling daily papers; he had no legs and moved around on a board with wheels that he pushed with bricks in his hands. I liked to visit with him. Guess he was a WWII veteran.
On Florissant there was a King's Drug Store and then a Department Store. Mr. Ed Lambert was the owner.
On Saturdays, I walked down Darst Street past the Moline Creek and it smelled bad. Once I passed the creek there was a small corner store where I returned Coke bottles for some change to get more and counted my mills to buy candy. The lady would always say "How many pennies worth?" and I didn't know what she meant. But I quickly learned.
I went to the Savoy Theater to see movies. When I was 12, I paid 10 cents, I think.
I remember the milk man with cream at the top of the bottle. Valley Gold was the name of the dairy, I believe. And a vegetable truck came once or twice a week down our street.
I remember the coal man dropping coal down our basement window. We killed bugs with DDT in an odd shaped spray can. And the garbage man came to the side of the garage to empty our garbage cans
I loved the Zoo, Phil, the Gorilla, the lion shows, etc.
I loved the Admiral and am sorry it no longer runs.
I JUST LOVE ST. LOUIS AND HOPE TO VISIT SOON. THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES; I AM 68 NOW AND HOPE TO VISIT SOON.

Another unsigned post (10/12/2007)

thanks for posting my request for memories of my dad, my email is [email protected]. I have fond memories of the three stooges at the arena and several of the acrobatic acts coming home to glasgow village with my dad, after the police circuses. Sitting in the stadium club with my dad, stan musial, and others listening to the stories.Running around parking lots while my dad and others sang songs and drank till the early hours. Bush Stadium was a second home, dad did traffic when the beetles performed there, his friend robert casey got bit in the behind by a teenager trying to get through the police line. Many trips to Sam the watermelon man, and sitting in the press box during moolah shrine circuses and all the food and drinks being free. We kids ate till we got sick.

How proud I was when dad in his dress blues would walk out on the field and sing the national anthem. No one beats his irish tenor voice to this day,I just wish I had a recording of it.

For years after he died even though I could get free tickets, I couldnt bring myself to go to a game, I tried once and cried all the way through. The 30 something years dad worked there I remember one thing he taught us, always be loyal to your home team, win or lose. When he died in 1980 they hadnt won in a long time, but I felt his spirit in 82 after the world series win, I could almost hear the drinking and partying that must of went on in heaven with the Burke family.

Now, that I'm in California, memories are just that much sweeter

Another unsigned post (10/12/2007)

Thanks for the words to the Mayrose Meat song! It sure brought back memories. I was born and raised in St. Louis, but moved to Michigan in 1971 as a young bride. I must have gone to a dozen different supermarkets looking for Mayrose Meats before my new hubby finally told me that Mayrose is a St. Louis "Thing." I was to miss so many St. Louis "things"….Mayrose Meats, Vess Cream Soda, White Castles, Toasted Ravioli, Imo's Pizza, Ted Drewes, KXOK & Johnny Rabbit, Drag Racing at Hall St., Renting bicycles built for two from a gas station on Grand Ave., Roller skating at Tower Grove Baptist Church, going to dances at Hole in the Wall and The Place, Walking Tower Grove Park, testing TV tubes at Rexall Drug, The Arena, Chain of Rocks, The Arch and watching it built, Cookie and the Captain, St. Louis Hop and so much more. St. Louis was the greatest City to grow up. My memories of growing up there through the 60's remain the sweetest I'll ever have.

Post from MR. Bob Shrader (10/23/2007)

Reading about St.Louis memories. My thoughts go back to Adams grade school on Tower grove Ave. I remember the double Decker buses that would take us kids out to the Forest Park Highlands for our school picnic. And some times we would march out there. I remember later on in life I was a lifeguard at the Highlands pool just a young man of about 18 years old. When I was 11 years old I believe ,I shook Babe Ruth's hand at the Walsh Stadium just east of the Forest Park Highlands when he was a guest speaker there to introduce the 1949 or 1948 ford Automobiles. He the Babe looked very tired and spoke with a gravel voice I guess because of his illness. My friends and I would play and fish during our summer vacations in Forest Park, I also caddied in the tree golf courses there. I remember the big theaters on Grand Ave. The Fox, The Missouri, The St. Louis and I believe the Shubert.I graduated from the Adams School IN 1950 and then went on to Roosevelt High. Yes I have many wonderful memories of St. Louis. I hope this email brings back the same memories to those that might read this. Thank You .

Another unsigned post (10/26/2007)

This brings back so many memories from my childhood, most of which I have forgotten until reading the many responses.

I remember my phone number was Fladerers3575
I had to laugh at this one, I was one of those kids that would stand outside my friends house every Saturday morning and yell "Oh Danny, Oh Danny until I woke someone up.
I remember laying in bed with my transistor radio listening to Cardinal games until I sleeping clutching my ball glove.
I remember playing catch with my dad.
I remember my dad taking us to the watermelon stand on a hot summer night and we would get to pick out our own slice.
I remember collecting bottle caps and buying penny candy at 'AL's' the corner confectionery (on the corner of Meramec and California)
I remember as a paperboy, pulling my paper cart over the cobblestone streets of South St Louis, yelling "Get your paper, Get your paper - here!"
I remember playing all the games like Red Light Green Light, Colored Eggs, Hide -n-seek, Jail break, and Freeze tag. (that was so much fun) of course all activates were off when MOM yelled it 's time to come in.
I remember no matter what you were doing you could hear the Mr. SOFTEE truck coming and I would head for the house yelling Mom can I have a ice cream!!! I think my parents got a kick out of it more than we did.
I remember climbing up on the garage roof just to say we did.
I remember playing in the old 'ASH PITS' on the side of the garage.
I remember making a club house out of the garage complete with passwords and an oath.
I remember watching the Fog truck driving down the street spraying for mosquitoes leaving a trail of stinky white smoke.
I remember hearing the Ding, Dong, Ding followed by the sound of the metal wheels of his cart being pulled over the cobble stones. ANY southsider new that sound, and it was the knife sharpening man coming. (Wow! I can't believe, it's like I can still hear him coming)
I remember the BUM everyone in on the south side called 'Joe The Bucket Man'
I remember walking a half a block to school and going home for lunch.
I remember it being a big deal, every August my mom would take us to Cherokee St to buy school cloths, and a new pair of shoes.
I remember when my parents said no, they meant No!

Post from Kenny Moeckel 47 Years old South Side hoosier and proud of it!!! (10/26/2007)

The early 60's in North St. Louis:
I remember riding the 'Mad Mouse' Roller Coaster at Chain of Rocks Amusement Park, Home of the Spook House ride that jerked you around like crazy.
How about the neighborhood ritual of every Winter pouring hot water on the concrete walkway in St. Louis Park on 21st Street, waiting patiently for it to freeze solid and sliding all the way down. It took years for me to make it all the way down standing up. The broken bones and chipped teeth didn't change a thing year after year after year.
Speaking of St. Louis Park…. how about clogging up the drain on the sprinkler in the middle of the park and creating our own home made city swimming pool.
Walking along the slanted concrete ledge at Zion Lutheran Church, falling off and starting all over again at the beginning for hours and hours at a time.
Climbing from Salisbury bridge onto the Rail Road Trestle all taking it all the way down to the Mississippi River… and running scared every time we heard a train.
The early 70's in Shaw Neighborhood:
Going to overnight skates at 'Skateland' on Morganford.
Giving Bucket Man Joe your spare change.
Sneaking liquor on the Admiral and drinking, even though we weren't old enough.
Hanging out at 'The White Wall' in Crondelet Park.
Riding our bikes on 'The Ramps' that use to be on Kingsway right between Vandeventor and Shaw.
Playing pinball at 'The Electric Palace on Hampton and playing Foosball at the TV Repair shop right off Arsenal and Kingshighway.

Post from Don Kricho (11/2/2007)

Great site, Dave. There’s an old saying to the effect that ‘You can never go back’. You’re proving otherwise.

FIRESIDE 7098 - Grew up in Walnut Park, St. Adalbert’s parish, DeAndreis & Laboure High Schools, Class of 1953. US Naval Air Reserve at Lambert Field, we had WWII vintage F-4U Corsairs in my Squadron.

1940’s were my defining decade (6 years old at Pearl Harbor): Big Band music on the radio; scrap metal & paper drives; rationing; buying Victory Bonds & Stamps; converting the Bircher Blvd. city park into the St. Louis Small Arms Plant - occasional power house explosions shaking up the neighborhood – thousands of workers walking through the neighborhood to plant entrances at Wren & Bircher and Amelia & Bircher; my father digging up vacant neighborhood lots to plant sweet potatoes and other vegetables that my parents canned to carry us through the winter; Saturday night homecoming parties in St. Adalbert School hall for Military personnel home on leave; watching training dogfights of fighter planes from local military bases flying over the city; v-mail; display of banners with blue or gold stars in neighborhood windows – seemed to be in almost every home; watching the flight and then searching for the remains of parachute flares manufactured and tested by a company in Ferguson; going to Union Station to meet returning military and bid farewell to those departing – wall to wall uniforms of every branch of service; Hop Harrigan radio show after school; playing war with real military gear brought home by uncles.

So far, I’ve found two references to Melrose pizza, which I consider to be the best St. Louis style pizza ever made. Melrose was across Natural Bridge just up the street from Ed’s White Front. I’d gladly pay for a recipe for Melrose cheese pizza with thin crust that was so pliable you had to hold a slice up above your face and drop the tip down into your mouth to eat it. Of course, washed down with a Pepsi.

Lifelong Cardinals fan, my grandfather used to take me to Sportsmans Park to watch a Sunday double-header from the left field bleachers, which cost a whopping 25 cents. We’d ride the Walnut Park bus from Thrush & Lillian to Grand & W. Florissant – then take the Grand streetcar to Dodier. Of course, he and every other adult in the stands was dressed up in their Sunday best – suit, tie, straw hats for the men and dresses and hats for the ladies. GM moved me from StLMO in 1977, to Ohio, then Michigan where I currently reside ----- but there’s still no other team in baseball that holds my interest. Thanks to DirectTV, I get to watch almost every game.

My dream season was 1948, although the year might not be exact – it was the year that Babe Ruth made a farewell tour to all of the parks where he had played. I remember him standing at the microphone with tears running down his face while he thanked the fans, especially the KnotHolers in the left field corner of the stands. I believe he died later that year or maybe the next. My uncle got me and my cousin a job with Missouri Sport Service selling soda at Sportsmans Park. Of course, that meant that during the summer vacation, we got to see every home game for both the Cardinals and the Browns. Musial, Schoendienst, Marion, Kurowski, Slaughter, Moore, Pollet, Brecheen, Diering, Medwick, Garagiola, Rice, Dickson, Munger, Brazle, etc. Everyone of these guys would stop and talk to the kids that ganged around the clubhouse exit after the games, especially Musial. I remember less about the Browns players who were having a bad year. Very low attendance. One night game, it was so cold that nobody was buying the soda, which we carried in glass bottles in big buckets with water and ice. So they gave a few of us big coffee pots, which we lugged up and down the stands to the chilled fans.

Post from Sherry Brookshier (11/2/2007)

I am a native Missourian. I lived 39 years of my life in and around St. Louis. 2 years ago I had to move to Ft. Worth Texas to follow my work. I work for AT&T. I have a few childhood memories to share. We lived in South St. Louis in Jefferson Barracks Apartments. I went to Beasley Elementary. We used to march from the Barracks to Sylvan Springs park for our yearly school carnival. I tried to be a baton twirler. From there we moved to Countryside Apartments in Bellefontaine. I remember skating @ Aloha skating rink. We used to go to the Bellefontaine Park and feed the ducks in the pond. My all time favorite gum was Bub's Daddy apple. Best gum ever I miss that for sure. I miss going to the drive-ins we used to have so much fun. Going to see the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Pepsi in a bottle (yummy). I remember the little carnival that I believe was in Berkley. The big slides off of Lindbergh. Riding the Bistate bus to NWP and going to the Orange Julius. Many concerts at the Checker Dome and Kiel Auditorium. Going to the Arch. Grants Farm,Oh how could I forget the Admiral. Now that I am here in Texas, The 5 things I miss the most besides my family are....... Trees-fresh air, White Castles, Pasta House salad dressing, & Wonder Bread. Wow I could go on forever. & last but not least K-SHE 95. Thanks for the memories.

Post from Paul Davis, [email protected] (11/2/2007)

I'm a native St. Louisan, and grew up in Ferguson. I remember ...
Grocery stores -- A&P, Tom Boy, Kroger, Bettendorf, Rapp, National and our local independent store, Scott's Market
Street cars -- the old wooden ones, painted yellow, with wicker benches. Ferguson was the "end of the line" for the Ferguson-Suburban line. It ran through Pine Lawn and into Wellston. We could use a pink (free) transfer pass to catch a downtown line.
Teen-age hangouts -- Parkmoor on Kingshighway, Sam the Watermelon Man in Pine Lawn, in Ferguson it was Krader's Circle K or Ruffs.
Eagle stamps and S&H green stamps.
Collecting old pots and pans for the war effort.
Our telephone number -- Yorktown 774
The glider crash that killed the mayor of St. Louis and several other dignateries.
The air force plane that crashed behind our house on North Elizabeth.
The small flags that hung in windows; one with a blue star meant a husband or son was in military service. A gold star meant a husband or son had been killed in the war.
I remember bond rallys. One, in Ferguson, offered a ride in an army "duck" for anyone who purchased a $25 war bond.
I remember gas rationing. If you had an "A" sticker on your windshield you were doing some kind of work essential to the war effort, and you got the maximum amount of gasoline allowed. "B" Stickers got a little less, and a "C" sticker meant you only used your car for emergencies. Meat, sugar and butter wer also rationed. Housewives saved grease and turned it in at the butcher shop. It was for the war effort, but I had no idea what the Army needed used grease for.
I remember when the March of Dimes manned a booth in front of the Methodist church on Florissant Road, and people would line up their dimes in rows, at the booth.
My first plane ride. I left for Navy boot camp in San Diego, from Lambert field. I flew on a TWA Constellation.
I remember threadneedle shoes, purchased at Boyd's, in Clayton. You weren't "with it" if you didn't own a pair of threads. Girls wore saddle-oxford shoes and hobble skirts. The skirts came down below the knees and the opening at the bottom was so small the girls had trouble getting on and off the school bus.
I remember going to see comedians Billy "Zoot" Reed and Davy "Nose" Bold.
I remember playing hooky witha couple of buddies. We went downtown to the World theater. It showed "dirty" movies -- you can pretty much see the same thing of TV today. The highlight of the film we saw was Hedy LaMar, bare from the waist up, and about half a mile away from the camera. It could have been anyone. I also remember actresses like Claudette Colbert, Vivian Leigh, Lana Turner, Greer Garson and actors like Paul Muni, Vincent Price, David Niven and so many more.
I remember my first car -- a 1937 Ford 3-window coupe.
I remember school picnics at the Highlands, summer trips to West Lake Amusement Park and spending the day on the Admiral. (It actually went up and down the river).
Only musicians and weird people smoked pot. Sneaking a beer was about as daring as any of us got.
I remember the wild celebrations when VE day (victory in Europe) came, and the war was over.

Anonymous Post (11/6/2007)

Memories Of Walnut Park In The 1960's
- the walk-up Dairy Queen on Riverview at Thekla (still there and open!)
- Stanley's Grocery Store at Thekla and Oriole
- the glorious Rio Show on Riverview, with the ever-menacing Shorty the usher threatening you with his flashlight. The Rio's 25 cent matinees every Wednesday at noon all summer for the kids out of school.
- Hartmann's Pharmacy on W. Florissant at Robin and their comic book rack.
- Cousin Collins Cash and Carry Corner at the corner of Gilmore and W. Florissant
- "Sheeney Hollow" also known as Dwight Davis Park
- the fabulous Shady Grove tavern on Lillian and its Friday dish fries
- Nativity Church and School on Harney/Oriole and pastor Dather Reeves; school principal Sister Charlene
- the annual Walnut Park street festival on Thekla around Robin-Plover that only lasted a few years in the early 1970's (gee, I wonder why??)
- Go Hardware on W. Florissant between Gilmore and Robin
- Smith's Confectionary on Gilmore at Harney

Post from Gene Brussman (11/7/2007)

I was born in Wellston Mo. In 1943 we moved to 5341 theodosia in the city. I went to Arlington grade school and then to Soldan High School. I dated a girl named Chris who livied in Normandy and was a Jobs Daughter I was in the De Molay. I have many happy memories growing up. Walking through Wellston and going to the Victory , Union Wellston and Palm theatres Of course the Fox And the Lowes. Clipping coupons for 5 White Castles 5 f0r 25 cents Im now 68 years old but have many good memeries of St Louis

Post from Ruth - FERGUSON (11/7/2007)

I posted on 4-6-07 about Ferguson, it's good to see more people from that area.
I lived on Barat and there was a home on Harnett that my mother always called the "Mothers and Childrens Home", if I remember correctly. I think it was for women and children who's father was in the war. Later on it was just for children.
I remember Manninos Market and the tavern across the street that has great tamales.
There was a Barber Shop across the street on Paul that we painted the windows for Halloween a couple times.
I remember going to the creek on Paul up by the Match Factory and Bermuda after a big rain, seems like a couple of times, the creek was flooded and they were looking for some kids that had been washed down the creek in the rain.
I walked the railroad tracks to Northland. Played miniture golf there. I remember the Trampolines that you paid to jump 1/2 hour, down around W. Florissant and Chambers.
I went to St. John and James School, Ferguson Jr. High, and McCluer.
A friend of mines parents owned the Bakery on Church St. and another friends father worked at the Drug Store (Quillmans?) in the middle of Ferguson.
Who remembers the big nativity set at the church in the middle of downtown Ferguson?
We would always go to the dime stores in Ferguson, there were 2, across the street from each other, one was Ben Franklin. Remember the fairs they would have at the end of summer behind the stores? I would always want to work there, I was really too little, but would ask anyway. They would always say come back the next morning and ask, but we would always be in school.
I remember looking in the store window at Church St. and Florissant Rd. and watching the TV's. There was also a shoe repair man that worked next door to that store,who was deaf or hard of hearing.
Down Florissant Rd. there was a gas station, the attendents name was Toby I think, he was always nice to us kids when we went there. Strange how you remember people that you only saw every once in a while.
Anonymous 8-9-07, what street did you live on???? Were we playing in the same creek?
I remember the couple that ran the Little Store at Chambers and Hartnett. My brother and I went in there once with $1.00 and asked for the 2 for a penny candy, poor people had to count out all that candy. We then went home and hid it in the back of an old upright radio so our Mom wouldn't find it! They also had the gum ball machine that if you got a striped piece of gum you would get something free, anyone remember that?
How about Whites Bakery Man coming door to door, I loved the Chocolate cake with marshmellow cream in it, or the Snow Ball cakes.
Remember the tornado that hit in 66 -'67? I was in high school then, it uprooted some trees and did some damage on our street, but our house was OK.
Any John and James people around??? Let us hear from you!

Post from Bob Frischmann (11/15/2007)

Memories Of RiverRoads Mall in its glory days of the 1960's and early 1970's
(I have many photos of this once proud historic mall in its final years before its 2007 demolition)
- Woolworth's Five and Dime Store and its famous snack bar facing the mall entrance - the first "frozen Coke" machine
- Woolworth's mean old manager Mr. Rabbit
- Woolworth's basement pet department and "Sam" the talking mynah bird
- Woolworth's famous Steamboat Room restaurant and great waitress Jane Huff (I have a section of the white wood steamboat railing that faced the mall obtained during demolition recently)
- Kroger Supermarket and its grouchy, boozing manager Mr. Jim Hasemeier (who I worked for!)
- Kroger Supermarket and cashier/college student Kevin Slaten (future pro broadcaster)
- the magnificent Stix, Baer, and Fuller store - all four floors and its fountain facing the mall entrance
- The Stix fresh bakery
- The Stix Pavillion Restuarant and its fine dining
- The Stix Pavillion coffee shop and its famous bread pudding
- J.C. Penney - both the original two story store in the original mall, and the add-on two story building when the mall expanded in 1971
- Spencer Lanes Bowling Alley (down in the lower level) and its billiards room
- Babors Sausage and Deli Shop
- Harvest House Cafeteria (next to Steamboat Room, also owned by Woolworth)
- Ludwig Aelion Music Store and its guitar lessons by John Weir
- the Easter puppet show in the mall
- Walgreen's restaurant and its open air booths alongside the mall
- Hartig's Jeweler
- Weatherby Kayser Shoes
- Walden Book Store
- Lane Bryant Ladies Clothes
- The lower level barber shop and beauty shop

Anonymous Post (11/17/2007)

Two things:
No1. Does anyone remember a Church in North St Louis ( around Broadway and Whithers or Bulwer )named El - Bethel Baptist Church and No2, Dose anyone have the Receipt for Home made Wine? I still have a Wine Crock my Aunt died and left me.and I don't have her receipt for the Wine.

Post from Mary Hepburn-Gautier, Ms 39553 (11/25/2007)

I too many memories to put into print, but I need help. In Forest Park, there was a statue of an angel with a broken wing. I desparately want a pic of it. My Dad broke the wing with a cricket ball. I was a fountain on the double sidewalk straight out from the front of the Eugene Field House. Can anyone help me?

Memories Of Northwest Plaza Shopping Center In The 1970's/1980's by Bob Frischmann (11/25/2007)

(This mall currently opens its doors daily to little more than the wind - it is a sad, depressing ghost town of vacant store fronts and virtually no shoppers. How Macy's and Sears have stayed there is beyond me. It is a prime place to get mugged.) The plan to revitalize with taxpayer money is a pipe dream by a desperate St. Ann - it's days are over - R.I.P. Northwest Plaza
1) The Fatted Calf Restaurant (lower level)
2) Carl's Two Cent Plain Deli (lower level)
3) Woolworth's - a really large Woolworth store, two floors with a sit down restaurant on both floors, I don't recall if the upper level one was a Steamboat Room, like RiverRoads
4) The Annual Labor Day Jerry Lewis Telethon St. Louis portion coming from center court with Channel 5 and Clif St. James as host
5) An OPEN AIR shopping center - before it was enclosed as a mall in 1990 (NOT 1992 as the clueless Post-Dispatch recently reported)
6) When it opened in the mid-1960's, the largest shopping center in the U.S. by square footage
7) Walgreen's store and sit down restaurant
8) B. Dalton bookstore (well before bookstores were in vogue)
9) the visit by current president Jimmy Carter a week or so before the presidential election on a weeknight in late October, 1980 and a rally in center court on a stage - entire upper level parking lot was shut down/closed off for the presidential motorcade
10) the grand re-opening as an enclosed mall in late, 1990 and Chubby Checker on stage doing the Twist
11) the large J.C. Penney store that just closed a few years ago
12) THE holiday destination for shopping - packed in every store
The Sad 1990's
12) the flop of a Dick Clark's American Bandstand Grill in the 1990's
13) two shootings - one fatal inside Famous Barr on Christmas Eve, mid-1990's, one outside the movie theater
14) St. Ann Police patrolling the mall in the early 1990's with German shepherds
15) 2000-on - all businesses running fast, Dilards to close soon, the two partial floors that are left
16) a modern day RiverRoads - a sad, white elephant of a shell that no one will touch or go near any longer

Memories from Sue S. in Tulsa (11/25/2007)

I grew up in Affton in the late 60’s and early 70’s. We still called our friends’ names from outside their doors. Must have been a hand-me-down from the city. My parents grew up in South St. Louis and my grandparents on both sides lived there while I was growing up in the burbs so I have many of the memories mentioned.

Do you remember the stories of “The Exorcist” happening in St. Louis. I believe it was supposed to have happened at Alexian Brothers Hospital and SLU. It was a 12-13 year old boy instead of a girl. Does any one remember the story that there was a ½ human, ½ ape in Arsenal (local name for the mental hospital)?

I had just learned my phone #: ME1-9471 when it was changed to all numbers.

We had a round metal swimming pool that got so hot in the summer. (My husband thought they were horse troughs when he first saw them. He’s from the east coast.)

We watched Romper Room, H.R. Puffinstuff, Dot and a show about a kangaroo on Sundays. I think it was called ‘Joey’. I even remember Kukla, Fran and Ollie.

We bounced around in the back of our Rambler station wagon. No seat belts much less car seats. But the station wagon was great at Ronnie’s Drive-In where we would “sleep” after the cartoons. We usually would sneak peeks over the back seat at the movie. I always wanted to ride the kiddie train in the playground before the movie but I never was allowed.

My Dad always called the refrigerator an ‘Ice-box’ and to this day I will let it slip. Pasta was called ‘noodles’. Our great-aunts were all called Tonda ______. But it sounded like Tonna.

My grandparents took us to Soulard Market, and walking on the frozen pond in Carondolet Park. The huge pavilion used to seem like a haunted house to me. I liked to walk out on the piers to the gazebos on the lake.

I was always afraid to walk over the air vents when we went downtown.

The voice of Jack Buck immediately takes me back to summer days in the carport listening to Cardinal games on the transistor radio with Dad barbecuing on the driveway.

We all played ball at Heine Meine. It was a big part of my childhood. Had my first major crush at the park. Still think about him every once in a while. My brother’s ball team was sponsored by a Vic’s Bar so after games everyone would go there into a back room and hob-nob. The bar part was such a mysterious place, very dark with neon lights. Not very PC today taking kids into a bar.

We had a Tom-Boy grocery store at the end of our street. And the bookmobile would come by in the summer to their parking lot until the Weber Branch Library was built.

My great-uncle would listen to Wrestling at the Chase and Grandma would listen to Oral Roberts. (Little did I know that one day I would live in Tulsa and actually work for his daughter.)

We had one room with a window A/C that was closed off from the rest of the house with a plastic accordion style door. The rest of the house was “cooled” by a pedestal box fan placed in front of the screen door. What a luxury compared to the previous stories.

Was it a Monsanto or Mallinckrodt plant on the north side of River Des Peres? What did it produce? I just remember teaching my little brother to say “Pollution” every time we drove past it because of all the steam and smoke emanating from it.

Steve Mizerany ads. What a hoot.

Wacky packs were all the rage. I remember bowling at RedBird Lanes, licking Green Stamps, gas was 50 cents / gal., kickball in the street, sledding in the street, the big slide and miniature golf course on Hampton.

Whenever a tornado warning sounded we would run out of the house to see the storm coming.

So many memories I had forgotten that I had. My head is about to explode. I had forgotten the scent of the Colonial Bakery while driving on the highway. What a beautiful idea, Dave.

Memories from Cliff - Normandy 57(11/25/2007)

Dave, great memories being sixty seven it brings back the days of old. Amazing how things change over our lifetime! Let me try to drug up a few not covered. Grew up in Normandy but then moved to Webster Groves then to our first apartment in South St. Louis and later to Florissant. Now enjoying Sun City AZ., hurray no snow shovel.

As a child Mom would give me the cans of bacon grease to cash in for nickels; war effort

Hording food in the basement

Walking to McKinley Grade School along the top of the Cemetery Wall along Lucas & Hunt Road. Playing a lot of bottle caps, corkball, backup and basketball on their playground. Stopping at Johnnie’s Tavern, next to the Grade School to buy some penny candies.

In Junior high I went to Wellston to buy my first pair of white bucks only to later be told by my Sisters that they were girl’s shoes. Who knew they were different?

You had to have a Mister B shirt with the studs. Boyd’s was the place to shop.

Cutting the red tags off others Levis to collect for some prize? I just remember getting a cut finger

On New Years Eve people would go to their front porch and at the stroke of Midnight

Bang on pots and pans.

Caddying at the Glen Echo Country Club, Ice skating on their ponds and sledding on the infamous Three Tees.

At Godat’s Drug store for a dine you could get the best homemade Lemon Aid and then spend as much time as you could reading the comic books before they shushed you on your way.

Selling Hulla Hoops when they first came out on the corner of Lucas Hunt and Natural Bridge. Couldn’t keep up with the demand.

Purple Cows

Returning to the old neighborhood thirty years later and seeing first hand what Urban Blight was

When bike riding when about twelve I found a photo of a nude woman. Took it home but then figured I better get ride of it. So while walking down the street I threw it into a neighbors auto as the window was rolled down. A few weeks later the Man of that house was found hanging in his basement. Always wondered if the photo had anything to do with his death?

The “Yacht Club” Boat docked on the river front was a neat night spot

Hear they tore down the Infamous “Coral Courts” on Highway 66. Rooms by the hour.

KATZ, the station for your News and Blues “got a grapefruit smuggler on the sceen”

Gotta go, gotta get, gotta make with the split, gotta fade from the sceen as the happings end, gotta say farewell to one and all as a cat and a friend, dig yu latter Gator when yo feet is a little straighter.

Memories from Lynn from Michigan (Originally and Proudly from St. Louis ) (11/30/2007)

I love reading these St. Louis memories and find myself returning often just to relive the wonderful memories these pages inspire. As I grow older and talk to people, I find that so many of the things we did and said growing up in St. Louis seem to be indicative of only St. Louis. I had the memory come back to me of how we girls would ask a boy for his "Fruit Loop." A fruit loop was the little loop on the back of the boy's shirts up near the collar. After receiving permission, we'd rip it off and add it to our collection. I remember some of the girls had literally hundreds of the little loops. It was also a great way to meet boys! It became quite a problem after Mother's started complaining about their sons coming home with ripped shirts and it was greatly discouraged. I remember at my school there were even punishments for any girl who asked a boy for his fruit loop. The craze eventually passed as all crazes do. Does anyone else remember this silly craze? It was back in the mid 60's.

Memories from Carole Pope (11/30/2007)

Dave this is a fantastic web site. I've lived in University City, Overland, and Hanley Hills.

We lived on Sutter Avenue, my grandparents lived on Maple Ave in U. City Our phone number was PArkview-7-7525. I went eight years to All Saint's Grade School in U. City on Clemens and Westgate. With nuns who put the fear of everything in you. Our tuition was a dollar a month per child.

We had one of the best cooks around to fix school lunches, everyday parents would come to school to help serve our meals, lunch was twenty cents I paid with a quarter and with the five cents change I would pay other students to drink the warm milk that was served and eat the butter bread sandwich served with each meal. The Nuns would walk up and down the aisle to make sure we ate all of our lunch. You didn't go out to play until your plate was clean.

Our school picnics were at the Forest Park Highlands and then West Lake Amusement Park, we got to ride a chartered bus to the picnics. Our Pastor Father George Ryan would forbid us to ride the roller coaster at either park. I liked West Lake better because of the swimming pool. Our parents put us on the bus early in the morning so that when we arrived at West Lake the first thing we had to do was go reserve the tables our parents like to sit at. Then we would find Father Ryan and he would have tickets for the rides to give us, he wasn't hard to find in that big park, he stationed himself by the line to ride the roller coaster.

All Saints is located about three blocks south of Delmar Blvd, a predominantly Jewish neighborhood, with three story apartments building surrounding our school and church. Our school Christmas party's where held in the cafeteria Father Ryan greeted each student on the stage, game us a box of hard candy, the biggest apple and orange I'd ever seen and always a miniature crib holding the Infant Jesus.

On Christmas Eve we would have to go Caroling in the Jewish neighborhood, after about the tenth apartment building, we would argue who was going to run up to the third floor and try to collect money from people who were waiting for the coming of Christ, while we were celebrating his birth.

Every Friday night we had Drum and Bugle Core practice. Most of the time we held practice in the third floor gym of the school. I was a Majorette and a poor one to say the least, it was hard to not hit someone in the head. But the icing on the cake was as soon as practice was over, we would walk about two blocks south and go to the Tivoli or Varsity Theaters on Delmar, I saw the first showing of Gone With The Wind at the Varsity.

I remember the Hot Tamale man, the rag pickers, Sam the watermelon man,the man who came around to sharpen knives, Also the person who came around with a pony and would take your picture dressed up like a cowgirl and let's not forget the people who took your picture as you walked down Grand Avenue going to the Fox to see a movie. The police officers walked the beat back then, when you heard the officer hit his night stick on the sidewalk, that meant you had better get home and stay there for the night.

We shopped in Wellston, took the streetcar by the old Bardenheir wine factory, to get to the street car line, we had to walk to the end of Maple climb up the hill and cross over the railroad tracks, the slide down the hill. On the way home, we would get off the street car and walk over to the "Greeks" restaurant on Maple Ave. next to the bath house at the intersection of Maple, Olive Street Road and Hodiamont.

Let no one forget Pratzels Bakery, on Eastgate near Delmar. The best fried chicken and homemade pies were sold at Golden Fried Chicken on Delmar near the Pageant theater, which we never really went to that show, we did have a show about a block away from home, it was the University City theater, we use to call it the U.City dump next to Stoffels drug store right down the street from Cunningham Park where we spent all of our summers at, right down the street from Gilley's gip joint .

Thanks Dave, this is a great web site.

Memories from an anonymous shouter (12/16/2007)

HI, WHEN I WAS A KID, FRIENDS AND I WOULD GO DOWN TOWN TO A PLACE THAT SOLD NUTS ROCK CANDY,AND OTHER CANDIES. WE USED TO BUY THESE NUTS THAT WERE SHINY RUSTY RED COLOR,I THINK THE PLACE WAS CALLED THE NUT HOUSE.I'VE BEEN TRYING TO FIND THESE NUTS, OR A WAY TO MAKE THEM. WE USED TO CALL THEM ROACHES CAUSE THEY LOOKED LIKE ROACHES WITHOUT LEGS, THEY HAD A SLIGHTLY OILFEEL.I'M 57 YEARS OLD SO I'M GOING BACK A FEW YEARS. ANYWAY YOU CAN HELP ME FIND INFORMATION ON THIS BUSINESS OR WHAT THE NUTS WERE CALLED? A FRIEND OF MINE SAYS THEY WERE PUMPKIN SEEDS, BUT I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE ONES WE BOUGHT. HOPE YOU CAN HELP. [email protected]

Memories from another anonymous poster (12/16/2007)

Does anyone remember the dark, chewy, nutty, nugget-shaped Christmas cookies that Schmidt's (or Schmidt Brothers) Bakery on South Grand Avenue sold at Christmas time?

My family went to Schmidt's often for peanut coffee cake and at Christmas-time, THOSE COOKIES. Schmidt's went out of business in the early 1970's. Since then, my sister and I moved out of town, but we have fond memories of the cookies.

Does anyone have a recipe for the cookies?

Memories from Mary (12/16/2007)

Born in 66, I spent much time in Overland because my grandparents lived there. Holiday Hill was so cool! I wish I had photos from it. I remember the treat it was to go have dinner at Noah's Ark which seemed way far away. I loved getting a "kiddie cocktail" with the giraffe swizzlestick there! I remember going to the Admiral to see local dance troupes perform. I remember the rush of standing in the bowels of the Admiral near the engines, seeing the enormous pistons turning to push the mighty vessel up and down the river. The game room as located there as well but there were no video games then. It was filled with pinball machines and games of chance plus my favorite souvenir machine that made the little tin medallion you could personalize with a message you pressed into the metal, letter by letter, with a large crank. I remember a store (might have been Kresge's?) that had a train that kids could ride in HANGING FROM THE CEILING. You had to climb up small set of stairs to get into the train and it ran all along the walls of the main floor, so as you looked down you could see all the shoppers waving at you and all the beautiful Christmas decorations below -- would NEVER happen today for safety reasons but boy was it cool as kid to be up that high in the store, looking down at the adults! If anyone else remembers what store this way, please let me know. I assume it was North County since that's where I lived when I was a kid, but I can't be sure.

Request from Terhi Kylliainen (12/16/2007)

I came across your 'St Louis Memories' site in internet and looked at it with interest. It is a great idea from you to have set this up giving people a chance to share their memories, and for us, who weren't there, to read them.

I wanted to get in touch with you as I am working on small UK documentary about a poet and lyricist Fran Landesman. She was born in New York, but lived in St Louis in 1950s, where she ran the cabaret Crystal Palace on Gaslight Square with husband Jay Landesman.

The documentary tracks down her life, including the St Louis years, and I am looking for photos of St Louis to illustrate this part of the documentary. Especially, I am looking for photos from Gaslight Square or Crystal Palace, but general photos of St Louis would be equally good.

I wanted to get in touch with you as I though that perhaps, having first hand knowledge from St Louis, you might know where I could look for photos. I have checked places like Western Historical Manuscript Collection in St Louis, but I am especially keen to find individuals who hold photos from this time, as I find that often this kind of photos are better at showing the atmosphere and how people experienced a time or a place, rather than more 'official' sources.

Would you able to give me any advice or point me to the right direction as to where to look? Or perhaps it might be possible to somehow spread the word amongst other people who have contributed to your site and see if anyone would be keen to donate photos or know of a good resource?

NOTE FROM DAVE LOSSOS - If anyone has something for Terhi, please send to me and I will pass it along.

Response from Anonymous (12/17/2007)

Dave, there is a lot on google.com regarding Jay and Fran Landesman with regard to Gaslight Square. UMSL seems to have a lot of their papers in archives. As far as pictures of Gaslight Square, no one who was at the square at night was even thinking of taking pictures! Too much else going on. I used to go to Gaslight Square often with my husband and my parents. What a place, authors were sitting in small bars discussing their book that was just published and some of the high society of St. Louis could always be seen there. It was a little dangerous, which of course made it more fun. Then it took a turn for the worse in the early sixties and filled up with hippies sitting on the curbs. We never went back again after my father went to Gaslight Square by himself one night and found himself driving right through the middle of a hail of bullets on the main street of the square. The 50's and 60's were so much fun, thanks for reminding me.

Memories of the Varsity Theater in University City by Bob Frischmann (12/17/2007)

Since Carole Pope made reference to the old Varsity Theater on Delmar, I thought I would add to that since this coming Jan. 3 (2008) will mark the 20th anniversary of the Varsity's closing. The closing received heavy media coverage in 1988, a testament to the popularity and local ties the film palace established in University City.

I guess what the Varsity became famous for in its later years was being known as the home to The Rocky Horror Picture Show - it started as a first run movie in normal evening hours in 1975 when it was released, within months moved to the midnight weekend show, and stayed there right up until the Varisty's final movie on Jan. 3, 1988.

In its heyday, people would start buying tickets for the Rocky Horror Picture Show as early as 5 p.m. on weekends. During the late 1970's into the mid-1980's it was a constant total sell out.

Not to mention the crazy characters and dress-ups who got their 15 minutes of fame in front of the screen, or Varsity owner Pete Piccione, a dead ringer for "Dr. Scott" in the movie.

Who could also forget the Varsity for its other famous midnight show "The 10 Best Of The Three Stooges" usually including the pair of 3-D shorts in brilliant, polarized 3-D - Moe's eye pokes had people in the back row ducking!

The Stooges midnight show ran at different times of the year but was best remembered between Christmas and New Years, and the Sunday night before Labor Day. It was always a total sell out (about 1,000) with kids sitting in the aisles and standing in the back just to get in. One such night the line stretched two blocks down Delmar at 12:30 am - half an hour after the show started and the theater was already packed!

And the Varsity had its share of controversy. When it showed the X rated Caligula, University City prosecutors threatened to put owener Pete Piccione in the pokey if he didn't pull the racy film immediately. And I thought University City was a liberal community? Hmmmm

The Varsity became a Medicare-Glaser drugstore, after a total interior gutting of the theater and re-do, which lasted maybe two years before Medicare went bankrupt. Shortly thereafter, it became what it still is - Vintage Vinyl. The original exterior overhang/marque is about all the remnant that is left of the theater.

Response from Tom Caulley in Florida [email protected] (12/17/2007)

Merry Christmas, Dave,

I visit and read your site every few days to see what other memories have been posted. The site is great!!

I'd like to know if anyone remembers a museum-type establishment that was across Broadway from the old Busch Stadium back in the 1960s, before 1966. This place had all kinds of old mechanical-band machines (one I remeber being called "Big Bertha") and nickelodeons. I remeber riding the bus down there from Walnut Park and paying the admission so I could follow others around the place and listen when THEY played the band machines.

Anyway, does anyone remember the name of this place AND does anyone know what happened to all of those great old band machines?

Response from Anonymous (12/22/2007)

Hi Dave, I lived St. Louis from 1958 to 1971, 1534 John Ave between Florissant and Carter. I went to Brian Hill Elementary. My mom used to do key punch for Krey Packing I remember that smell well. My mom loves to tell me the story when a Krey truck wrecked down by Grand and Florissant and some pigs got free, I was real little and I was calling them, here kitty, kitty. I also remember the Tower Theater and when they replaced it with a Jack in the Box. Guys selling papers around the old Water Tower on Grand, in the middle of winter with fire barrels burning. Mr. Softee Ice Cream Trucks. I used to deliver papers in a wooden cart with big metal wheels, made a lot of noise going down the street. Motorcycle cops on three wheelers. The corner bars and convenience stores that were built right into the corner apartment buildings. Channel 30, Tobor the 8th Man

Response from Mike and Dawn Hruby (12/28/2007)

LOVE your website! Need some help----

An acquaintance of mine mentioned that his late grandfather (as a child) remembers members of the 1930s Cardinals "Gas House Gang" (including Pepper Martin, Frank Frisch, Joe Medwick, Buster Mills, and Burleigh Grimes) would often play stickball with the kids, in the street (the boy's name was Earl Mitchell; he was "a BIG Joe Medwick fan", and lived down the street from Joe, about ten minutes from old Sportsman's Park---would WELCOME any help, from Cards fans or relatives, who might remember the old Cards playing stickball with their young fans----

Response from Carol B. - [email protected] (12/31/2007)

I was born in St. Louis in July, 1940. Both of my parents were born there too and all of my grandparents lived there. My dad worked for Brown Shoe Co. his whole working life and they sent him to CA in Jan., 1949, so I've lived here ever since. While In St. Louis, my dad enlisted in the army during WWII, so my mom took us to stay with our grandmother who lived on Flora Pl. I remember that house well.....so big! A 3 story house with a nice backyard. When my dad got out of the service he bought a house on Stratford Ave. & my brother & I went to Flynn Park School. I remember sledding down our street in the winter. I remember my other grandmother's apt. on Thurman Ave. After I retired from teaching in 2000, we took a family trip back to St. Louis & looked up our old houses & St. John's Episcopal Church. We loved eating dinner on The Hill.....a great time! We loved it so much that in 2003 we took a trip on the Delta Queen on the Mississippi and got off in St. Louis again. We went to a Cardinals game & were impressed by the local team spirit and friendly people! I am proud to say that I'm from St. Louis and hope that I can visit again!

Response from Suzanne (12/31/2007)

Boy, I have to get my husband in on this website. He remembers streetcars. Just found you while looking for Garavelli's Restaurant. Does anyone remember Joe Garavelli doing painting of scenes from Italy?