St. Louis Memories

St. Louis Memories 2009

David A. Lossos

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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
those I received in 2008 are posted at
Memories 2008
those I received in 2009 are posted at
Memories 2009 (You are currently looking at this website)
those I received in 2010 are posted at
Memories 2010
memories currently being sent in are at
Current Memories

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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 Wayne R (1/1/2009)
Hi Dave. I was catching up on some of the old posts when I came across one from Kathleen Neason on May 14, 2007. She stated that the magician Ernie Heldman was her father.
What a small world! When I was in grade school (late 1950's and early 1960's) I watched Ernie Heldman's Magic Show on television many times with my father and my Uncle Irwin (who was a pretty fair amateur magician.)
I thought that Ernie was absolutely great. Although I never realized that he lived in Missouri, much less Saint Louis. I also remember Arlene, although quite honestly I wasn't sure about her name after all these years.
Hope that Kathleen gets to read this post!
Wayne ([email protected])
Post from Gloria (1/1/2009)
Response to Unnamed 12/29/2008: You have such wonderful memories of an area I grew up in.
I remember milk being delivered, but not the horse and wagon. And the paper caps on the milk bottles, we use to collect them, I don't remember why.
The drug store at Westgate and Delmar was so crowded , it seemed like each drug store had a grill and soda fountain.
I remember Stivers burning down, the Coffee Pot, Saffrans clothing store. All of the little grocery stores, almost one on every corner. We went to Zieglers on Westgate and Cabanne. Gillie's gip joint at Sutter and Bartmer, Irwins drug store and a hardware store at Olive Street road and Westgate, the place had a floor that went down hill.
Do you remember the name of an ice cream store that was in the 6500 block of Olive Street Road? It was also a chicken restaurant and finally a heating company. We cannot remember the name of the chicken place.
Looking forward to your next post.

Post from Bobbi (1/4/2009)
In response to Gloria:
I'm not sure of "addresses", but I think the ice cream place on Olive was Greenlee's (sp?). I can remember my folks taking us to this wonderful sit-down ice cream parlor in the mid-to-late fifties, possibly even early sixties (it seemed large to me at the time), and it was on Olive and it was called Greenlee's (85% sure of the name). I believe it was in U.City and at some point in time it may have become an administrative office for Steak N Shake (certainly after it was the "chicken place", but I think I remember that, too.
Post from Jeff Silver (1/5/2009)
To Gloria
Dave thanks for the website. I’m a long time reader and haven’t responded or sent you any memories as yet. I’ve meaning to write for 4 years now.
The ice cream store on the 6500 block of Olive St Rd was perhaps Jack & Jill or there was a Dairy Dell across the street from Heman Park.
Post from Gloria (1/12/2009)
In response to my own question:
The name of the chicken restaurant on Olive Street Road was CHICKEN IN A JIFFY............................
Post from ??? (1/12/2009)
A customer sent me the link to your website. What a fun site! I grew up in Maplewood. Graduated in the class of 1961. I remember when my phone number was STerling 7527 and then later it was STerling 1-7527.

Someone asked about Hollywood Miniature Golf. I seem to remember it being on Manchester along about Brentwood. I know the Ford dealer that used to be at Manchester and Kirkwood Road (Suburban Ford at one time) moved to the location once occupied by Hollywood, but that was ages ago.

Does anybody remember the trampoline craze along about 1959 or 60? My friend Bruce and I would double date and go to Billy's Bounceland on Manchester. Great fun!
Post from Karen Rogers Pleimann Vehlewald (1/12/2009)
To the person who lived in Jefferson Barracks. I grew up in Lemay and went to St Andrew grade school and Bishop Du Bourg High. I was friends of several people who lived in the Barracks. The Chitwoods lived in the old barrcks. The Wessels lived in a officer house. The Jacobs lived in the new houses down there. I dated a boy that lived on the VA hospital grounds. We later married. We hung out in the barracks a lot. I can't remember all the names. I still live in the area. Lot's of fun memories.
Post from Wayne R (1/12/2009)
to Gloria's post of 1/1/2009.
Yes, I remember Zieglers Market on Westgate and Cabanne. I even remember the sign that they had in the window which said, "We deliver." I graduated high school with a Marty Ziegler, but right not I can't recall if I ever asked him whether that place was owned by his family.
I don't remember Gillies. Although I do remember Bartmer and Sutter. I lived near Olive Street Road and Pennsylvania. Don't remember the ice cream store or the chicken place near 6500 Olive Street Road. However, I vaguely remember the heating and cooling company. Wasn't it called Matheny Brothers.
Do you happen to remember Frank & Helens Pizza in the 8200 block of Olive Street Road. They opened in 1956, I first ate there in 1969, and they are still open today. In fact, just as soon as I send this E-mail off to Dave, that's where I'm going for supper.
Post from Gloria (1/15/2009)
In response to Bobbie:
The ice cream shop next to Steak and Shake was closer to 82nd St. and did turn into their head office.
My father owned the Chicken Delight restaurant directly across the street from Steak and Shake, back in the late fifties and early sixties. There motto was "DON'T COOK TONIGHT, CALL CHICKEN DELIGHT." It was a delivery take out business.
I just talked to a friend who worked for the shop I'm talking about, he said it was Chicken in a Jiffy, and it sold ice cream also. Then became Matheny's Heating, which is still in business at the same location.
Dave, as I've said before this is a wonderful web site and many thanks to you for allowing all of these wonderful memories. The thing I love about this site is that it is good therapy for this old mind.
TO WAYNE:
I remember Frank and Helens, still has good food. Our "group" use to hang out at Chaney's Bar every once in a while. Our favorite Italian restaurant was Rinaldi's on Delmar near Kingsland.
Post from ??? (1/15/2009)
Oh my gosh! What fun reading everyone’s memories.
I group up in Baden, north St Louis City in the 50s and 60s.
Holy Cross church and grade school, 1956-65. Fish fries. Sledding down the hill behind the rectory in winter. School picnic – dad tending the bar. Mom helping in the school cafeteria. Monsignor Hellriegel (?). “Ist dast nicht ein schnitzelbank?” (So my German isn’t so great)
Old public library on Broadway. I loved to read – still do.
Building the new library at Church road and Halls Ferry. Had mud ball fights with my brother after a rain when they were excavating the site. I’m sure mom was thrilled when we got home.
City park on Church road a block or so from Holy Cross. “Coach” and “teach” hired by the city to work at the park each summer. The old swimming pool, making pot holders, playing ball against other city park teams. Tennis.
Bike riding everywhere. Believe it or not, Calvary cemetery was a great place to ride – great roads and no traffic.
Dad worked, mom stayed at home. We never had a lot of money but we never wanted for anything. I had my bike and dolls – what more was there in life?
Dad was a fire fighter. Usually worked in Walnut Park on Riverview. I remember visiting him and sliding down the pole.
Dad helped to keep our neighborhood bar in business. It was a big deal when he would buy me an orange soda and let me watch him play pinochle. The neighbor kids would play kick the can on the bar’s back parking lot. And in the evenings, the back porch of the bar was home base for the nightly game of hide and seek.
My kids were born and grew up in central Missouri. Believe it or not, my son’s wife is the granddaughter of the man who owned that bar! What a surprise that was.
And what a wonderful life. Thanks to all for the memories.
Post from Wayne R. (1/24/2009)
In response to Gloria's note to me: It sounds like I got the part about Matheny's correct. Yes, I also remember Chaneys and Rinaldis. Although I never ate at Rinaldis, I had plenty of great barbecue at Chaney's, right up until the time that they closed up and were replaced by a Chinese restaurant. Seems like all of the good barbecue places in Saint Louis are closing up.
I also remember Chicken Delight, although for some reason I thought that they were on Delmar.
Post from ????? (1/26/2009)
This is my second post.
Left the St. Louis in the 70's
Some things I forgot on last post.
Lodholz Bros auto parts in Ferguson and waiting for Hans or Bill to get your parts, lots of people there on a Sunday, no other parts places around. I remember when they sold appliances there..vaguely. No great auto parts stores around like that anymore.
Tony Manninos Day and Night Market. I think his whole family worked there. A very generous man to people in need ,especially at Christmas time. God bless you Tony. (I can still say God bless cant I ?)
When they tore down some houses to build the "Food Center" at North Florissant and Chambers Road.
Waiting for hours to see Dr. Mitchell Johnson when I was sick, and going next door to Gasens for medicine.
Just hardware on Florissant Road.
Also remember Kienstra ready mix when it was still across the street from Gasens. Florissant road was a bumpy ,narrow ,crowned ,2 laner.
Also St. John And James and Father Dames, he would hand out report cards and sing funny songs to us.
Jimmie Edwards, a Ferguson policeman, that gave many of us way to many warnings.
Post from Gloria (1/26/2009)
In response to Wayne 01-24-2009:
Chicken Delight was a franchise restaurant . We also had a shop at St. Charles Rock Road and Woodson Road. There could have been a franchise on Delmar.
The best place to get chicken was Golden Fried Chicken on Delmar near the Pageant theater .
There is a good barbecue place I know of on Bermuda Avenue, in Ferguson, but I don't recall the name of of the place.
Post from Tom Caulley (2/1/2009)
My name is Tom Caulley, raised in Walnut Park, and I'm trying to enlist help in getting the Classmates.com website to list ALL of the city's 72 neighborhoods when you select neighborhoods as your community in St. Louis. So far, they have what they call 177 St. Louis neighborhoods, but most are the individual suburbs/cities around St. Louis and NOT the neighborhoods within the city limits. They even list North Dupo (IL) as a St. Louis neighborhood. The ONLY St. Louis CITY neighborhoods they list are the following 6:(Baden, Benton, Carondelet, Clayton, Ellendale and Southhampton).

Every 2 or 3 weeks I have been sending them an email with ALL the info they need to include the remaining 66 neighborhoods that lie within the city limits of St. Louis, but I am only one voice and they seem to be ignoring me.

Anyway, if you are interrested in helping get a true and accurate list of St. Louis neighborhoods on Classmates.com, you can send me an email at [email protected] and I'll send you an email with all the information you would need to send them. This includes a list of all the neighborhoods, a description of each neighborhood or its boundaries, their Zip Codes and 2 attached maps- one showing the neighborhoods and one showing the Zip Codes.

(COMMENT FROM Dave Lossos: Although I'm not a big fan of Classmates.com I agree that you can't have too many sources of information and networking. Personally, I wish that Classmates.com would relate to school instead of neighborhoods, regardless of how poorly they do on even neighborhood definition. If interested in helping Tom please contact him directly.)
Post from MEinVirginia (2/2/2009)
I remember Dr. Johnson quite well. When I was 12 years old my appendix burst, the old Dr. Johnson came by our house in Florissant and sent me to the hospital immediately. Dr. Mitchell Johnson operated on me within the hours and I am fairly certain he saved my life. Our family continued to go to his office in Ferguson until he retired.

I also remember carrying groceries home from Manino's Day and Night for my grandmother. She live on Pemberton Place off Wiegle Drive.
Post from Walt Klein, [email protected] (2/2/2009)
The best part of my life began in the summer of 1950 when my family moved into a beautiful brick and stone house at 5515 Riverview Blvd.

Our phone number was Colfax 3202.

I started kindergarten that fall at Nativity of Our Lord Parish School. Sister Carina was my first teacher and I remember marveling at her ability to play the piano. I'd never seen anyone play the piano before. The Walnut Park neighborhood that was my world had everything a growing boy could need. School and church were a short sprint from my front door. "Sheenie Hollow", now known as Dwight Davis Park, was the after school and weekend gathering place where we would play indian ball during the spring and summer, then soccer and tackle football in the fall and winter. Walnut Park Public School hosted Park and Recreation programs in the summers. I think I wove my first potholder on that playground.

There was a variety of local businesses in the neighborhood to provide life's necessities. The two nearest grocery stores to our house were Klatt Brothers Tomboy on Riverview between Lucille and Thekla. The other was Oldani's Market at the intersection of Emma and Park Lane. My mother dealt exclusively with Klatt Brothers because they were German. She didn't feel comfortable dealing with an "Eye-talian".

Saturday mornings were always a treat because we would have baked goods from Ellerbrock's Bakery: gooey butter cakes, coffee cakes, danish, donuts, hot cross buns in Lent, and fresh bread that they would slice before your very eyes. There was a "dry goods" store next to the bakery, a bar, and Riverview Dry Cleaners where I was sent weekly to pick up my father's starched and pressed dress shirts. Farther up the block was a TV repair shop and a shoe store and repair shop where I got all my PF Flyers in basic black with the round rubber seal at the ankle bone. The shoe repair man was always friendly and didn't mind if we watched him perform his work at the big green machine with humming electric motors and the belt driven devices of his trade.

I could be at the ticket window of the Rio Theatre in under sixty seconds. For 25 cents I could enjoy the Saturday matinee of cartoons, short features, and a full length film, frequently it was some variation on Tarzan, or a good "oater". The highlight of the spring matinee season was the appearance of the Duncan Yoyo man who would amaze us with his dexterity and the skill with which he controlled his yoyo. No one ever told us this, but we always assumed the Yoyo Man was Philipino, which made him doubly mysterious.

Interesting people and things passed by the front porch of my house. A circus parade came down Riverview one day. It was a parade to me, but it was probably just them getting from wherever the train stopped to Public School Stadium. Not many kids get to see an elephant walk past their house. Because the Korean War was still going, lots of military hardware would pass in front of my viewing stand. I saw artillery pieces, jeeps, and even a tank heading toward a railroad yard for eventual transportation overseas.

I remember some colorful people also. At the top of the list would be "Fritz the Wino" who lived diagonally across Riverview from us. Fritz was always pleasant in the daylight when my friends and I would pass his house to and from school. He'd let us see his latest litter of puppies or give us a duck egg from his pen in the back yard. But when nightfall came Fritz would get liquored up and raise hell. He introduced me to words I had never heard before. Police were frequent visitors to the curb in front of Fritz's house. I think he got a little violent with his women friends. One of my buddies said he saw Fritz shove a puppy between the bars of a storm water drain cover.

There was a family who lived in an apartment above Grace's Rio Bar, on the corner of Riverview and Emma. They had a grown son who suffered from some kind of mental deficiency. He was kept upstairs in the apartment all the time except on a couple of occasions when he slipped outside. He apparently was not fond of wearing clothes. Once I saw him stark naked riding a bicycle while wearing an accordion. I don't know if he played or not.

There was a blind man who would walk the streets of the neighborhood while playing a clarinet, in hope that someone would come out to the sidewalk and put a coin or two into his tin cup. The only song I ever heard him play was "On Mockingbird Hill". He played it well, but he played it incessantly.

We had the straaaaaaaawberry guys in the spring, we'd get door-to-door salesmen for vacuum sweepers, the Fuller Brush Man made regular calls, and the "rag-picker" with the swayed-back horse and cart would travel the alleys of the neighborhood. At Christmas time carolers would sing on the front porch. Anybody carol from door-to-door recently?

Alleys and ashpits were an endless source of entertainment. Ashpits were a great hideout when playing cops and robbers or cowboys and indians. We'd play a variation on corkball in the alley. Bottlecaps were the ball and a broomstick was the bat. It was great fun.

The most idyllic days of my life were spent in the Walnut Park neighborhood. In 1959 we moved to Florissant, to a subdivision with houses that all looked alike. That was the last time I ever saw anything interesting on the street in front of my house.
Post from Wayne R. (2/3/2009)
I noticed a post from 2007 where a reader mentoned Star Gas Stations in Saint Louis. I knew Star Gas Stations very well. The chain was owned by two of my great uncles --- George and Ullis Gudder. The chains were closed in 1981, shortly after George passed away, although Ullis lived until 1988.

And here is one that I'm still laughing about over 40 years later. Ullis Gudder, who owned over 140 Star Gas Stations with his brother George --- Back in 1967, he had some modifications made to the premium gas engine on his Oldsmobile 88, so that it could run on regular gasoline. Like he couldn't afford premium gas.

That same year --- 1967 --- Ullis sold a house on Alexander Drive (near Washington University) for $32,000. Try to buy a house on that block
Post from Tony C (2/3/2009)
Are there any folks that remember when St .Louis no longer had ash pits and started having trash truck collections? My memories of early 50s south St. Louis was trash was picked up by 1930s and 40s grey cab over engine White trucks with Leach rear loaded compacters. Also does any body remember Public Service buses that were not the usual GMC buses? The 80 South Hampton line ran some Mack buses back then.
Post from Larry Eder (2/3/2009)
It was great to hear from Walt Klein. I did not know him, but I grew up in Walnut Park during the 50's as well. Lived on Gilmore and spent summers on the Walnut Park Playground. I remember all the places he talked about. Another highlight was Rich's frozen custard at Riverview and Thekla. He had a heart attack and worked for UE, so he retired and opened the ice cream place. Just up the street was Struggles conf, They were not too patient with the kids. A small wooden Conf named Mom and Pops on riverview was nicer to the kids buying penny candy. remember " I want one of this, two of those, and five of that"
Post from Peter Ellermann(2/3/2009)
I grew up in Maplewood, went Maplewood Richmond Heights Junior and Senior High, graduated in 1975. Dad bought the house on Moller Avenue for two reasons: it had a 6-car garage and it was one door away from Immaculate Conception Church and school. The railroad tracks were at the end of our street. We hopped trains when we could get away with it. I remember when White Castles opened and they had a special for 6 burgers for a buck. My brothers and I gorged that weekend. As a senior in High School I dated a girl from Webster High. Just before the Turkey Day Game I showed up to say hello to my girl but I was wearing a red wool jacket, which happened to be the Kirkwood colors. Classroom sprung open by some secret and soundless relay system and the next thing we knew we were being chased by Webster High School Seniors out of the school and into the parking lot.
Post from Wayne R. (2/9/2009)
Going through some of the early posts in 2008, I came cross one asking who remembered the Chicken Cottage on Kienlen. I do remember the Chicken Cottage, and I remember that it was on Kienlen.

For some reason I recall the family pitching in and buying my father his supper there on Father's Day in 1964. (Sunday, June 21, to be exact.)

Yes, their chicken was delicious, and back in those days it was still a safe neighborhood.

We rode out to the Chicken Cottage in the 1963 Buick LeSabre that my father purchased brand new in April 1963 for approximately $2,900 from Burns Buick on Big Bend. He complained what a ridiculous price that was to pay for a new car. But I'd say that he got his moneys worth. I drove that car until July 1995, when the transmission finally gave out.

Strange how you can start talking about one memory from the old days, and the next thing you know it has you thinking about another one!
Post from Sandy Krshul Robine (2/11/2009)
When I saw this "2943" it grabbed me to open it and take a "look see". Well, my paternal grandmother (Veronica Brynac Krshul) lived in, or close to, this same block of Chouteau Avenue when she came here as a young girl with her family from Yugoslavia (through Ellis Island). She was born in 1896 and she lived on Chouteau when she was about 7 years old. When I was a little girl, she told me how her mother would send her out with a bucket to pick coal off the RR tracks so they could heat their home with it. Well, she met my grandfather, Ralph (Rafael) Krshul and was married in about 1912 at St. Joseph Croation Church at 12th and Russell Aves. She was 16 and he was about 26, or so. Well, by the time grandpa died in March of 1949, they owned a 160 acre farm in Brynesville, MO, a beautiful home that grandpa built himself in 1929. It was 4659 Seibert Ave. They also owned a rental duplex at 9427-29 Alpine (that I own today and rent to Concordia Seminary students - I also lived there when I was born in 1947). 2 rental houses on Hildesheim, 2 other rental houses on Seibert, a building lot in Sunset Hills and a restaurant in Affton at 9012 Gravois Rd. that was called Al's Tavern. I can't even imagine how hard they worked to achieve this in 37 years, with 3 kids and with no government check to get started on. They, like all of our immigrant ancesters, had to learn the language and study for their citizenship and they did it! God bless them!!!

Oh, by the way, Grandma and Grandpa's villages were 4 miles apart in Yugoslavia but they didn't meet until they were in St. Louis. I have so much respect for those two. My grandpa died just days before my 2nd birthday; but I can remember him and the smell of his cigar. He nicknamed me Snookie as soon as he saw me. He had nicknames for most every woman in the family.

Our restaurant, Al's, was a family owned and operated restaurant with great fried chicken and steaks. Anyone that brags about Hodak's having the BEST fried chicken of all time in South St. Louis (and I agree that it is good but not the best of all time) had never eaten at Al's anytime from about 1934 - 1967 while we were in operation. My grandmother did all the cooking and my mom began to help when she married my dad in 1939 at St. George Catholic Church. We were closed during the years my dad was overseas during WWII 1943-1945. My grandmother developed a heart condition and was no longer able to work after 1963 or so. My mom was THE cook until the spring of 1967 when we sold the building. It is now the Pasta House in Affton. I love to go there and tell them their ladies room used to be my bedroom. You see we built living quarters on the backside of the building along with a rathskeller for private parties and meetings in about 1951 and that is where mom, dad and I lived until we sold it. Then we moved BACK to 9429 Alpine. The duplex my grandparents bought so many years before. A sidenote - For a few years in the 60's my dad also leased a tavern at Spring and Wyoming called THE KRSHUL'S. It was known as Mel's Tavern prior to that.

After 41 years of marriage my dad divorced my mom in 1980. He married the lady (that he dated since at least 1963) in 1982 and they moved to Texas when she retired from the phone company where she had 40 years of service.

I am now married to the best husband in the world for me and we live in Warrenton, MO. Someday it would be great fun to write a book of my memiors. Well, maybe not! We have been married for 11 years and have a wonderful blended family. I have one beautiful daughter and he has two beautiful daughters. They are all married. A granddaughter from my side and 2 granddaughters from his youngest daughter.

Oh, back to Al's - in my entries in your "memories" website, I had asked for anyone to contact me that had any happy memories of times spent at our restaurant. Back in the 50's it was almost a weekly event to have a wedding "fried chicken breakfast" at our restaurant following a wedding at St. George or Seven Holy Founders Catholic churches. I have had many people tell me that when they came on Saturday nights to dance to live music at Al's they met their husband or wife. We were the meeting place of Gravois Kiwanis and Concord Village Lions clubs. Wonderful guys, all of them!

My dad's sister, owned and operated Lake Hill Speedway too. His younger sister worked many years as a waitress - many of those years for Al's. She also used to sing professionally around St. Louis in the 30's and 40's. She also performed at local clubs in those days with a male dance partner. They would do mostly ballroom type dances. I remember her telling me that a Gene Darr was one of her favorites to dance with. She never pursued her singing career as her mother discouraged her from doing so.

Well, so much for the short "Hi Dave" email. My dad was quite the character. Can't say that I respected alot of the things he did; but I'm not proud of many of the things I've done either. So forgiveness abounds and to God be the glory! There are many more stories in the city that never sleeps - oh wait that is Guy Noir stuff from Garrison Keillor.

Keep up the great work on this website and 'THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES".
Post from South Dade Gary (2/11/2009)
I thought I was the only one who remembered Food Center. Same old routine every week, dad cashes check, goes shopping. One day, they say there will be a 10 cent charge for payroll checks. Dad yanks family out of Food Center and heads to the new Schnucks on West Florissant and Chambers. " Hell, they get half my check already, why do they need 10 cents more. " My dad was a man of principles but I swear we were boycotting half the business` in Ferguson. Guess he wasn`t alone, shortly after Food Center became National.

It`s actually on the corner of Hereford and Florissant. Old St louis tradition of naming same street multiple names. Airport, Hereford and then Chambers all the same street.

Doc Johnson patched me up numerous times. Broken arm, dog bite and many stitches over the years. Imagine going to a regular Dr office nowadays and having something like those done in the office? To be quite honest I`m surprised the maladies didn`t heal themselves as long as you had to wait in his practice.

Do you remember the coins in the sidewalk when you entered Gasens next door. We got chased by the pharmacist trying to pry them out.

How about Fulbrights on the corner of Church St. Up from it Scotts Market and the hobby shop And Dickens Sporting Goods and Seymours Shoes On Florissant.

And what was with all the hardware stores? Just down by Ludholtz, Biermanns up by the bus loop and Ferguson Hardware on Church. And two dimestores across the street from eah other on top of that.

Sister Baptista had us sing Sidewalks Of New York every time Monsignor Dames entered our classroom. He either liked the song or he was bored to death cause it seems he was visiting all the time. It got us out of classwork a lot, he`d come in sit down and rattle on for hours it seemed.

First time post. I, like that old priest, will return and rattle on about the past that was Ferguson.
Post Kent Forrest (2/11/2009)
Reading these memories prompted these of my own:
One of my earliest memories was waiting for the milk wagon (with horse) to deliver our milk. All the neighborhood kids would crowd around asking the driver for chips of ice to chew on in the summer time. Sometimes my father would "clip" the White Castle coupons out of the Post and take us all out for a "feast" - 6 burgers for 25 cents!. I never had a toy with a battery as a child. Cap guns went "bang" whenever I yelled it. I also stood outside my friends house and yelled their names when I wanted to play with them. My friends and I explored every "ash-pit" in the hood for hidden treasures on trash day pickup. Saturdays often had double or triple features at the local show. For a quarter (you could literally stay the whole day and I often did since it was the only place with air conditioning.) My allowance as a child was a nickel and when paid I would rush to the 5 & 10 store to make a purchase. No one ever thought to tell a child to be careful when they went out to play. I lived only a couple of blocks from the ball park but I was never taken to a game. I vaguely remember the "race riots" in north St. Louis in the early 50's over the use of the swimming pool by blacks. Shortly thereafter my parents moved to south St. Louis to avoid "problems."
Post from ??? (2/11/2009)
I was born in the 30's grew up in St Edwards and later Notre Dame parish. Graduated from Notre Dame Grade school in 1946 and McBride High in 1950.
We lived on the 5884 Highland, 5906 Highland and 5976 Kennerly, Still in the city limits.
I remember the ice man and the coal man. and the card that was put up in the window, to tell the ice man how much ice you needed for that day.
I remember there was a Tom Boy Food Store on the corner of Highland and Hamilton. Also I remember Beans' tavern and confectionary store across the street on Hamilton.
I remember a German Bakery on Hamilton named Vortmiers great "bread ends"
I remember our phone number was Colfax 1681.
In the 40's I remember practicing soccer and baseball at the American Legion Post 154 , across from the Legion we called the undeveloped land the "Pasture"
I remember on the Corner of Lotus and Hodiamont was Hummel's Market and on Lotus next to street car tracks was the Myers Confectionary, our hangout!
Across the street car tracks heading up the hill on Lotus on the North side was McDermott's Filling station and farther up toward Kienlen Ave. was office of Dr Jim and Earl Hicks.I remember Wellston City Hall and the Mayor Leo Hayes.
I remember the Mikado and later the Victory theater, and walking home about 10PM at night without a problem.
Post from Wayne R. (2/11/2009)
Wanted to add my two cents to some of the posts from 2007 and 2008:

Several people mentioned having Mrs. Freer for their fourth grade teacher at Horace Mann School . I never attended Horace Mann School , and I never knew Mrs. Freer. However, I've heard a lot about her. I've been bowling with her son for over 10 years, and bowling with her daughter for two years. This past Monday night, I was talking to Mrs. Freer's son and daughter at the bowling alley. Although they both read this website, they were unaware that there were any posts about their mother. I guess they just haven't gotten that far yet in reading the posts. After all, there are over eight years worth.

This past summer somebody posted about working for Angelo Pirrone, who owned Angelo's Pizza in Black Jack, and wondered if the people who currently own Pirrone's Pizza may be related to the family.

I went to college with Angelo's son (Tony) from 1968 to 1972. Many times I recall Tony talking about the delicious pizza that his father's restaurant served. But for one reason or another I never got around to going there and trying it out for myself.

After reading the posts on this website, where do you think I ate lunch yesterday? I went to Pirrone's at 1775 Washington Street in Florissant . (Not to be confused with the Washington Street that is in downtown Saint Louis .) I ordered the buffet, which included pizza, pasta, toasted ravioli, salad, and a few other items. The food was quite good.

Before leaving I asked the cashier about whether or not this restaurant was still owned by the Pirrone family. Here is what I was told. Angelo Pirrone retired from the restaurant business in 1989, and he died in 1997. When he retired, the business was taken over by his son Tony. (The one who I went to college with.) Tony has since moved to Italy , and although the restaurant is still called Pirrones, it is no longer owned by the Pirrone family. The person who I talked to believed (although she wasn't absolutely certain) that Angelo's Pizza in Black Jack is now owned by Angelo Pirrone's daughter. Rosa

Sometime in the near future I intend to stop by and eat at Angelo's Pizza. Hopefully, I will get some good food there, and see what I can learn about who is the current owner.
Post from Wayne R. (2/17/2009)
Earlier this week I put in a post about Pirrone's Restaurant, and promised to follw up with some information about Angelo's Pizzeria, just as soon as I had a chance to eat there. Well, I had lunch there today.

Here is what I found out about Angelo's Pizzeria. It was opened in Florissant in 1969 by Angelo Pirrone. In 1974 it moved to its current location on Parker Road in Black Jack. The restaurant is now owned by Angelo Pirrone's daughter (Lisa) and son-in-law (Mike). Their pizza recipe is the same one that Angelo Pirrone developed for the restaurant in 1969.

Both the pizza and the salad were excellent. And you get big portions. Either be very hungry when you come, or else be willing to take some of the food home. And while you're there, you may also have some interesting discussions with the employees about North Saint Louis County History.
Post from Mike Fogarty (2/17/2009)
Boy do I remember the "old" days in Ferguson....I'm talking mainly from 1963 to 1968....after that I moved to Velda Village and retained many of my good friends from the Old "Dade Park Gang"....I call our group that because we hung out a lot at Dade Park on Dade & Graf avenues.....We played sand lot baseball, football, basketball, and tennis...We saved our Wiffle Ball tournaments at Jim & Bills backyard....great times.

We were a group of guys who were all about the same age and went to school and hung out together....Mike (me), Gary, Jim, Bill, Charlie, Bob, Don, Mark, Fred, Bruce, Paul (older) and others......

From Cool Valley Grade school....yes they bussed us there....to Ferguson Jr. High....To McCluer H.S....anyone who went to Ferguson Jr. High will no doubt remember Mr. Ferguson, the Assistant Principal who roamed the halls making sure we tucked our shirts in and acted like gentlemen....Adjoining Ferguson Jr.High was the January-Wabash Park....a nice lake for fishing for small fish and crawdads....swimming pool.....and every now & then a concert in the park....Michael McDonald, who was a couple of years older than us played there as well as going to the school.....

Most of us lived in the same area and lived on Dade, Plaza, Mueller, Suburban, Graf avenues....On the corner of Dade and North, there was the Mueller Farm and some of us picked strawberries there for $.35 cents per hour.......and sometimes on Halloween some of our group made it a habit to go there and knock the outhouse over for a prank....On the same corner, we used to catch the old Dade Ave. bus...10 cents for a complete ride.....(If you got on at Dade Ave., and got off somewhere else, you could get back on and complete your journey back to Dade Ave).....We used to take the Dade Ave. bus to downtown Ferguson and either go to the bowling alley.(Ferguson Lanes) or to the ever popular SAVOY theatre....It costs 12 cents to get in, 15 cents for a big popcorn, and 10 cents for a soda......Imagine...47 cents for the bus, show, and concessions...(now you know why we picked strawberries)....and many times there were double features....and always the serials...(Flash Gorden--Hopalong Cassidy, etc.).....We saw The Alamo w/John Wayne when it first came out, and on one Friday night we went and saw the BLOB w/Steve McQueen...and it scared the crap out of us....The bowling alley was 10 cents a game and 10 cents for the shoe rental...and I remember the cigarette machine there costing 25 cents a pack....

I lived at 301 Plaza Ave., and the phone number was JAckson 43339....We had a coal furnace...regular coal deliveries in to a chute that went into the basement....and one of my jobs for my allowance (25 CENTS PER WEEK) was to stoke the fire and remove the remnants of the coal (I called them clunkers) and put in new coal as needed.....I remember the ice cream truck (Mr. Softee)...The man who sold ice by the block...(We did not have air conditioning at our house and my dad used to get a couple of blocks of ice and put them in a big wash tub...and then turn on a fan to blow over the ice....You would be surprised to know how cool the air got...and I remember us kids fumping on the back of the ice truck with screwdrivers chipping at the ice as he drove down the street....We had a guy that would canvass the neighborhood soliciting anyone who needed anything sharpened...scissors, knives, lawn mower blades..(yep--the push kind of mower)....and a vegetable truck with a guy selling his veggies, as well as a milk man........And there was even a man who went door to door selling Irish Sweepstakes Tickets......

We used to go to the Kienstra cement property on Florissant Rd. (on weekends when no one was working there) across the street from the Gasen Drug store/Dr. Office/Subway tavern....to start and drive their big cement trucks.....imagine a few 12 year olds with cement trucks....

We used to hang out at Florissant Rd. and Suburban Ave. at Dairy Queen....Mannios....Monterey's (It's the Golden Greek now)...St. Johns Liquor (sometimes we got lucky and got someone to get beer for us)...Mike Clayton's Barbershop....50 cents for a haircut....flat tops, butch wax, and the ever popular "Hollywood"....flat top on top and long on the sides so you could have a "duck tail" in the rear....and Leisure Drugs...we used to go there and help ourselves to a free copy of Playboy....and then we would go to Maline Creek and hang out...smoke our cigarettes...drink beer....and look at the Playboys.......This was before Boy Scouts and Khoury League...

There was a small neighborhood confectionary on the corner of Dade and Graf....16 oz. Pepsi bottle was 5 cents plus 2 cents deposit on the bottle...and the guy who owned and ran it was an older man named Fred Murtz...like on "I Love Lucy"...used to call everyone "Kiddo".....

Ferguson had the Universal Match Company....and they would blow the very loud whistle at 8pm nightly to end the lunch hour for the evening workers....and that is something I learned to live with because I was allowed to stay out until 8pm during the week, and when that whistle went off....I hightailed it home or paid the price for violating my curfew......This did not count on Thursday nights as that was Movies in the Park night at the Dade Ave. park and I was allowed to stay until the movies were over......

Well....that's enough for now.....Thanks for reading my fond memories of childhood in Ferguson with "THE DADE PARK GANG".
Post from Toni (2/17/2009)
just found your website.
i am looking for a photo (not an aerial shot) of crestwood plaza in 1959.
i went to lindbergh high when we moved to crestwood.
it is where we hung out and i want to share it with my grandsons.
also looking for a photo of st. aloysius gonzaga catholic church and school.
before the destruction.
this is where i went to elementary school.
lived a block away till 1958.
if you can direct me anywhere i'd appreciate it.
did you teach web stuff for scorcc a few years back???
ps.....went to crestwood city hall. no help.

Post from Lynn - Michigan (2/17/2009)
In regards to Wayne R's post….I had Mrs. Freer for 8th grade at Horace Mann. I was so thrilled to see you mention her and that you had told her son & daughter she was mentioned on this site. That dear woman was the best Teacher I ever had. My memories of 8th grade are among my sweetest and Mrs. Freer was a big part of the reason why. She was not only an excellent Teacher, but she was funny, fun, loving, supportive and made me (and every other kid) feel special. She encouraged our gifts and lovingly supported us through our mistakes. I know her family must be so proud of her. She was truly one of St. Louis' finest. Among the many gifts she gave me was my 1st copy of "To Kill a Mockingbird." She handed it to me and told me she thought I'd like it. I wore it out. Literally, the pages fell out of it. To this day it remains my favorite book and I am now on my 4th copy. Every time I pick it up to read..I think of her. What a great, great Lady.
Post from pkn (2/24/2009)
Who remembers Miss Michel from Scullin School? No one left her 8th grade class not knowing how to crochet.... yes, the boys too. She had to be the best teacher.... ever. I still use the things she taught us.... oh sure the regular things you learm in 8th grade, but all the other stuff she brought to class too She was so unique.
Post from Karen (2/28/2009)
I am the niece of Willie Decker, he was like a "rock star" back then for many reasons. Well known in South St Louis around South Broadway.He was like Robin Hood, if you know what I mean..... One word for the girls SPOOLIES!
Post from Teresa (2/28/2009)
Does anyone know who Biggies was in the STAN MUSIAL & BIGGIES RESTAURANT?
Post from Mary Ansel - [email protected] (3/7/2009)
Thanks for the info. on the Barracks! I do remember the Chitwood and Wessels families. I attended school with a Wessels girl, both at St. Bernadette School in the Barracks and later, St. John's Hospital School of Nursing. The Jefferson Barracks civilian community was a world unto itself. I suspect that some people in St. Louis at that time had no idea that it existed as such. Visiting the former site of my home nowadays has a surreal quality!
Post from Lynn - Michigan (3/7/2009)
I remember "Spoolies." Anyhow, I think I do. Weren't those when we gals would take an empty thread spool. Put tiny nails in it and make those long ropes of yarn? Mine went forever! Also made the long chains from gum wrappers. Many a slumber party wound us girls sitting on the floor and bed, cross-legged working on our gum wrapper and spoolie chains.

The poster who mentioned the teacher who taught the girls to crochet sure brought back memories. Miss Clark in 6th grade at Horace Mann taught all of girls to make "Hook Towels." As I recall, it was a sort of embroidery. Miss Burkhart in 5th grade taught us how to play Jacks and even held tournaments. The boys played marbles. Can you imagine that today? No way.

In 8th grade, my class left Mann every Thursday and WALKED to Rose Fanning for Home Ec and the boys Shop Class. We were trusted to walk there and back. I don't recall a single problem. I was taught basic cooking skills that I still use today. We made a skirt and blouse too. I'm not even sure Home Ec classes exist today.
Post from Michael Plank (3/7/2009)
I Love your site. I am 46 and grew up near Wentzville, but I remember my parents ( both 80 and doing great), talking about the good old days. I have lived in the city for 15 years and purchased a home in Dutchtown area ( Mount Pleasant Portion) , on North Dakota. North Dakota is only 2 blocks long. I have the only little white frame house on the 2 blocks, and would love to know if anyone has any memories of this house, street, or neighborhood.
Post from ???? (3/7/2009)
I grew up in Hanley Hills in the 50’s and early 60’s. In the shopping center I remember a Sands Drugs, barber shop, gift shop, Food Center, a gun shop, a Velvet Freeze, Ben Franklin dime store, Webb’s Shoe Store, and a hardware store. North on Hanley there was a Strnad’s Drug store. Does anybody remember the Bounceland trampoline center? I also remember Eddie’s Cafateria in the Wellston Loop. Wellston Bowl, Silver Shield Bowl, Embassy Bowl, Arcade Lanes, Bowl-A-Rama, Northland Lanes.
Post from Sharon G. (3/7/2009)
Oh my gosh...I love reading all of these. I have so many wonderful memories of the old stomping ground. There are just so many things I have to try to name a few. Growing up in South St. Louis really was awesome. I live in northeast Arkansas now and do not get back to St.Louis enough. Even if I did it would not be the same. I was born and lived in the city until '88. I grew up on Louisiana near Gravois Park and the wonderful Cherokee Street. (My best friend lived on Cherokee.) Lived summers at the park playing kickball, volleyball, learning to dance at Marquette Park. Swimming at Marquette Pool too! I remember the Old St. Anthony's Hospital on Chippewa & Grand always looked spooky to me. I had a friend break a couple of ribs while trying to jump the old black wrought iron fence. After I grew up I went to work at the St. Anthony's Hospital in South County. I went to Froebel School and 8th grade graduation was in '74. Our field trip was to the Admiral. I had friends at St. Pius V and always went to their school picnics. I graduated from Roosevelt in ''78 (actually Jan '79--because of my wilder days lol)

My mom worked at the JC Penney on Cherokee and I remember going with my dad to pick her up and the Casaloma Ballroom would be in full swing. Ladies all dressed up and the music was loud enough to hear it in the car. That was most definitely a more simple time in life.

I remember White Castle...My first job!
Buying 45 records at Woolworth on Cherokee
Then later at Peaches Records & Tapes
Jack -in-the-Box
Dad's Cookie (I lived next door to them until I was in the 2nd grade..A tavern was on the corner also.
Taking coupons to Kristoff market to cash them in along with glass soda bottles.
Christmas lights downtown and Famous-Barr Santaland and Christmas shopping there when I was a teenager.
My sister and I would go every year, ride the bus, eat out shop and have fun...She passed away in 1979.. :(
Velvet Freeze..
IMO's Pizza
Blues Hockey games
Concrete light posts
Walking my dog late at night by myself when I was a kid!
Grandview Resturant
Highlands school picnics
Cardinal tickets for straight A's
Prospect phone numbers...
sitting in the movie theatre all Sunday afternoon for one price
rollerskating all night on Gravois...I forgot the name
I could keep writing but I will stop we all had it great being able to leave the house early in the summer and playing all day and hanging out with friends, being home by dark. Riding bikes, playing corkball in the alleys and the good memories go on and on.
Post from Michigan (3/7/2009)
Spoolies! I remember Spoolies! Used to sleep in them in a futile attempt to put some curl in my hair. Anyone else remember making chains out of gum wrappers? We carried them around with us so we could work on them at any given time. We chewed a lot of gum. I can recall slumbers parties where we girls would sit and work on our gum wrapper chains while we talked. How about taking an empty thread spool, nailing 4 tiny nails in it and using yard to make a sort of crocheted rope? I did that. Was I the only one?
Post from Gloria (3/7/2009)
I had to think a while on the "spoolies". I remember them now. What we wouldn't do for curly hair.

I was reading an article on AOL about places we ate at years ago. I remember the restaurants and lunch counters at Woolworths, Kresges , I totally forgot about the restaurant in Walgreens and Schnucks.

On the gone but not forgotten list was Howard Johnson's, Burger Chef, Shoney's and Po-Folks.

I miss the Trio restaurant near Natural Bridge and Brown Road.

Now that we are in Lent and the fish fry's are upon us I favor the food at Holy Trinity Church in St. Ann's, of course the American Legion fish fry on Midland is almost as good.
Post from Jim Duban (who received these images from Marty Luepker) (3/7/2009)

From 1944...

Post from Gloria (3/8/2009)
I grew up in Hanley Hills also in the 50's and 60's. It was such a nice little neighborhood. You could walk to the shopping center, get a bus to shop in Wellston. Do you remember Knobbe's restaurant on Page?

I remember the drug store on Hanley and Alert, they even had a lunch counter. I can't remember the name of the drug store at Page and Midland, they use to deliver, one day my sister and I called and placed an order for delivery for three dollars worth of candy and they actually delivered it to our house, little did we know that we had to pay for the candy. Do you know how many strips of button candy you could get for seventy five cents or Halloween wax gum whistles?

I belonged to a couples league at Embassy Bowling Alley , Bowl-A-Rama is now a show place for Antique Cars. My husband was on a men's league at Bowl A Rama, every Friday night.

The first bowling alley I ever went to was one on Hodiamont Avenue just north of Bartmer with my Dad. At that time they had the people who actually set the bowling pins up. On Sundays we would walk from Maple Ave. to Bartmer cross the railroad crossing on Bartmer (I knew that the minute I stepped onto those tracks the gates were sure to come down on me) my aunt and uncle would take my arms and legs and force me across the tracks, that is why they never wanted me to tag along, but my sweet grandmother made them take me with them.

I can't imagine walking around Hodiamont or even Hanley Hills today. Actually I don't even drive in those areas now.

Post from Jim Keith (3/8/2009)
Hey Dave and all the St. Louis Memory Fans,
I was thinking the other day, folks have certain memories and mementos from their younger days.
I know on your Memories section you have two HALF STUBS from the old Ritz Theater, and for the life of me, I thought those were MY stubs, but, memory has faded and I have searched, so maybe I just THOUGHT they were mine.
But, I am more than certain that young folks way back when, SAVED certain ticket stubs from their first dates, etc.....and they have them in scrap books somewhere.............my wife has her stubs from the Elvis show back in the 60's.
What I would love to do....as I have time and as folks want to participate, if they could scan their old stubs.....from St. Louis area theaters going way back. Maybe even recall the name of the movie would be great as well.
Email the scanned image to me and a little story about that stub, that date, that event that MUST have been special for them, special enough to have saved them after all these years.
Just an idea, if others have thoughts or ideas.....be more than happy to email/discuss this project.......
I feel certain, there are old and wonderful memories...in that little old ticket stub.
email direct : [email protected] or go to www.plainlabelfamily.com
Post from ????? (3/9/2009)
My Mom (Karen Gilles/Manning), My aunt (Sandy Gilles/Skillington) and My uncle (Tony Skillington) all worked at the Trio restaurant near Natural Bridge. I rember going with my dad to her up and getting a burger and a cherry coke.
Post from Diane and Nita (3/9/2009)
We stomped the Jefferson / Gravois area of St. Louis.
We remember Gravois Show, seeing Hitchcock's The Birds and it was so scary walking home.
Tuesday night was quarter night.
Can you believe we were able to go to a show on a school night ? And we walked after dark ?
Benton Park on Arsenal and Jefferson.
Gert and Pop's ( Gert and Frank Messner ) store on Wisconsin and Arsenal.
Cheeks' Store on Arsenal owned by Robert and Naomi Cheeks.
Naomi and young son were killed in an auto accident Memorial Day week-end abt. 1963.
The entire community felt the loss.
Rexall Drug's on Lemp and Arsenal had the best fountain sodas.
You could make a phone call in one of many wooden booths lined along the wall.
Walking on the brick streets before they were asphalt paved, passing by Lemp Brewery, on the way to Dr. Leroy Ellison's office to get our polio vaccine.
We walked to school every day to nearby Fremont School.
Frank the mail man would share pastries with us on Saturday morning, as we walked along with him on his mail route. He always brought extra. Cherokee St. especially during Christmas when the entire street was decorated and Christmas music was on every block.
Glaser's Drugs, and Santa on the upper floor.
I saw another memory about Tony the Scissors man .
I remember him well .... he must have covered alot of territory !
How about California Donuts on Jefferson and Pestalozzi ?
How about Giegerich Pretzel's ?
Mom and dad shopped at Cook's Store on Shenandoah, where they would announce, we spent 25 dollars this week ! Campbell Soups were 10 for a dollar !
The fried shrimp smell from Baumann's on McNair.
Ebenezer Church on McNair Ave. changed it's name to Epiphany Church.
We sang in the Christmas Choir.
Following the mosquito spray truck .... was that wise ?
My best friend then, is my best friend today !
We share our memories with many children and grandchildren !
Post from Wayne R (3/9/2009)
I saw in Gloria’s post where she said that her husband bowled on a Friday Night league at Bowl-A-Rama. So did my father. He bowled on a Friday night men’s league at Bowl-A-Rama from 1968 to 1970. For about five years prior to that he bowled on a Wednesday night men’s league at Bowl-A-Rama. Not sure why he switched from Wednesdays to Fridays. My brother bowled on a Sunday morning men’s league at Bowl-A-Rama until around 1980 or so.

I still remember Bowl-A-Rama’s manager---Harvey Herman. He was their manager for over 20 years. In fact I believe that both Tropicana Lanes and Bowl-A-Rama lanes opened within a few weeks of each other in the Summer of 1959.

Other bowling lanes that I sometimes bowled at during the 1960’s included Embassy Lanes (closed in 1984), Silver Shield (burned down sometime in the 1970’s), Arcade Lanes (burned down earlier this decade), Nelson Burton Lanes (now called Olivette Lanes), Strike & Spare Lanes (you can still find me there on Mondays and Saturdays), and Airport Bowl (closed in 1994).

Speaking of bowling, have any of you noticed how bowling averages today are much higher than they where back in the old days? In 1952 Don Carter carried the world’s highest average with a 205. Today there are 16 year old high school league bowlers who carry a higher aver than that. The reasons for this are really a topic in itself.

On another topic, I really like the picture and the menu from the Bevo Mill in 1944. Wouldn’t it be great if we could have those prices with today’s salaries?
Post from Karen (3/10/2009)
Spoolies were hair curlers made out of rubber that you wound your hair around then folded the top over the bottom. I think I still have one some where. I guess we used them in the 60s, I have so many movie ticket stubs, I would write the date and name of the movie and who I went with. I saved them all even if it wasn't a memorable date.
Post from The Former Carol Singler - Cleveland Class of 74 (3/18/2009)
Cool Site Dave

HUdson 1-6497

To the people who remember Mr. Adams and Velvet freeze. My Dad Joe Singler was the Mix man who made the ice cream from the early 70's till he retired at the store on Gravois Around the time it closed I think.

Remember 905 beer? And Texas Gas stations

I also remember never having snow days, at St John's Grade school. Everybody walked to school. We lived on Gannett street at the very end of the parish boundary at the time. Maybe a mile away?.

The St. John's school picnic with a parade that lasted forever with coolie hats and banners and crepe paper. It always rained and we all had red streaks of wet crepe paper running down our faces. All the moms were there, sitting with all the relatives because you were related to everybody and none of them worked. The picnic went till midnight with a beer garden. And you walked home after.

Sleding down the hill at the Christy Brick works in the winter and skateboarding down it in Summer

Anybody remember the Donut man who was just like Mr Softee but sold chocolate long johns for a nickel?

No one stayed inside during the spring or summer and you came home for supper when the bell at Bohemian Savings and Loan struck five or when your mom yelled for you out the back door.

Skipping out of church to use your offering money to get a soda in a cup at the drug store next to Bohemian.

That sky writer used to write WEW 77. We watched him from the front lawn

Playing 4 square in the alley and not needing to use chalk to mark the squares.

Watching the kids at Long school at recess from our playground at St. Johns and referring to them as "publics" since they went to a public school. We of course were Catholics because we went to a Catholic school.

100 kids in your kindergarten class with Sister Viola Marie and placing your "rubbers" on your step when it rained

Walking to Cleveland High School some 4 miles a way and not thinking any thing about it. Carrying your books. What's a back pack?

My mom also used a wringer washer and spent all day hanging out the close with clothes props. Slyman brothers on Hampton had one in the window as recent as 3 years ago. Might still be there.

Arlans (where Target is now and the tiniest grocery across the street Bettendorf Rapp then later a Schnucks

Famous Barr and the under ground tunnel from the parking lot to the store, where you could get pretzels for a nickel outside or warm ones for 15 cents in side. And Slushee headaches.

Gasen Drugs next to Kroger and the 1 penny sales they had to get you in the store.

And Last since My husband is off to Mc Donald's for Supper. The first Mc Donald's on Gravois and Hampton where they sold the "All American meal" A hamburger, fries and triple thick milkshake. Who needs super-sized anything.
Post from Gloria (3/21/2009)
This information was in the Post Dispatch today, how sad.

Just two months after Anheuser-Busch donated the historic Bevo Mill to a city agency, the restaurant that leases the whimsical south side windmill has closed its doors.

The apparent shutdown of the historic restaurant leaves City Hall in the awkward position of either leaving the high-profile building vacant or trying to attract a new tenant during a recession — when few restaurants are opening or expanding.

The 92-year-old restaurant, at 4749 Gravois Avenue, was built as a so-called tied house — a restaurant and tavern that sold only the beers brewed by its owner, Anheuser-Busch. August A. Busch Sr. is said to have picked the site at the intersection of Gravois, Delor Street and Morganford Road because it is halfway between the brewery and his home at Grant's Farm.
Post from Wendy Haffner (3/22/2009)
Lots of great stuff!

I remember on Saturdays, my mom shopped at the Tom Boy market on Olive, and she'd take me to Hamburger Heaven afterwards. What a special treat! For those that remember Hamburger Heaven (on Olive in U City, and there was also one on Woodson near Page), the "Secret Sauce" was Brooks BBQ sauce with a little extra sugar added. Seriously!! Shortly before they closed, my sister and I charmed the recipe out of our car hop :) We made our own for years after that. Unfortunately, Brooks BBQ sauce is no longer made.

Does ANYONE have photos of the old Holiday Hill amusement park on Natural Bridge? I went there in grade school. I remember working up the nerve to ride The Bullet -- the big ride with a spinning capsule on each end. I also remember the little train that went through a dark tunnel at some point, and you had to scream. That was the rule, even if you weren't scared.
Post from Gloria (3/28/2009)
I have a few pictures taken at Holiday Hills, I loved the swimming pool there, it was a long walk from the rides.
If I remember correctly, the Tom Boy store was called Pryors and they use to deliver groceries to my grandmothers house,the store was right across the street from Mercy High School and the fire department.
Post from Wayne R. (3/28/2009)
Concerning Wendy’s post of March 22. You said that your mother shopped at Tom Boy on Olive Street Road. So did my mother. Or more accurately, I should say that my mother usually gave me the grocery list, and sent me to Tom Boy to do the shopping. I still remember the lady who worked the cash register, although right now I’m not remembering her name. I believe that she and her husband owned Tom Boys Market.

I lived on Roth Avenue , right around the corner from Olive Street Road at Pennsylvania . Standing in my backyard you could see Tom Boy Market, Dairy Queen, Mercy High School , the Northeastern corner of Heman Park , the fire station, and Hamburger Heaven.

I sure do remember the great sauce that Hamburger Heaven used on their hamburgers and French Fries. You mentioned that the sauce was Brooks BBQ sauce with some extra sugar added. I was once told that it was Maulls BBQ sauce with brown sugar added. However, the person who told me this admitted that he had gotten the information second hand. So I’m inclined to believe that the information you got from a car hop who actually worked there is the correct answer. Not to mention the fact that you tried the recipe and verified the accuracy.

I don’t have any pictures of Holiday Hill, although I was there several times. The first time I recall going there was on May 23, 1962, for our school picnic. Actually, our school picnic was at the Forest Park Highlands on that day. However, my mother decided that they would probably be too crowded. So she decided that we would forget about the real picnic, and instead have our own picnic at Holiday Hill. After that I visited Holiday Hill several more times in the 1960’s and the early 1970’s. I especially used to like to play their miniature golf.
Post from Bobbi (3/28/2009)
My folks used to have slides of our school picnics at Holiday Hill, but they got stolen along with Dad's slide projector back in 1964 when our house was robbed. I do, however, vividly remember Holiday Hill. It was only a few miles from my house and from third grade on, we had all of our grade school picnics there. That was such a HUGE event. I remember my Mom coming, with two of my younger brothers in tow, in their playpen, under the pavilion with all the picnic tables (you had to cross the "train tracks" to get to the pavilion)........along with all of the other non-working Moms and all of their kids. The Moms would always bring fried chicken and potato salad for lunch, but we "grade-schoolers" would always eat from the concession stands. ............the hamburgers and the snow cones!!! My Dad would even come over at lunch time. He worked very close to the area. He would always ride the ferris wheel with me. Wow, that was an all-day event. I rode the Bullet, too, only once. Actually, it was the most "scary" ride at Holiday Hill. The place wasn't big enough for much more, but it was sure a fun place to be. Remember the "Wild Pussycat" and "The Octopus"? Rides were like "one or two tickets" apiece when I was going there, tickets being ten cents each. What a fun time!!!!! Then, after grade school, I would go there on dates. They also had a pool, a miniature golf course and batting cages. The date would always end either at Trio or Tote's big Boy, both drive-in restaurants. Man, that brings back some great memories. Now it's all gone.
Post from pkn (3/28/2009)
I saw Famous Barr mentioned and wondered if anyone remembers the playroom there. Kids played while mothers shopped.... innovative. Hmmmmm or was it Stix?
Does anyone remember Johnny Kaufman's vegetable truck that went up and down alleys selling very good produce.... especially in the summer?
Love all the memories everyone posts
Post from pkn (4/3/2009)
pkn remembers the playroom at Famous or Stix. I remember it too. The restroom had tiny toilets installed close to the ground!
Post from Lou @ [email protected] (4/4/2009)
I lived in South St. Louis, until 1946 at 2218 Missouri Ave. in a two story flat, between McKinley High and Charless Grade School. Then we moved to the country, Overland Mo. I think those of us who grew up in the 40’s & 50’s were some of the luckiest people around. Oh what memories.

I loved going on the Admiral, the ladies restroom’s (on the ballroom floor) were all named after movie stars, and oh, so elegant, Jane Withers, Shirley Temple, Sonja Heine , Loretta Young and I think 2 others. Big Bands & Dress up clothes at night, casual for the day trips.

Famous Barr Christmas windows and parties, Stix Barer & Fuller, The Candy Kitchen on Russell, Tower Grove Park, Forest Park Highlands, (the Comet, Flying Turns and of course the carosouel which is now at Faust Park) The Arena Roller Skating Rink, The Veiled Prophet Parade with the Queen of Love and Beauty, Cherokee Street and all it’s stores, Carson Union May Stern (the big furniture store of the 40’s) Sears on Kingshighway, the Circus, the ladies Softball games down off Grand Ave. the Fox & St. Louis Theaters, having your pic. taken on the sidewalk with your date on Grand Ave. (by the Fox), the Parkmour Restaurant, Chain of Rocks Amusement Park, over looking the river, Sportman’s Park, Hodges Chili Parlor, Our Redeemer Luth Church on Utah & Oregon (beautiful), sleeping on the porch or in the park on muggy hot summer nights. Playing tag in the streets, hide and seek, calling your friends to come out at the top of your lungs, Mom calling you in for dinner at the top of hers. Tin cans (walking with tin cans on your feet) step ball, playing “jack’s “ on the stoop, seeing your mom scrub the tiled front stoop every day, big trees and sidewalks to run and play hop-scotch on. Being told by your Mom to stay away from the ash pits and out of the alley’s. Corner bakeries and neighbors speaking to one another, actually spending evenings together.

W.W. 2 banners in every window on the block, collecting rubber & tin for the war effort, making our own “Butter” with the little yellow button you used to mix in and make ( probably lard) look like butter., Remember “mills”, I still have a blue one. Does anyone remember the “shorts burglar” ? from So. St. Louis. During the war, jobs were scarce, and my Mom used to feed “bums” on our back porch stairs. They always did something to earn that meal. Clean Ash pits, garages, what ever they could, Union Station, oh how sad today, it doesn’t look anything like it did in the glory days. Layffette Park, Hyde Park, the Starlight ballroom at the Chase Park Plaza, Anheisuer Bush, so Good Potato chip Factory (I think it was on Gravois) The Muny, the St. Louis, Zoo (thank goodness it’s still here,) the Jewel Box. The convent at Grand and Park Ave?., the Sisters of Lorreto, (I studied music there) The Jefferson Hall, Walsh Stadium, midget car racing.

We moved to Overland in ’46, I thought I had moved to the ends of the earth, and the memories continue. Any one remember, Sandro’s, on Woodson Rd. the Overland theater, (10 cents for kids 25 cents for adults) Shirley Delfert’s on Lackland, O’Leary’s Delicatasen, on Lackland, listening to “The Shadow” , “Inner Sanctum” and others , on the radio, (no TV until 1950, no car either). Seen my first TV at Wash U’s field house, 1946, it was about a 4 in screen black & white, remember Muntz TV? Going to a neighbors home’s on Sunday evening to watch the “Texaco Hour” with Milton Berle. Remember Gil Newsom, Ed Wilson, St. Louis, DJ”s? Prom Magazine, Photoplay, and the game movie stars. You would give the initials of a movie star, if they didn’t guess it the first time; you started naming movies they played in. Velvet Freeze, they were everywhere, A&W Root Beer Stands, White Castle (the Porcelain Palace) , the Diamonds Restaurant, on Hwy. 66?

My Grandmother and aunts and uncles lived it North St. Louis, down by the Breman Water Tower, on N. 19th street. They would send us kids down to the tavern to get them a bucket of beer in the summer, and we would sometimes get delayed watching the bottle cap game going on in the alley. My Dad worked for the Terminal R.R. and every Sunday we would go to my Grandmother’s house. We took the Creve Coeur Street car to the Delmar loop, took the Delmar Street car to Grand Ave. (by the Fox), dad would go south on the Grand Street car to work and we went North on the Grand Street car to the Water Tower and walked the rest of the way, down by the Breman Theater, then my mom, my sister and myself would come home at 10 or eleven, just us, (dad was at work) doing the reverse, and walking a mile through Overland to our home. Can you imagine doing that now? Not me. I worked in Wellston as a teen; remember Kresge’s, Woolworth, Bluestein’s Bridal, Mauries Tavern, Wellston Theater, the New Lindy Hall?

Post from pkn (4/6/2009)
It’s a shame that “city living” is no longer the way it use to be, there was something special about it, I guess I could go on and on, seems like one thought leads to another. Sure have enjoyed reading memories of others. Thanks for such a wonderful site. Who remembers the Girls Baseball Teams that pkayed, at least some games, on Grand Evnue. A league of the own????
Post from Jim Keith (4/9/2009)
Like many of your site's fans, I check daily for any new MEMORIES.
With the passing of the last polar bear, I have so many fond memories of my youth and the St. Louis Zoo.
I felt like I lived there.....knew the grounds like the back on my hand. I would take the bus, even as a pre-teen, alone and on weekends wander the grounds.
Back then, the zoo was not as protected or fenced as it is now. You could actually walk thru the zoo after dark....and they did have zoo police, but I never had a problem.
Mr Vierheller would drive his gray car ( a New Yorker) around the grounds and sometimes he and I would talk. He had a gravely voice and I told him someday I will work at the zoo. Almost came true back in early 60's.
I recall and hope that someone might recall that a young child, boy, came from the top - backside of bear pits and leaned over a little too far. He either fell into pit or was pulled from edge. I think he was fatally injured if my memory serves me correctly. IF anyone remembers the incident or the year even, I'd like to find the news stories about it. I think it was either very late 40's or early 50's.
On Monday evenings, AFTER zoo hours, the reptiles were fed. When Moody Lenz son, Jerry was home from college, I would hang around with him and they allowed me to be there during feeding hours. The very first book I ever checked out at the library was "MY FIRST BOOK ON SNAKES", I think I was in 1st grade.
In 1963, while in the Marines, I happen to have a nice collection of far-eastern reptiles, Marlin Perkins paid for the shipping and I sent them from Tokyo to the zoo. Never lost my interest in herpetology.
To this day, my children and now grandchildren have grown up knowing about and understanding that snakes have a place and a purpose.
There is a lot of talk about taxes and financial aid for the zoo.....maybe charging folks that do not live in the city or county.................to visit the zoo.
I always thought, it was the LAW.......the zoo was suppose to be free, I'm probably wrong, but after traveling all over the USA, St, Louis is one of the finest zoos and what a blessing.......................for travelers, SOMETHING FREE, especially, something as wonderful as our zoo.
Post from Marie (4/9/2009)
Hello, I am trying to find a candy that was sold at the Katz Drug Store. I used to go there with my mother in the late 50's. The candy was a white ball with a almond in the middle of it and I would really love to find it again. I love your site it brings back alot of memories, we use to go to Katz Drug Store and watch Santa Claus land in a helicopter it was a thrill to see that. I would really appreciate it if you could help me find out what the candy was called. Please send me a e-mail back if you can tell me what it was.
Post from Gloria (4/12/2009)
Walgreens has a candy called Jordans Almonds, it might be similar to the candy you are looking for except the almonds are covered in candy coatings of white, pink and yellow.
Post from ????? (4/12/2009)
I really enjoyed reading Jim Keith's memories of the Zoo. I've been gone from St. Louis for many years, but anytime someone will tell me they are planning a visit and ask my advice on what to do while there, I ALWAYS tell them to be sure and hit the Zoo. I've visited many across the Nation and none are better than the St. Louis Zoo.

I have such great memories of the Zoo during the 60's. My earliest memory was being taken when I was 5 and my sister was 7. It was there that the lovely man my Mother was dating asked us if it was alright if he became our Dad. I still tear up remembering that. He was a wonderful Father. We couldn't have asked for better. I remember he bought us stuffed black bears with red leashes that day and all the sno-cones we wanted.

We went back often on family and Class trips. I also admit to later cutting school and spending the day there with a boy.

My favorite memory is the time several of us teens went and a storm came up and along with it colder temps. We were walking about and I was wishing I'd brought my jacket. I look up and see my Mother hurrying down the path toward us with our jackets in her hands. She'd had Dad drive her down and she walked that Zoo until she found us. What a great Mom.

We saw Phil several times and Siegfried the Walrus. Scratched his belly many times. Saw Marlin Perkins riding around in zebra striped golf carts too. What a treat!
Post from Gene Glover (4/12/2009)
Are you still collecting 'Memories'? I found your Web Site when I was searching for Minstrel Shows as I performed in one in 1959 when I was 14. It was an annual event at my local grade school and my mother told me that she thought that this year would be the final year for Minstrel Shows. I grew up in an all white small community in Central Illinois and was completely naive about the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement at the time.

My mother was correct. 1959 was the last of the Minstrel Shows in my community.

By the way, for your 'I remember when' comments. Please throw in this one. I remember when my first telephone number was 3 shorts and 1 long! Yes, we had the old box phone mounted to the wall which we'd use to crank up Mabel, the operator, to make an outgoing call. Our phone was on a party line and we would only answer if the phone rang with our code. Anything different, it was directed to somebody else down the block on the party line.

It's fun to reminisce, but I must admit that the 'Good Ole Days' are really right now!
Post from CURLY DAVIS (4/19/2009)
JULIUS GARRIANI IS BIGGIES REAL NAME,SPELLING MIGHT BE A LITTLE OFF.HE DIED IN THE SEVENTIES,HE SON RAN THE RESTAURANT UNTIL IT CLOSED.THE ORIGINAL STAN & BIGGIES WAS ON CHIPPAWAW BY THE STEAK & SHAKE , DONUT SHOP AND PARKMOOR.I WORKED AT THE ONE ON OAKLAND AVE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS FROM 1962-64.IN THE SOMMER WAS WORK ON THE MR SOFTEE TRUCKS FROM 1959-TO 1965.
Post from Doug (4/19/2009)
Dave,AOL took away all the sites I had on the St.Louis amusement parks.So a new memory is.. I remimber(plug ,here) when I saw my first copy of my book,"Forest Park Highlands".I held it in my hands& thought "I hope the people of St.Louis likes this."If anyone wants me to send a pic.through e mail,drop me a line at this e mail: [email protected]. Let me know what your looking for.I have a lot from most of the parks .
Post from ??? (4/25/2009)
I remember Martin's Variety on Laclede just off Euclid ave (there you could get anything).
I remember the visible 70mm movie reel at the Esquire on Clayton.
I remember riding our bikes over every inch of Forest Park.
I remember the basement Schlotzskys on Euclid.
I remember Karl Bissenger's on McPherson.
I remember the winter fest in the CWE (Does anyone remember what it was called?)

Post from Pauline Pollard (5/11/2009)
What a wonderful site! it is bringing smiles to my face REMEMBERING. I once worked at a clothing store in Wellston next door to Woolworths and I cannot remember the name of it. If anyone does I would appreciate it. Not important but just one of those things that drive you crazy.
I remember ashpits
Calling out "First street light"
Naming the make of cars as they drove by
Walking to Fairgrounds Park to go swimming
Peeking in the Adult stores on our way home hoping to see something naughty
Sportsmen Ball Park
Stan Musial
Bob Petit
Heman Park swimmingI could go on and on
Thank you for this site.

Post from Judith Nees (5/11/2009)
I am Judith Nees, of Waco TX, I grew up in Webster Groves, 218 Simmons Ave, my fond memories are attending Holy Infant prior to our move to Webster, we were one of the founding families of Ballwin Mo. Annunciation and Webster High. I remember as a child going to the police circus at the Arena, many summers spent at the Muny, seeing Gone With the Wind at the Fox, Crestwood Plaza was the plaza to go to, having family reunions at Tilles Park, attending cousins weddings at the various Catholic Parishes. My parents were charter members of Holy Infant School in Ballwin I can still remember the great tornado of 1958 or 59...white castles, steak n shake, I rode one of the last of the street cars as a child. The most exciting was watching the capstone of the arch being placed (saw this for our 7th grade classroom at Annunciation). Of course the school trips to the zoo, with the finishing touch of ice cream at the art museum. Well my ancestors did well when they settled St. Louis, my great grand father from Ireland was the owner of O'Brien brick and masonry, and was the builder for the doe of the old courthouse, Famous Barr Building, and First National bank, his daughter my grandmother was a prominent member , and was author and painter. My dads grandfather was a riverboat captain on the Mississippi. So to St. Louis, your memories linger on...
Post from Brenda Bartsch (Rose Fanning Class of 1969 & Roosevelt Class of 1973) (5/11/2009)
Dave, you have a great site of memories here,. I will share it with my Roosevelt yahoo group. They will love perusing through these memories. I stumpled across your site in search of someone out there having old movies of the "St Louis Hop" - the Saturday dance show that so many of us watched religiously and also appeared on from time to time. Please notify me if you come across any old videos of the show. According to KMOV, very few of the shows survived because tape was expensive back then and the shows were taped over in order to reuse tape. I haven't had any success in tracking even one surviving episode. Great Site You Have
Post from Darlene Buettner ([email protected]) (5/11/2009)
I stumbled across your web-site trying to look up a value of a replica of a painting I purchased at a yardsale. My mind is failing and I can't remember the names of the bridges or streets. I can't make out the painters name either. Butttttt....I have a painting of the old bridge that ran from St. Louis to East St. Louis, the bridge ran next to the Switzer Licorice Company. Under the bridge was a cobblestone park ing lot which shows several older model cars parked there. Behind the cars was concrete archways that linked together. It has the old telephone and electric poles. It looks just the way it did in those days. Could someone help me with the name of the bridge and location? I sure would appreciate it if anyone could help me with that. I am trying to update my homeowners insurance and want to include this on my list but can't imagine what it may be worth. I know how much it is worth to me, I have had it at least 10 years. Thank you in advance to anything that maybe helpful.
Post from Alan Wilson (5/14/2009)
This is in answer to darlene's question regarding a painting. The bridge in question must be the Eads Bridge. The 1st Steel truss bridge to span the Mississippi, it was referred to as it was being built as "Eads Folly" as many people expected it to collapse....It did not and has survived quite well, even being damaged in the great 1896 tornado. It is a remarkable stucture and one of the great assets of the St. Louis riverfront.
Post from KIMBERLEY([email protected]) (5/14/2009)
I grew up in Ballwin, CA7-1122. Class of '78, Parkway West.

I remember telling ghost stories in the back of my friend's dad's station wagon, parked in the parking lot of the Manchester baseball field off Manchester Rd. during a night time game.

I remember hanging out in the Precinct pinball arcade which was run by the St Louis County police - they wore denim vests with rhinestone pig's heads on the back - it was an ingenious way of keeping all of us hooligans in one place where they could keep an eye on us and get to know us.

I remember walking through the woods in one direction or the other to get practically any place.

I remember walking down Manchester Rd on summer nights.

I remember listening early in the morning for snow day school closings on KSD or KXOK; then spending all day on those snow days playing in the snow with kids I didn't usually play with.

I remember those metal boxes that people used to have on their front porches for milk deliveries, and I remember the Charles Chips truck making home deliveries, too.

I remember shovelling snow in the middle of the night and having fun doing it.

I remember riding through Forest Park in the middle of the night standing up in a convertable.

My first job, which lasted all of 2 months, was at Target on Manchester Rd., my second job, that lasted alot longer was at Stix, Baer & Fuller - I got hired as Christmas help and stayed for 7 years.

I remember hanging out at Ellisville Roller Rink, next door to the movie theatre and the bowling alley.

I remember sitting all day on a shipping pallet in a field of mud under the Arch at the Veiled Prophet fair waiting to hear Elton John.

Later on I lived in Maplewood & I loved to walk around the streets of our neighborhood at night.

My best friend and I were street musicians in the Central West End; we played on the corner of Euclid and McPherson on summer nights in the early eighties, and afterwards we would get a bunch of people together to go to Uncle Bill's.

I remember some great little greasy dive off of Vandeventer, too, that we would go to after the bars closed. They had something called a Nightmare, which I think consisted of biscuits, gravy, scrambled eggs and chili.
Post from ???? (5/25/2009)
Barrett Brothers Park, St Louis Ave and Goodfellow
Post from Janet K. (5/25/2009)
As a child, I lived on 2300 block of North Market Street in 1950's and early 1960's. We moved to St. Francois Co. MO where I encountered MAJOR culture shock. I remember: Howard Elementary School, Howard BRANCH Elementary School (to handle the overflow of us baby-boomers I'm sure), and within one block of our house (flat actually - bottom of one of those gorgeous brick homes) - a Tomboy Grocery, a Ben Franklin 5 & 10, three (yes THREE) confectioneries, a beauty parlor, a barber shop, Mike's restaurant on the corner (great hamburgers) {sadly, I heard Mike got robbed and murdered in his restaurant}, a thrift shop (where my sister and I bought flouncy second hand cocktail/prom dresses to play dress up in), a neighborhood tavern which was (gasp!) air conditioned! My dad would bring a pitcher of beer home when he had card games (sometimes when he didn't). We would walk with Mom to 14th Street for serious shopping, a laundromat, a bakery and a hardware store. It was a complete walking neighborhood with huge trees and some cobblestone in the street. And eggcups on top of one of the neighborhood buildings. I have good memories of that northside neighborhood.

Also remember: sputnik gum - blue and nubby, 3-V Cola (16 WHOLE ounces), little tubs of ice cream with wooden paddle like spoons and honest to god penny candy. I also remember a lady giving out samples of some new fangled thing called 'California Dip' at the Tomboy - made with onion soup mix and sour cream - who knew! White Castle having curb side service. And my dad and his friends playing bottlecaps in the alley. Herringbone brick sidewalks - which were jaw shaking when rollerskating. Neighborhood kids played 'First on the Street Light' first kid to see the light come on ran to it and tagged it screaming 'FIRST ON THE STREET LIGHT!!!' I also remember buying Kool cigarettes for my mom - with penguins on the pack.

I went to Howard Elementary School and Howard Branch from 1957 to 1961. I was there from KG through Fourth Grade. Teachers I remember - Mrs. Schwarz, Mrs. Green, Mrs. McCallister, Mrs. Lawler, and in kindergarten - Ms. Underwood and Ms. Stonebreaker. I remember Santa came to our kindergarten and we used to sing some perky song every morning before school. Good memories.
Post from Gloria (5/25/2009)
Today is Memorial Day. I thank all of the men and women who are serving our Country today.

The men and women who fought in the Viet Name war and those who lost their lives especially Allen Green.

I can remember how handsome my father looked in his uniform serving in the Army during WW II along with my Uncle's who represented the Navy, Air Force and Marines. A special thanks to them for sharing their memories with me.

I also can remember every Memorial Day going down town to the Military parade. I don't know if they even have the parade still. Afterwords we went to Jefferson Memorial in Forest Park.

To all of the readers on the site who have served our Country, THANK YOU.
Post from L.D. (5/29/2009)
I recently discovered this site and, while I can't identify with many of the posted memories, I do have some distinct memories of slouis area places in spacetime, especially in the '50's and 60's. I'll post a few, and possibly ask some questions that perhaps some other posters can answer;

I have fairly specific memories of some aspects of the old Famous-Barr downtown store. The wonderful playroom that some posters have mentioned was located there. It was a large [or so it seemed to a small child] high-ceilinged space and contained many fixtures and other items for children's play. In particular, it featured two large theme structures. One, as one entered, was a large, high sliding board. But it wasn't an ordinary sliding board. It flowed down from a playhouse that was a kind of treehouse without a tree. To get to the top of the slide [bear with me here, Beatles lovers], one didn't climb a ladder. One entered a small doorway at floor level of the playhouse and went up a spiral-type interior staircase. At the top was the playhouse, large enough for a few children at a time, not quite high-ceilinged enough to stand upright [I think]. Children went from the top of the stairs to the top of the slide [located in an opening of the house]through the house. Generally there was a line of children waiting to go down the slide. Next to the slide opening, there was an open window, and floor space large enough for one child, who could sit and look out over a large part of the playroom or watch [and perhaps direct or impede] other children going down the slide. The privilege of sitting there was sometimes contested. The slide was high, steep, slick and very fast. I believe there was a sandbox at the bottom to catch the sliding children, kind of an early portent of JD Salinger.

The other major feature of the playroom was an enormous rocking platform, known as the ship, or, more often, as the pirate ship. It was a large rectangular wooden platform several steps up from the playroom floor, hinged to the floor by a huge pin underneath in the center. Except for the opening at the steps, it was surrounded by a low parapet into which bench seating was installed. Lots of kids would get on board and start rocking it, or sit on the benches, pretending they were on the high seas. Often a group of kids on board would play king-of-the-hill and try to prevent other kids from boarding. It was all part of the pirate game.

The playroom walls contained chalkboards with colored chalks and erasers attached to the boards by strings, for kids to draw. There were also small tables with paper, crayons and modeling clay. Probably blocks and other toys too. And I think Tinker Toys and maybe Erector Sets. And there were sandboxes with scoops, shovels and pails. Funny, I don't remember walking around Famous with sand in my shoes, but it must have been there.

My mother used to take me downtown and drop me off at the playroom in the morning, when I was perhaps ages 4-6. At lunchtime, she would pick me up and take me to the gracious Famous-Barr dining room for a white-linen lunch. I believe the room was called The Rose Room. In addition to fine [I think] meals in quiet surroundings, it featured a fashion show for the shopping ladies, to sell women's wear. The tables were arranged around a kind of dance floor and models would come out and model the new fashions, circulating among the tables for the women to examine closely and buy. The fun for me here was that one of the models was an exceptionally beautiful older cousin of mine who made it a point to come to our table and talk to us, and it made me feel like a celebrity. She turned out to be not only gorgeous, but a very good-hearted person.

But what was most dazzling to me about these lunches, and had a direct influence on my life [surprising as that would probably sound to the people who ran the room] was the murals on the walls. They pictured the dining room as a terrace cafe complete with classical balustrades set in a parklike environment. In addition to the pastoral mood they created for me, there was one stunning feature of the murals: rising out of the park setting, above the trees, was an incredible, sleek curved structure that soared into the painted sky. It was my first introduction to what was much later to become reality: the Gateway Arch. At the time, it was only a pipedream, unbuilt, unfunded, and, except for the publicity surrounding the competition of which it was the winner just a few years before, it was largely unknown or forgotten by the general public. I had no idea what it was, but I couldn't take my eyes off it [except when my cousin came to our table]. It was the earliest architectural influence on my young life, and merely a large rendering at that; but I never forgot it, and it had a lasting effect, helping to influence my decision to go to architecture school [which I attended during the years the Arch was actually constructed].

One more thing about the downtown Famous-Barr and kids: After lunch, my mother often took me to the barbershop in the store. It was oriented towards kids, and had a [or perhaps two] carousel horse[es] on which a child could choose to sit while having his [or her?] hair cut. Or he/she could choose to sit in the large barber chair, on a booster set into the chair to make it feel like a throne.

To catch the streetcar on the way home, we would sometimes walk past the Post-Dispatch/KSD building to top off the day. At street level, it had plate glass windows which allowed passersby to watch the presses in action. That was really exciting to see [and, incidentally, and perhaps also oddly, helped get me interested in journalism].

One question for now, and I hope someone reading this has the answer: One Sunday during the late '50's or very early 60's, probably in 1958-62, the Post-Dispatch featured a 4-6-page full-color display of what downtown might look like when the Arch, the Mall and the yet-to-be-designed and constructed downtown stadium were built. It was featured in what was then called the P-D's Sunday "Pictures" section [a kind of rotogravure], when it was still a full-page section. Does anyone reading this remember that display, and/or can you offer me guidance re how I can obtain a reproduction?
Post from Wayne R. (5/30/2009)
Had a question that I was hoping one of the readers could answer. Does anyone remember the lamplighters in North Saint Louis? My specific question is approximately what year they ceased to operate.

I was discussing this subject recently with my 80 year old Aunt. She was trying to remember when the lamplighters ceased to operate. She said it could have been anytime from the 1930's through the 1950's, which is obviously not precise.
Post from Jane, North St. Louis (6/4/2009)
I live in California now but growing up in St. Louis, I remember when Forest Park Highlands was still there and once a year they had 3 cents day so you could go on the rides for that price. We also had the Arena where the circus, sporting events, etc. were held. Chain Of Rocks park is where my grade school had their school picnic every summer and we rode there on double decker buses. Besides our great zoo, we had the Muny Opera outdoors where a section in the back provided free seats for all of the productions. My mother would pack a picnic lunch and we'd spend the day at Forest Park. Close to evening, we would claim our seats and wait expectantly for another light opera play. Now I wonder how we survived the mosquitoes that must have been there, but we were so enthralled that we didn't notice.

Thank you for providing an opportunity to recall these magical moments of my childhood.
Post from L. D. (6/4/2009)
read some posts from prior years the other night, and one [I think this was from a prior year] referenced a website called Historic Aerials.com. I tried it and I recommend it for anyone who has an interest in comparing and contrasting aerial views of the slouis area or any part of it as recently as 2007 to and with those from 1958, 1971 or a few more recent years. The bad thing about this site is that the views are cluttered with logos and website directions and the views are not full-screen. Even so, however, it is fascinating.

An old DJ posted some recollections in a prior year about the eatery on De Baliviere that used to bring the food around on an electric train. He reminded me that the menu also came around on the train as well as the bill [also known as "check"]. However, I think he said that the place was on the north side of McPherson. It wasn't on McPherson [wjich terminated at DeBaliviere], but rather a block or two further south, either Waterman or Pershing, and it was on the south side of the street [and on the east side of DeBaliviere], not the north side. I remember it being directly across DeBaliviere from Glaser's Drug Store, but it might have been a block away. In any event, it was a wondrous place for a child to eat.

Which brings me to DeBaliviere itself, a remakable and unique street in the early-mid '50's. It was a grand, wide boulevard, only 6-8 blocks long from its southern terminus at the Jefferson Memorial at the entrance to Forest Park to its northern terminal, at the free-standing clock of and in front of Moll's grocery on Delmar [when I last checked, the clock was still standing---at Laclede's Landing].

There, on the north side of Delmar, were Moll's, a dime store [I think Woolworth's and maybe also a Kresge's] in addition to Moll's. There was a large fresh-fish store next to or a part of Moll's, I don't remember which, which was always cool, had a freshly-cut fish aroma, butcher block tables and cleavers, and a curious entrance doorway: There was no door, during business hours, but rather a steady stream of air rushed downward vertically from the overhead door jamb and formed an air partition between the outside air and humidity and the interior cool, dry and aromatic climate.

Across Delmar, on the south side, at the corner of DeBaliviere, was an huge power plant with enormous generators that were very loud and scary for anyone waiting on the corner for a Delmar bus, and in the summer, with the street door open, tremendous heat used to pour out of the building onto unfortunate bus waiters and passersby. Just south of the power plant on DeBaliviere [the streetcar and bus yards and barns occupied the full block from DeBaliviere west to Laurel and from Delmar south to Westminster] was a bus turn-around. Immediately south of it was a synagogue with a grass courtyard, and immediately south of it was a saloon on the corner of DeBaliviere and Westminster, whose pale green window curtains were always closed. Across Westminster, still on the west side of DeBaliviere, was Gilden's store, a kind of general store that had enormous quantities of penny candy, wax lips and the other candy/paraphernalia that '50's kids loved. And it had one or two huge tables piled with stacks of used ["pre-owned"?] comic books, which kids could buy for a penny each or trade for their own comics.

Walking south on the west side of DeBaliviere one passed [or stopped at] Garavelli's Restaurant, which often had a long Cadillac parked in front with elongated bumpers, which the neighborhood kids thought belonged to Stan Musial, a partner in and front for Garavelli's at the time. We never found out for sure if it was his car, but there was a new one every year, the same make and type.

One also passed a strip club---I think it was called the Stardust---which had lurid posters and a glittering sidewalk which hurt one's eyes if one walked by at night because therre were small pieces of reflective glass embedded in the sidewalk, and the club turned on very bright floodlights at night.

One also passed the Apollo Theatre, one of two movie theatres in the neighborhood [the other was the Pageant on Delmar], which always had double features, cartoons, newsreels, serials, previews that didn't deafen you, and a fully-stocked inexpensive candy and popcorn counter. I saw "It Came From Outer Space" in 3-D there, as well as many other movies.

Finally, before one crossed the grassy areas and tracks [and Lindell Blvd.]which lay between commercial DeBaliviere and Forest Park, one came to Glaser's Drug Store, which had a wonderful soda fountain [ice cream sodas for a quarter] with round chrome-sided spinning stools and a rack of new comic books that the owners tolerated kids sitting down in front of and pouring through---for a while anyway. And it had very good air conditioning. I remember Glaser's being along [and on the south side of] the DeBaliviere/Pershing streetcar stop, but it might have been a block before that.

If one continued south for another 1 1/2 blocks or so of grass, street and tracks [I think the Wabash Line was sunken below DeBaliviere at this point, but I'm not sure], one came to the Jefferson Memorial and beyond that, no more than another two blocks, the Forest Park Lagoons, a playground, the Field House, handball courts, clay tennis courts and, a little further, the Forest Park Pavilion and fountain and the zoo. It was all pretty handy.

If one crossed DeBaliviere eastward at Glaser's instead, one came to the electic train eatery that I referred to above. Proceeding along the east side of DeBaliviere northward, there was the Winter Garden, the city's only indoor ice skating rink and the only ice skating rink at all in those days [it pre-dated the Forest Park outdoor rink]. It was always alive, and a great and yet another unique place along the boulevard. A bit north of the Winter Garden was Food Center [later, "National"], the first supermarket in the neighborhood, though very small by today's standards. It had the first elecrtric-pad door openers in the neighborhood, and it had a terrific entrance marquee, like a movie theatre's and, in truth, much better than the Fox's. It had hundreds of multi-color bulbs that were changing patterns and colors constantly, and spelled out "Food Center". The store also had great penny candy, and coffee grinders that imbued much of the store with the wonderful aroma of freshly-ground coffee.

Proceeding a block northward back to Delmar, there was an apartment hotel on the southeast corner of Delmar and DeBaliviere, at DeBaliviere's northern terminus. Around the corner and eastward about 1 1/2 blocks on the south side of Delmar were Nelson-Burton Lanes, the first bowling alley I ever saw, which was literally a bowling alley. It was behind a residential building on Delmar, and the entrance was off the alley. In those days the pin spotters were human.
Post from Tom Caulley, Spring Hill, FL (6/4/2009)
My father was a young man when the Great Depression hit. He coul'd find work so he "rode the rails" to California to find work. This would have been lat 1929 or early 1930. He returned before October on 1932 (when my parents were married). He often said that when he left, St. Louis had gas lights and it had electric lights when he returned. So your answer is sometime between Jan 1930 and October 1932.
Post from Shannon Hart xxxxxxxxx (6/4/2009)
Saw the post from "Schillago" and was wondering if she had a brother named Rich?

My grandparents owned the Hart Dairy Farm on Halls Ferry and Jennings Station Rd. My grandfather was the president of the school board for 21 years and also the head of the Jennings Masonic Lodge for about the same length of time.

I knew a Rich Schillago...wondering if he was still alive and how he was doing if he is. He dated a friend of mine for a while.

Jennings was a quaint community and at one time I had several aunts and uncles, many cousins, great aunts and uncles etc...all living within a 5 mile radius that centered around Jennings.

Post from L. D. (6/4/2009)
I've sent a couple of posts describing more or less my recollections of some areas of the city in the '50's and '60's which had something unique about them that is gone now. For the most part I have tried not to include much [but some, I confess] in the way of personal memories because I doubt they would be of interest to anyone but me. But a few occurred to me that are minor "events" in a way, to which I was a witness; so I thought I'd post some:

Stan Musial's last home run -

It was against the LA Dodgers near the end of the 1963 season. The only sold-out and standing-room-only crowd I ever saw in the old ballpark [which had been Sportsman's Park until Busch renamed it Busch Stadium in 1953]. It was so crowded [but even so, held only about 31,000 people] that my date and I couldn't even leave our general admission grandstand seats to pee, and it got pretty intense. I believe Johnny Podres was pitching for the Dodgers, a close low-scoring game, when Stan came to bat with bases empty during a late inning. I can still see the ball lofting into the black night sky towards the old Longines clock over the right field pavilion, tracing a path that resembled the soon-to-be-built Arch. Number 493. I think that tied the game, perhaps at 1-1. But alas, a utility player for the Dodgers named Dick Nen [I think he's Rob Nen's father] came up in the top of the ninth [I think] and hit one for the Dodgers which the cardinals couldn't overcome. The Bums had come to town neck-and-neck with the cards for first place and the pennant, and both teams were at full strength. Unfortunately the Koufax-led Dodgers went on to sweep the series and pull away from the cardinals, winning the '63 pennant. 1963 was an exciting season for the cards, but it seems to have been largely forgotten, perhaps because they finally did win it all in '64. Stan retired after the '63 season, and his place on the team was eventually taken by Lou Brock the next season, who, of course, led the team to the championship.

The last game at Busch Stadium, nee Sportsman's Park -

It was against the SF Giants in May of 1966. A cold, raw, overcast day. After the game, the cards had a ceremony in which they were to have home plate dug up and flown from the field by helicopter to the spanking new Busch Memorial Stadium downtown, the exterior of which was designed by Edward Durell Stone, probably his best large-scale American commission. The brewery had somehow located and unearthed a member of the original grounds crew from Sportsman's Park, supposedly the guy who had installed the original home plate there, and brought him out to dig up the existing plate. But the poor old guy was frail and bent, somewhere around 90 years old, and probably couldn't have pulled the plate out of a pool of pudding. The ground was hard and cold and he couldn't budge it. In fact, he looked like he was going to collapse. The few of us fans who had waited around for this charade couldn't help but laugh at the entire spectacle. It was pretty funny, and more than a bit stupid [as were we, I guess, for braving the cold to watch it]. Finally someone else dug up the plate, a member of the then-current grounds crew, I guess, and they flew it away in the 'copter [I think with the old guy, too. I think maybe he was supposed to install it in the new stadium, at least ceremonially; but there was no one in the new stadium to watch---so, a metaphysical question: did it ever really get installed?].

One other note about it. My friend and I had watched Orlando Cepeda knock the heck out of the ball during the game [I think the cards lost], and we asked each other why the cards never seemed to be able to get a hitter like that. The next day they did. Cepeda was traded to the cards that night. Thank you Bing Devine.

Stan & Biggie's, Nov.23, 1963 -

This was barely a month after Stan had retired, and was the Saturday night after President Kennedy had been murdered. The evening after. I was dating a girl and had made a date with her the previous Saturday night for this night. Needless to say, we didn't feel like going out. No one did. There was a feeling of true national grief over the loss of the President, a continental gloom, and there were few places to go even if one did want to go out. Pretty much all places of entertainment had shut down until after the state funeral. However, we didn't feel like being alone, either; so I decided to take my girl to a quiet dinner where we could just eat quietly and be with each other. We went to Stan & Biggie's restaurant on Oakland Ave.[just west of where the old Forest Park Highlands had been]. To my surprise [because he had known JFK and was something of a friend of the President], Stan was there, and he graciously went around to each of the tables in the room and asked how the diners were, how the food was, and just generally acted like a perfect gentleman and host. The mood in the room, as all over America, was subdued, numb; but Stan added a bit of humanity and life to it all. Postscript: A few years ago I read an unauthorized bography of Stan by an author who turned out to be hostile to Stan and whose name I have forgotten. For some inexplicable reason he claimed that Stan had disappeared that weekend, was nowhere to be seen, and he made an issue of it. Well, I've got news for that mudslinger: Stan was right there, in public, helping strangers cope with the national tragedy.

Perhaps some more another time.
Post from L. D. (6/11/2009)
The Standard Oil sign -

Before the tornado [1959?], there was the largest, grandest, most colorful and complicated electric bulb sign I have ever seen, at the Standard station on the island just west of the intersection of Clayton Road and Skinker. It was round and had many hundreds, perhaps thousands, of small bulbs of all colors that were constantly changing doing all sorts of things, on both the east and west sides. It was truly an event to watch while stopped at the traffic light or coming off the "express highway" or east on Clayton road. It hovered high above the station and was visible for a long ways. It was much bigger and more active than any other bulb sign in slouis, including the anheiser busch signs and the food center sign and all the movie theatre signs. It was destroyed in the tornado along with the broadcasting tower, the two Arena towers and the Arena roof, the tornado that created Gaslight Square. Later it was replaced with that large [but smaller] boring fluorescent backlit Standard logo sign. Not even close.

Texas Bruce -

He died not long ago. I was the "mascot" of the Brownie "troop" led by my mother. We all went down to KSD one day to be the gallery for the show. But in those days, he hadn't yet been seating the gallery kids on camera. We were all standing upstairs on a balcony in the studio looking down on the set. Before the show, they had refreshments on a table up there for us [I think sponsor's products, but I don't remember the sponsors] and T.B. came upstairs to greet us all, in full costume. I guess I was about 5. I immediately reached for the gun in one of his holsters and he slapped my hand away and said "watch it, kid". Of course I was pretty surprised. From what I've since read of him, it was out of character. He probably was having a bad day. But it was great fun actually seeing the set and how the show was run, watching him give his little chalkboard Spanish vocabulary lesson for the day [a word a day] and touring the few other studios that KSD had [really, only a small news studio - in those days, the local news came on at 10:00 PM and was only ten minutes. Those were the good ol' days, although CBS's Spencer Tracy was really good at it].

Some Like It Hot -

My four good buddies and I were all the same age and about 13 when this great movie came out and was playing downtown at the Loew's [I don't remember if it was the Orpheum or the State - Loew's had two of the three downtown movie houses, on the same street, about a block or two apart. The Ambassador was the third.]. We took the Delmar bus downtown one Sunday afternoon to see it. The matronly box office lady looked at us warily and said "Are you sure your parents want you to see this movie?" We all vigorously nodded and replied that they certainly did. She reluctantly sold us the tickets. It was considered a racy movie for those days.

LBJ speech -

It was early Fall, 1964 and LBJ was campaigning against Goldwater, not yet a year after the Kennedy murder. He came to slouis and spoke on a platform outside the Old Post Office downtown. There was a huge crowd in the streets. What I most remember about it was the sharpshooters on the roofs of the surrounding buildings, their rifles clearly visible. I don't know if they were Secret Service or local cops or both, but they were there, and it reminded people of what could happen and made the proceedings a little jumpy. LBJ was his usual self.

The day they burned the Highlands down -

It was a hot summer day, July, 1963, and I was getting a ride home from work downtown during rush hour. We took "the express highway" [Hwy 40] home, and it was backed up for a long ways. As we filtered past the Highlands, we saw more closely the high column of black smoke that had been visible for miles. A very sad day for slouis, one that has never been adequately overcome.

The Cisco Kid and Pancho -

In the early 50's they used to put on a rodeo, the Firemen's Rodeo, in the old Oakland Stadium just east of the Highlands. The stadium was wooden [it burned anonymously, years before the Highlands] and was just open wooden bleachers, the kind that you can see through to the ground. Duncan Renaldo and Leo Carillo did it for several years. First there was a regular rodeo, with bronc riding and bull riding and calf roping and clowns. The climax was that a real stagecoach would come rushing out of the chute very fast across the grounds, the driver yellling that it was out of control, and it was being chased by masked outlaws. Then Cisco and Pancho came riding out after them on Diablo and on Pancho's horse [I don't remember the name] and they'd shoot the outlaws and Cisco would jump from Diablo onto the horse team, climb on the horses and rein them in. It was pretty exciting, and scary because there were microphones so the people could hear Cisco and Pancho, and that made the gunshots sound like explosions, really really loud. We always got the souveniers that were also available at the other Oakland Avenue venues, batons of clear plastic filled with small sugar candy balls, with glitter at the bulb end, and whips that had a siren whistle in the handle ["Thirsty? Just Whistle!"]. And cotton candy - fresh, hot and always pink. They were also sold at the Highlands and at the Police Circuses held at the Arena. And of course we wore our cowboy hats and holsters with cap guns, and cowboy boots with spurs.
Post from Dale Mullaney (6/23/2009)
My wife, who lived on Lilburn ave in North St. Louis, has often mentioned that there were lamplighters on her street around 1935. I am happy to inform her that the lamplighter sightings have been verified.
Post from Debbie Spellmeyer - class of '73(6/23/2009)
I would like to know who Terry C. is that lived on Annapolis Street in Overland. I lived on that street for awhile also. I attended New Overland grade school and then later moved to Goecke Place and attended Hoech Jr. High and then on to Ritenour High school. I'm from the class of '73. I also remember Fortner's store. I bet we went there every day. I remember the little creek that was at the end of the street. My parents told us everyday to stay away from the creek; sometimes we listened and sometimes we didn't. We like to catch tadpoles; yuck! I had 3 other sisters and a brother.

Wow, I loved reading all these memories; Steak 'n Shake was an old hang out along with Velvet Freeze after Teen Town at the YMCA; I remember Chuck-a-Burger, Holiday Hills, ABC Legion Ball Park, when we were in high school. And yes, I remember walking over to friends' houses after dark and we didn't have to call our parents to let them know we arrived safely.

Those were absolutely the best days ever! It's too bad our children and grandchildren won't experience the kind of life we had.
Post from [email protected] (6/23/2009)
I grew up in North St. Louis on Grove St. across from Eliot School between 1957-1973. I remember sitting on the curb with all the neighbor kids and waiting for Jasper in his Tastee-Freeze truck to arrive in the hot summer nights. There was a tavern on every corner of my neighborhood, which may explain why there wasn't many people getting DWI's in those days. (You could just walk home when you got a snoot-full.) I think there were 4 taverns within a 1 block radius of my house. I remember going to sleep every night to the sound of a basketball dribbling across the street in the schoolyard of Eliot school. Of course its hard to sleep in my adult years unless I hear the familar thumpty, thumpty, swoosh. I remember picking glass out of my feet, because we wouldn't wear shoes. I remember the Tower Theatre and seeing Fess Parker in person there. I remember the stories of the carnival set up on Hall St. and the man that would eat a rat sandwich right in front of you. If you didn't puke, you would receive $20. (Don't know if that was true, because I wasn't allowed to go to that carnival).And what about that tamale guy? Are tamales that good in 2009? I think not. Or what about the crossing guard lady? She ensured our safety crossing Carter and Florissant in front of the confectionary there? Was that Eileen's confectionary or was Eileen the crossing lady? I don't remember which. Anyone who grew up on Grove St., please email me. I long for the stories of our childhood. Your take on things will be welcomed!
Post from Gus Hoelscher Raised in Richmond Heights, and now in Chesterfield. (6/23/2009)
Someone asked if anyone has any memories of the Rainy Daze club on Olive St Rd so here goes.

I was a Junior or Senior in High school and was playing in a band. I was getting into KSHE and the Psychedelic Rock that was coming of Age. My Drummer Buddy said that you've got to see this amazing guitar player who is coming to the Rainy Daze. I never heard of the Rainy Daze but went. The place was packed and we sat on the floor directly in front of the band ( in other words I could literally reach out and touch the guitar player. It was great. The Band was the Amboy Dukes and the Guitar player was "Ted Nugent". What a show and what a memory.
Post from Gloria (6/23/2009)
Seems like everyone is taking a summer break from posting, I know we haven't run out of memories.

We've talked about a lot of things on Dave's web site, I've never read a thread about having a special song (our song) with that special someone. I totally forgot about this until I ran into a man I dated in my freshman year of high school. It has been forty two years since I last saw him.

We went to the cafeteria for a cup of tea and he ask me if I remembered " our song", I said "of course I do, I'll bet you don't".Well as my luck would have it he blurted out the name of the song and I said your right.(?????)

Has anyone else forgotten their "special song" ?????
Post from Lauren (Horn) Nordin (6/26/2009)
Love the website and the memories it has brought. Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity to read and share.

I grew up in Normandy, in Bel-Nor, and lived there from 1964-1977. I attended Kindergarten at Bel-Nor School, grade school at St. Ann's on Natural Bridge, and High School at Incarnate Word Academy, although we moved away my Senior year and I graduated from McCLure North.

I remember our school picnics and the parade at St. Ann's, with the convertibles and paper roses. It was such a BIG deal. I have vivid memories of the Tilt-A-Whirl and my father and I riding the Scrambler and the Octopus and the Round-up. He called them the "tough rides".

St. Ann's was a wonderful parish! And what a beautiful church! The whole wall behind the altar was stained glass and told the story of Jesus. I spent many a Sunday morning engaging my mind with that stained glass rather than concentrating on Fr. Ottoline's sermon. I wore a chapel veil to church and itchy wool stockings. Our school sold Christmas Seals every year and I walked from house to house throughout the neighborhood asking neighbors - even strangers!- to buy them. Imagine sending a nine year old girl door-to-door now!

My stomping ground was Natural Bridge as a kid, and St. Charles Rock Road as a teen. I loved Holiday Hill and spent many a summer day swimming in the huge pool. My first real "date" was at the Miniature Golf Course there. And of course we all loved Trio's. I still love Thousand Island dressing on my hamburgers. (I think it was called the Trio Burger). There was a cemetary that sat on the hill there overlooking I70 - it wasn't there the last time I drove through. Across Natural Bridge there was a Shakey's Pizza Parlor.

There was also Shopper's Fair and Hill Brother's shoes. "Man Alive - Two For Five". We shopped there every Fall for new school shoes. There was also a Velvet Freeze in that shopping center, and my father owned Con-Vern Carpet next door in the 70’s. And there was a Luigi's at the end of the shopping center.

My father took just me out to dinner once to Flaming Pit. Was that a franchise? I can't remember where it was, but I was 10, and it seemed very posh to me at the time.

Dad favored the Blue Bird Tavern in Bel-Ridge. I remember sitting at the bar drinking a Frostie Root Beer or a Vess Grape soda and watching the animated Budweiser sign. It was a huge round glass globe with a winter scene and the Clydesdales pulled a wagon road through. Now that I think of it, there may have been a clock in the center.

I walked to Bel-Nor Market regularly for milk and bread, and almost daily to get Viceroy cigarettes for my mother. I was maybe 7. The kind man that owned the store was unable to talk, he seemed to suffer from a type of permanent laryngitis, but we always seemed to communicate. He was patient with me always, and smiled. I was allowed to keep a nickel and buy Slow Pokes, Turkish taffy, or a fudge-sickle.

I visited a friend who lived off Bermuda road and her neighborhood store was called Bloenkers. (Apologies for the spelling). They had a soda fountain and grill in their store. There was a tavern across the street that sold steak dinners.

There was a tavern on Lucas and Hunt right at 70 that had the best jumbo shrimp I have ever eaten. (LOL, no one thought a thing of bringing a kid to a tavern then, and a dad could drink a few beers and no one blinked an eye when he drove home.)

East of Lucas and Hunt, I recall a grocery store that was close to the Normandy branch of the Public Library. It was called Bettendorf’s and had it’s own bakery that smelled heavenly. There was also a restaurant inside. I believe my mother went there just to buy the bread.

My first real bedroom set was purchased from Beidermans Furniture store, and we shopped the sidewalk sales at Britt’s department store for summer clothes. It was right next to the National grocery store where we did our “big” shopping.We sometimes got a cherry coke at the Walgreens fountain there.

I have vivid memories of St. Vincent’s “insane asylum”, a huge gothic Victorian that sat off the Rock Road, a little west of Lucas and Hunt. It was open until sometime in the 70’s. My older sister candy striped there, and she told us horrific scary stories, so of course I was curious and rode my bike there often. I would have gotten the belt if my parents new I was that far away! It sat on the south end of the campus where UMSL's school of education is now. There was a cemetary there also, a small one. If anyone has any photos or history on the place, please let me know. I think they tore it down, but I don’t know. I’ve always been fascinated by the place.

There was a road that ran through Calvary Cemetery that took us from Natural Bridge to Baden. Of course school uniforms were purchased in Baden, I can’t remember the name of the store, (Kleinhorst...?) but it was right by the Green Stamp Store, where mom would take the dozens of stamp books and trade them in for household items. I think most parochial school kids got their uniforms from that store. Does anyone remember it’s name?

Thanks for the trip home!
Post from Alan Wilson (6/26/2009)
To Gus Hoelscher. I remember that night, I was likely right behind you. I also remember when POCO played at Rainy Daze. It was in early August of 1970. Rainy Daze was fairly close( just a few miles) to my home. I and my friends were there frequently That area of West County was largely undeveloped, then. Some homes and business but still rural in character. Woodsmill was a narrow 2 lane as well as Conway, Ladue, Big Bend, and Clayton rds. Just a few miles beyond Rainy Daze, Olive Street became Clarkson Rd. Used to take woodsmill (in its 2 lane, high curbed form) all the way to Valley Park and Lake Hill Speedway. The only 4 lane road between Olive and the I-44 was Manchester. And Olive was only 2 lanes west of Woodsmill (141) Used to also drive down Hog Hollow rd, just west of Rainy Daze to explore the river bottoms and cruise the back way to Creve Coeur Park. My, How things have changed. I now live in Arizona, but the Memories, thanks to this website, of St.Louis remain with me.
Post from Judy Marshall Love (6/27/2009)
Dave, I have just found your site for "St. Louis Memories" and would like to place a post. For some reason my computer has been "acting up" and I could not get your e-mail address. It has been so enjoyable to sit and read all of the memories. It certainly takes me back to a time when life was much simpler. We are having a "Pine Lawn and Surrounding areas" reunion August 30th at Tiemeyer Park. The reunion began as a St. Paul the Apostle in Pine Lawn reunion many years ago and has since expanded to include those who lived in North Woods, etc. and those who attended Garfield School. the reunion includes anyone who lived in the area from the 1920's until 1970. Thank you so much for the memories and let me know how I can post a message to let others know about the reunion.
Post from Mark (6/28/2009)
Ref: Lauren (Horn) Nordin.
I remember the Blue Bird Tavern in Bel-Ridge. I would spend the weekends with my grandparents sometimes and we go shopping. I would go to the Ben Franklins 5 and Dime and get a model or some toy. After words we would go to the Blue Bird. I would play the old bowling machine and music on the juke box. They were members of AMVETs Post 55. My Grandma Liz Gilles would do the shopping sometimes for the Sunday morning breakfasts they had and my grandpa Joe Gilles would tend Bar. Life was so much simpler back then.
Post from Michael (6/28/2009)
I saw a few mentions of Star Service Gas Stations in St. Louis. I am the owner Ullus Gudder's Grandson Michael. I have been trying to aquire photographs and/or memerobilia of the gas stations for several years now, with no luck. If anyone has any please let me know.
Post from ????? (6/28/2009)
In response to Gloria's post of a few days ago, I had a favorite song with each boy I dated, but my favorite was 1963, Travelin Man by Rick Nelson, I dated a guy for a long time I was crazy about him but he wasn't the most loyal boyfriend I ever had. I think I am the only person that has posted that grew up in Clayton. My mom was a salesperson at Scruggs Vandervoort and Barney on the corner of Forsyth and Hanley. We lived in an apt. right off Wydown Blvd., it was a dead end street called Forest Court, the Wydown Market was on the corner and at the corner of Wydown and Hanley was Glazer Drugstore which is now a Starbucks I think. I love reading everyones stories, but I am not familiar with a lot of parts of town. I went to grade school at St. Joseph's in Clayton on Meramac and Maryland. I used to walk down to Woolworths after school on Forsyth and get a coke for a nickel and then walk down to the dept. store to meet my mom when she woudl finish work. Hey all you Clayton people, write in some memories.
Post from Tracy Lyons Frost (7/3/2009)
In response to Laura (Horn) Nordin--- The Flaming Pit restaurant was on West Florissant---I lived right behind it in those apts that are still there. I went back for my 35th reunion from McCluer last year. I live in Forida now. I went driving in the old apt. complex. I parked, walked around. I guess I looked a 'lil' out of place and a nice gal asked if I was lost. I told her I grew up there in high school, long story short, she lived in our EXACT apt. She invited me in to see the old place. Avocado green carpet and applicances are gone, but otherwise the same.
Post from Gloria (7/3/2009)
Glazers is now Starbucks at least for a while. I use to shop in Clayton all the time. At. one time I lived in University City, I'd take the bus to Maplewood, shop there for a while, on the way back I'd take the bus to Clayton and shop.

We had a favorite song "our song" it was True Love Ways by Ricky Nelson. A few years ago I tried to find this song and had a very hard time finding the original.

I guess everyone knows the story about Rick Nelson's come back and the incident at Madison Square Gardens. That was his reason for writing Garden Party. Well he was so determined to sing the way he wanted to sing and not the old Ricky songs, so he re-recorded all of his hit records and tried to sell them.

His second time recording True Love Ways was not as good as the first recording,I found out that he took all of the songs he did when he was a teenager off the market, you cannot buy them now.

Buddy Holley wrote and recorded the song in 1958, but Ricky Nelson sang it better.

In response to Lauren Nordin 06/26/09: The Trio had such delicious food, my favorite was the roast beef sandwich and for desert half of a cantaloupe with a scope of ice cream. I can't remember if it was open twenty-four hours or not.

I remember the stories about the Blue Bird Tavern and Shoppers Fair and the Ben Franklin (my favorite store) and wasn't there a drug store by the name of Stone's Drug Store there also.

I had several close friends who live in Bel Nor in the 50"s and 60's. My Aunt still attends St. Ann's church.

You have some great memories, thanks for sharing.
Post from Lynn (7/3/2009)
How I love reading the St. Louis Memories. Especially those from people who were teenagers during the 60's. Those were great times. Cruising in the fabulous Muscle Cars and listening to KXOK. I'd love to hear from more people who grew up in the Tower Grove area. I lived in Tower Grove Heights and attended Roosevelt…Class of 72. Grand Ave. was our stomping grounds and we practically lived in Tower Grove Park. We spent a lot of time across the Park in the 39th St. district too. There was a Church over there that held Friday night dances. It was called "Hole in the Wall." Anyone else remember going to those? It was always so special when the local band "The Younger Brothers" played.

I will always remember spending Saturday's Downtown. Downtown was swinging back in the late 60's. Anyone else remember going down to see Johnny Rabbit broadcast from the Stix..or maybe it was Famous. Can't recall now.

Drag racing on Hall Street! Going to Ted Drewes. Eating at the White Castle on Grand & Gravois and if we had enough money, we'd go to the Steak n Shake on Morganford or even better, out to Chuck a Burger.

I remember riding the bus out Chippewa to the Super Slide by Grandpa Pigeons. Always found cute boys out there! At the end of August, Mom would take us school clothes shopping to Korvettes, Cherokee St. or Southtown Famous in the bargain basement. I remember the great stores on Grand Ave. Fischer Shoes, Mavrakos Candy, Woolworths, La Merite Bridal, The Libson Shop, The Shangri La Restaurant, Grand Bowl, The Ritz Theater, Tilmans Restaurant, Kingsway…so many.

I'm in Michigan now, but still get back "Home" about once every couple years. So good to see the old neighborhood coming back. Can only hope Roosevelt will do the same. Sad to see that once beautiful school deteriorate. Cherokee was a shock to see also.

Would love to hear from folks who remember those sweet times of 1965-70.
Post from Jim "THE DAD" Keith (7/3/2009)
Old songs, bringing back a moment in time and a memory of someone special. Back in the 50's, south St. Louis, Shaw neighborhood, Sherman School...I recall Pat Boone's "APRIL LOVE" and Debbie Reynolds, "TAMMY" and reminds me of a "girlfriend" named Carol that, to this year, I still call on her birthday. As a part-time comedian, I was offered the opportunity to be Pat Boone's opening act at Arnold's Rickman Auditorium. I invited Carol to attend the show....with MY family. I introduced Pat to Carol, the girl I held hands with and listened to, "April Love." He was so gracious and kind to all of us.

Later in the late 50's-early 60's, I had a crush on a girl who lived near GOODY GOODY, I worked there as a Curb Boy for a short time and Jean and I would sit in there and listen to, " A SUMMER PLACE " over and over..........that was 1960. She moved away and I lost contact.............I went into the Marines and over ALL these years, I've wondered about Jean and her life. About 4 years ago, via Ancestry I found Jean and her family. For her birthday, for fun, WE all went back to GOODY GOODY. I brought along a small tape player that looks like an old bubble Juke Box.......and with my daughter's help, we made a tape of, "A SUMMER PLACE" and while we had lunch, that song played..........just like it did 45 years before. The Connelly's of Goody Goody, made that a very SPECIAL day for all of us.
Post from Wayne R (7/3/2009)
In response to Michael's post about Ullus Gudder. What a small world. Ullus was my Great Uncle. My mothers Aunt Ann (on her mother's side of the family) married Ullus. I recall that Ullus and Ann had two children --- Stanley and Linda. I believe that they are both living outside of Missouri at this time.

Sorry that I don't have any memorabilia or pictures of Star Service. At tone time Ullus and his brother George owned over 140 service stations. I wonder if Stanley or Linda or one of the other family members may have something in the way of pictures or memorabilia.
Post from Selma Harris (7/5/2009)
I stumbled on this web site by accident and am sure glad that I did. I went to Scruggs grade school in South St. Louis and graduated from there in 1948 and went to Cleveland High School. My name is now Selma Harris, but my maiden name was Selma Ann Ruch. I remember so many of the things I have read on your website. I especially loved the White Castle hamburgers. If anyone went to Scruggs School. from 1940 to 1948 or to Cleveland High school from 1948 to 1952 I would love to hear from them..I now reside in Lynwood, California and am recently widowed. [email protected]
Post from ??? (7/12/2009)
Thanks to Tracy Lyons Frost and to Mark for their posts on the Blue Bird and The Flaming Pit. I had a similar experience to you Tracy. In 1987ish the house I grew up in in Bel Nor on Arlmont went on the market and for kicks, my husband and I went and took a look at it. There were so many memories that I nearly cried, little nooks and crannies and smells and touches that I hadn’t perceived in years, I was nearly tear-struck. I have no idea what that real estate agent must have thought as I walked around and caressed the fireplace mantle. LOL

Someone else mentioned Goody Goody – I remember it also, with a big root beer neon sign in front. We would go there in my moms 58 Buick – it was a big treat for us kids.

On a “is it only me that remembers doing this” note: Does anyone remember the Bug Spray trucks that came through the neighborhood at dusk during the summer? They would fog the area for mosquitoes with DDT. We used to run behind the truck!!!!

Also, someone remembered the Big Slide in South County, we also had one on St. Charles Rock Road. There was one on Lindbergh near I70 also. I can’t recall – was there anything else with them, or were they just Big Slides?

Anyone remember when water slides were all the rage? I remember one in Florissant at Halls Ferry and Lindbergh, if memory serves. There was an outbreak of them in the early 70’s, they cropped up all over the place. Some were fiberglass and had seams at the joins, and there were cement ones built in to hills. I remember them, don't remember where they were.

Thanks again for all the great posts and terrific memories!
Post from Angie - [email protected](7/12/2009)

1959 Steak and Shake Chippewa "old Route 66" "Skating Carhop"

My dad's name is Dan Mooney. He lived in Arkansas but spent the summer of '59 with relatives in St. Louis. He was the first roller skating carhop at the Chippewa "Steak and Shake" in 1959. He had the far corner lot and asked if he could wear his skates. The manager was afraid he would waste product but reluctantly let him try roller skating. He started on a Friday night and everyone loved it. Then on Saturday night all the cars were in his area of the lot. He said his busiest nights were Wednesday after church when he could clear $70 in tips. He would jump and spin around in the air with a tray of burgers. He already knew the tricks because of another job working at a skating rink. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers my dad's carhopping or better yet... has a photo!
Post from ME in VA (7/18/2009)
I do remember the trucks that fogged for mosquitoes every summer. We would ride our bikes in the fog behind the trucks. How healthy!

I also remember the very heavy summer rains. In Florissant our street would flood and all the kids would put on their bathing suits and play in the flooded streets in the warm summer rain. It's a wonder one of us was not swept down the storm drains.

During these storms we would also loose our electricity and the streets would be dark for hours. Everyone would move their lawn chairs to the street and sit around and talk. There were very few houses in air-conditioning in those days so everyone had chairs.
Post from Carol Cox Hartford, [email protected] (7/18/2009)
I grew up 50's in St. Louis. Actually Sth St. Louis. In the Clinton Peabody Projects. We shopped on Cherokee Ave and down town St. Louis. We played in Lafayette Park. We went to Forest Park Highlands. We visited the Jewel Box, Muni Opera. We sledded down Art hill on icy cold days. Clinton Peabody back then had a really good school. The teachers were wonderful. We ate at Walgreens drug store. And shopped for groceries at Kroger. We went to the zoo. We went to the Merry Widow theater on Saturday for the matinee. We had ice cream at Ted Drews. We shopped on Saturday at Soulard Market. Stan Kann played the organ on local tv.. And in the Fox Theatre on Washington, Lowes State Theatre. Palm Theatre off of Sth Kings highway. The Veiled Prophet Parade and Ball. All of downtown decorated for Christmas. And seeing the automated toy displays in the windows, with trains and dolls. Roses market a block from the projects. When I was five my phone number was Forest 1234. And when we moved to the Projects we had a party line because it was cheaper. We had four daily newspapers at that time. Gas was ten cents a gallon, with a fill up you got dishes, or IBC root beer. We still had polio for awhile. And at school we gave money to the March of Dimes to find a cure. Finally Jonas Salk did.

We shopped at Famous Barr. We had vendors that sold out of their carts, like tamales and shoes and vegetables. Across the street on 14th street were the houses and apartments lived people we called scrubby Dutch because they kept their steps scrubbed so clean. The project was kept very well and never vandalism. Many people had gardens including my mother. For special occasions we ate at Bevo Mill. We shopped downtown at Blusteins for formals. We went bare foot all summer. We played out until it got dark in the summer with out friends in front of our house.. There was a kind of unwritten rule that as long as the parents stayed out an talked then we could play. Hide and seek, red rover, war, and cowboys and indians, and roller skating with a skate key around my neck on a string. Those skates kept slipping off my shoes. And I caught lightening bugs in a jar.

We watched wrestling at St. Louis House. And they did rehearse. We used to peep in the window and watch on Saturday afternoon. There was the oldest social place called Kingdom House, it was the oldest settlement house in the US. They taught cooking, I took piano lessons there. There was the Holy Angels Church right next to the projects. Father William J. Pepperling was a priest there. The Church sponsored bingo games. And right across 14th street was Lasalle Street Baptist Church. The project had several playgrounds for children. At that time the projects had single mothers, interns from the hospitals, police and blue collar, bookkeepers and couples just starting out. It was a mixed population. Some middle east decendents, catholics, greeks, italians, irish a few from Puerto Rico. There were no gangs, no drugs, no graffiti. The grounds were kept up. And if you forgot to lock up at night, you could live through it. I listened to Johnny Rabbit. On tv there was Charlotte Peters, Gil Newsome. McKinley High School. Rosata Kain. Roosevelt High School. Childrens Hospital, Barnes Hospital. Benton School on Sth Kingshighway. Velvet Freeze. Ice skating in Forest Park. Boat rides in the Park. Spending a day on the Admiral boat parked on the river front. Carondolet Park. Pee wee park on 14th st. Gravois Ave.

We could go to White Castle at night in our PJ's from a pajama party. White Castle hamburgers were 9 cents each. We called them gut bombers. We played stick ball, dodge ball, jacks, hop scotch. In the county there was Woodson Terrace and the Gem theatre. Wellston for shopping. Ritenour Jr. High. 5 cent bottles of coke. Hobo Sandwiches. . Wellston High School. Bobby socks, and poodle skirts. Petticoats. And wearing a fine piece of window screen to make the skirts stick out. The fad got to be so much that the hardware store could not keep enough screens in stock of that certain kind. Sportsmans Park, Bush Stadium. The St. Louis Browns, a terrible team. The St.Louis Cardinals. The Chase Hotel, and their Zodiak roof, for an elegant night club. Casa Loma Ballroom, where I first saw Johnny Mathis at 19 years old. He was so young. The Crystal Palace in the city for roller skating. Favorite singers at that time. Doris Day, Gogi Grant, Georgia Gibbs, Frankie Laine, Mathis, Rosemary Clooney, Jo Stafford. Elvis, Eddie Fisher. And at the start of rock and roll back then, dozens of singing groups and rock bands. We had sock hops in the school gym. And we used hand jive to music.

You went to school to learn. And you did. If you caused trouble back then, the teacher would look you in the eye and say, "don't make me call your parents." And it was enough to keep us in line. We had phys. ed three times a week followed by showers. Arithmetic, History, Geography, Music, Reading, Spelling and spent a year on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. And every year the first of May, we girls danced around a May pole. My life was not heaven of course. But I had a good grounding. And my kids didn't have it nearly as good.
Post from Barbie-Lew (7/18/2009)
Hi Youse :)
I remember well the old Flamming Pit Restraunt.
It actually had a flamming pit inside.
I remember often going there as a kid. I think on tuesday, kids ate free...
My brother would always order two kids burger platers..I remember the burgers being almost round.
My sister Annie would always get grilled cheese. lol.
I would get a burger..and not be able to finish it.
But......my little sister.....Mary Catherine....would order a mini filet mingnon steak and lobster.......and scarf.
The resteraunt also had a treasure chest for kids...
Reach in and grab a prize.
Gosh, thanks for the great reminder.
Spent many a time swimmign at Holiday Hilll Pool. I remember there was a really High Dive, Medium Dive, and low dive.
Mostly though, we swam at the old Y.M.C.A. on Bermuda Road. Today a church and I think retirement home right at Hwy 70.
Down Bermuda was the Little Store. " As we called it." Probobly though the proper name was mentioned in an eralier post.
BTW. Goodie, Goodie is still open!!
Post from Sue (Strickler) McCormick (7/21/2009)
I just found this site — it is wonderful! But all of you folks are just too young! You are sharing my children's memories.

South St. Louis in the 30s and 40s: First the Compton Heights area around "Reservoir Park;" before the reservoirs were paved over in the 40s, you could climb up a stair way and look into the waters. Before 1932, the stand pipe (the "Rapunzel"-style tower at the Shaw and Grand) was open. We climbed up the tower and looked down on the two holding tanks. There was a caretaker there who told me that the north tank was for the hot water and the south tank held the cold water. I knew he was teasing, but it was years before I figured out why! But I can be forgiven, since I wasn't yet five.

The original Grone cafeteria, at the corner of Lafayette and Grand. I remember going there on Thursday night for supper. My father would reminisce about the war (World War I) with one of the younger Grones. My father was the principal of Hodgen School in those days, so I also remember a little bit and Jefferson and Lafayette and the Lafayette park area. Hodgen went to the Highlands on the street cars; the special picnic cars went through the switching yards to get from Park Avenue to the tracks on Oakland. (My father then became principal of Mullanphy School in the 1950s and was still there when he died in 1964). In 1932 we moved to Lindenwood and I started grade school there. We played our games like Red Rover in the street. One kid on each side was the look-out, and would yell "car" whenever one came up or down the hill — of course all the drivers knew the kids would be there, and drove slowly, so we had plenty of time to scatter.

When the streetlights would come on, we would all get very quiet, hoping our folks wouldn't notice (of course, as a mother, I learned that was a dead giveaway, but what did kids know!). Sure enough, a mother would stick her head out the door and yell "lights" and all the kids would go home. That was the signal in Lindenwood, which persisted through the 1960s when my children went to Lindenwood School.

As to the street lights, my earliest memories (1927 to 1932) are of electric street lights in the Compton Heights area. But when we move to Lindenwood, there were gas lights, and I remember the Lamplighter coming around with his torch to light them. And sometimes with a stool so he could climb up to remove and polish the bulb. I think we had the gaslights until about 1937.

I went to College at Harris Teachers College, corner of Theresa and Park, before it was Harris-Stowe, before that was Harris-Stowe State College. I did my apprentice teaching at Horace Mann, but I don't remember the names of the teachers who were there at that time. I do remember that they were all very helpful to a green, very scared student teacher.

Enough for now.
Post from Carol Cummings Barbee - [email protected](7/31/2009)
I'm looking for any distant relatives of Tom & Ruth Cummings, George & Emma Cummings, Thomas W. & Lavinia Cummings, Leila & Millard Bingham, Samuel & Mary Booker. I was born in St. Louis in 1940 & my family moved to CA in 1949. I'm very interested in family history, but most of my family is deceased. I'd love to find someone who is still around! That would be fun!
Post from Michael J. Soehngen, 7707 Sunray, St. Louis, MO 63123, 314-842-3966 (7/31/2009)
What a great site and great memories...love it. And to add to Walnut Park memories that Walt Klein and Larry Eder so wonderfully cited -- Can't forget playing in Sheenie Hollow too! And Klatt Bros vs Oldani's -- what a memory. My Mom shopped at Oldani's even though she was German. Go figure. Back to Klatt Bros market...next door was the dry cleaners, then Ellerbrocks (Dad would splurge and let me buy a couple of long johns after I served 6:00 Mass at St. Louise de Marillac), then the hobby shop where I would get the boxes of model airplanes. And heading south instead of north of Klatts was Rich's as Larry cited, then across the street (Thekla?) was Watts' drug story with the wonderfully nice people who owned and ran it. Oh, remember Joe the Barber on Riverview south of Walnut Park School (maybe Joe was a 60's memory). And can't forget Lombardo's at the corner of West Florissan and Riverview -- always smelled great and always had "serious" black cars parked outside. Parting memory: Remember the miniature golf place on West Florissant (west of Riverview), as well as the trampoline joint next to or in replacement of the golf place? Again, maybe both are a 60's thing.
Post from Larry C. - Lindbergh class of 1978 - U-City from 1963 to 1973 (7/31/2009)
The old Westover and Ritter nurseries were across the street until they were bulldozed and made into a Target store. We would also watch organized street hockey being played there at the Target a few years later on Sunday’s when everything was closed.
The Bettendorf’s grocery store that was turned into an international car dealership that sold Jaguar cars.
Playing street hockey at night on the Citizens Bank parking lot…..great games!
Sitting at the counter at the Steak & Shake getting the free water and cinnamon toothpicks and flirting with the pretty car hops.
Watching the old cleaner’s burn down that was just a couple blocks west of 82nd street on Olive Blvd.
The Fine Arts theatre that showed Fritz the Cat for years before it was sold and turned into a church.
Shagging golf balls out of the woods next to Ruth Park and selling them back to the golfers for a quarter and then later on being a caddy there.
The day McDonalds opened on Olive Blvd. and Ronald McDonald was there.
Going to day camp during the summer at Blackberry Elementary school.
The big fire at the pet store in Jefferies Plaza next to the Spencer 5 and dime store.
The day that one of my dad’s best friends who was a U-City policeman was killed when he interrupted a robbery at the old Clark gas station on Olive Blvd. That was the first time I ever saw my dad cry. Very sad.
Walking down Olive Blvd to Spangler’s bike shop or to the Exotic Pet store or getting free flashlights or batteries with a coupon at the Radio Shack.
Having your mom yell from the back porch when the first streetlights lit up at night to come home and the big neighborhood games of Midnight or Hide and go seek. Sometimes you would have 10 to 15 kids playing.
The old County Hospital on Brentwood. With a family of 6 kids they got to know us on sight! We had the old cast iron radiators which sometimes our heads would make contact with while wrestling like they did on Wrestling at the Chase on Sunday Mornings after church.
Sledding during the winter in Ruth Park Golf Course and trying to avoid the fire at the bottom of the big hill. Just the amount of snow we used to get back then!
U-City firemen hanging on to the back of the fire truck on the way to an alarm.
Spending hours at the old U-City library on Kingsland before they opened the new one…and remembering how big and impressive the new library was when it opened.
The Santa Maria down at the Arch and the old mine sweeper.
Crestwood 1973 and onward
The old putt-putt golf center next to Lindburg Cadillac
Bowling at Crestwood lanes before electronic scoring!
Cruising Friday and Saturday nights at the Steak & Shake and McDonalds on South Lindbergh
CB radios
The smorgasbord at Lindbergh and Watson….Toy R Us is located there now.
EJ Korvetts and Sunset Restaurant and complaining about how crappy their parking lot was
Foghat at the old Route 66 drive-in and sneaking in over the fence in the back parking lot and trying not to get caught by security
Looking through the little window at the DJ at Kshe’s office next to the drive-in and going through their dumpster to get cut-out records.
Crestwood Plaza before they enclosed it and watching the 4th of July fireworks from the parking lot.
Sneaking into Ronnie’s, 66 Park-in or South Twin in the back of a Ford Maverick.
Jumping (I watched! I was to chicken) off the top of the quarry in Whitecliff park and trying not to get caught by the old man that lived in the house next to it.
Also fishing bass and bluegill out of the same pond there at the quarry in the middle of the night.
Just walking anywhere back then and not worrying about all the creepy people.
And so, so, so, much more!
Post from Jane Desbazeilles Fletcher (8/4/2009)
It has been so much fun to read all of the memories that everyone had contributed. I grew up in North St. Louis and graduated from Beaumont High School in June, 1948. I've lived in California for over 50 years but still return to St. Louis periodically to visit family and friends. When I went to Beaumont, we always had winning teams and rivalry was fierce with Southwest. One of our favorite places for ice cream was Schaum's on the corner of Natural Bridge and Broadway (I think..) When our class had their 50th reunion, buses were provided for us to tour Beaumont, which had recently been renovated. It had been a state-of-the-art school when it was built and it was restored to it's original beauty. I have been trying to locate a friend from years ago who lived on Riverside Drive. Her name is Dottie Givan and if anyone knows her, I would so appreciate information. Speaking of Riverside Drive, I attended Bryan Hill Elementary School and our picnics used to be held at Chain Of Rocks Park; does anyone remember that place? We were taken there on double-deck buses and sceamed our lungs out as we drove there. I hope there are more postings from North St. Louis; my husband went to Central and of course we always have debates about the superority of each school. Thank you so much for providing the great memories.
Post from Linda [email protected] (8/9/2009)
I bought a great old house in Dutchtown about 17 years ago. The house is 3326 Meramec, it is the only house on the block that contains Winkleman's Drug Store. I've been digging around for some history on the place. I know it has been a boarding house at least once in it's lifetime. One of the most interesting finds is on the staircase going to the basement. It is a painting of 5 guys who look like a barbershop group called "The Gloom Chasers" (see attached pictures) Any body ever heard of them or know anything about this group? I'm so very curious about this group and how their logo arrived in my home.

Post from Dave Lossos (8/9/2009)
I was in Jefferson City over the weekend, and spotted this sign in front of the local McDonald's. I didn't think any of these existed any more. BTW, they weren't really selling burgers for 15 cents.

Post from ??? (8/11/2009)
I love this website and check it whenever I have free time and love reminiscing with everyone!
I read a post not too long ago that someone had mentioned eating at "Redwood" and the hamburgers. I have been going crazy trying to remember where it was located since I know our family too ate their and they had the best hamburgers. We are all trying to think of the location...any help would be appreciated!
We too loved "Flaming Pit" at Village Square and loved digging in the treasure chest for a present.
We also loved going to Howard Johnson's at Lewis & Clark and Jennings Station Road..no one had better clams than they did!!!
Loved "Kelly's" on Bellefontaine Road and was always a stop after playing baseball at Surrey Lane.
The best chicken was "Charlie's Chicken" at Broadway and Bellefontaine Road...chicken came in a box with tons of fries over the chicken and seems like it was $4.99 a box. Think we had that at least once a week.
Of course Romaine's next door was for Sunday dinner and miss that place!
Chili Barn on Halls Ferry was a great place for burgers besides the chili.
Does anyone remember "Johnny's Out of Town" on Halls Ferry? Never did quite understand the name of the place but the food was very good and another great place for chicken!
Halls Ferry Inn was another great hang out and the best salads and pizza!
Pete's Hole a Wall on Chambers/Halls Ferry had great food and famous for brain sandwiches.
No one had better food at the time than "Top of the Tower" and still make their spinning salad.
"Pappy's" was on North Lindbergh and they too were famous for fried chicken.
North County had some great restaurants in the 60's and 70's and think of them often!

Post from JRM living out in Honolulu (8/25/2009)
Love the St. Louis memories site. Read it as I watch the Cards and Dodgers on Dodger t.v. We get the Dodgers out in Honolulu.
To answer an earlier writer, the Biggie's in Stan & Biggies was Julius B. Garagnani better known as Biggie. He lived across the street from Stan on Westway in St. Louis Hills. Biggie died in the 70s and his son Jack took it over thereafter. My family lived down the street from both Biggie and Stan. Stan stood up for me at my confirmation at St. Raphael's circa 1963. A great guy. Thanks for the great service you provide.....oh, for some toasted raviolas or pork steaks...

Post from ME in Virginia (8/27/2009)
In reply to ??? on August 8. I remember Johnny's Out Of Town quiet well. My parents went there every Sunday for dinner for years. I was not a big fried chicken fan, but the roast beef and gravy was wonderful. I have to say, though, that my favorite item was the lima beans. I always ordered that as my side dish.
Post from Alice Z. Crosby (8/29/2009)
I just read the entries on your site and could cry! We lived in Festus, MO. When we went into "the City", there was always an argument between my brother and me over whether we were going to eat at Steak and Shake or a White Castle. We come up every year for a baseball game and an opera at the Muny. Last year I sent him a Steakburger (he lives in New Jersey, now)! I remember watching Stan Musial and Hank Aaron in Sportsman Park, Ozzie Smith et al in the "old" Busch Stadium, and was bless to be at the final game of the World Series in the new park when we won!

Every year at Christmas time we went to the Mayfair Hotel for dinner followed by looking at all the store Christmas windows (Stix, Famous, Scruggs), seeing Santa Claus and shopping. Mother always gave me the proceeds from that year's S&H Green Stamps to do my shopping.

We come at least once a year to see the Cards play (usually for the Stitch'n Pitch game) and to see something at The Muny. And to stock up on Maull's Barbecue Sauce! I remember donating quarters to help "stuff" Phil at the zoo. My husband say "they should have given him a Christian burial instead of stuffing him with quarters!" But he's from North Caronlina where they still don't have major league baseball!

Your site is great. Thanks for doing it.

PS - we have had dogs named "Willie", McGee, and Ozzie. Cards fans? Oh, yeah!
Post from Judy Holtz-Hall, South County (9/4/2009)
I grew up on S. Kingshighway and attended Our Lady of Sorrows School until 1968 when our family moved to South County off of Baptist Church Road
I can remember walking all day long with my friends during summer vacation. We would look for soda bottles to turn in at Winkelman’s pharmacy to buy penny candy and stopping in Our Lady of Sorrows church (they had air conditioning) and of course, say a few prayers….
I then attended the Lindbergh Schools (class of ’77)
I remember “Lum’s” restaurant on Gravois and Lindbergh (great foot long dogs with cheese)
I remember Tennessee Jed’s on Watson near Laclede Station Road and I believe they had a location where the Bartolino’s South restaurant is now
Then there was the “Taco Tico” in Yorkshire Plaza, great tacos and haven’t had one like that since
We would go to the Crest Theatre in Affton on Gravois or the Crestwood Theatre and the Mark Twain. One show only and balconys too. Most of the kids would ride their bikes!
We would usually walk to Concord Pool and stop at the Woolworth’s in Concord Plaza to buy fries and a soda (of course we would chip in to get one order)
On Saturday nights when I was much younger, my parents would take us to Ronnie’s Drive-In (we would already be in our pajamas) and my mom would have a brown paper bag full of home made popcorn and a cooler of soda. We would ride the kiddie rides and then after the movie started we usually fell asleep in the back seat! I remember the long line to get in to the drive in and the huge multi colored marquis…I would love to see a picture of that again!
In junior high, Crestwood Plaza was the place to go on Friday nights (before it was enclosed) We would hang out by the fountain in front of Stix (Dillard’s) and get an Orange Julius or run in to Woolworth (2 levels) and get our pictures taken in the photo booth, I have a photo album full of those pictures still!
Post from Jerry Fitzpatrick (9/4/2009)
Grew up in St.Louis and lived on Bellevue Ave in Richmond Heights. Went to St. Lukes & CBC High.Spent many evenings at Parkmoor on Clayton & Big Bend and Steak n Shake on Brentwood. Movies at Esquire, Hi-Pointe and Maplewood as well as the Manchester Drive-in and 66 Park In with Coral Courts just down the street(how convenient). Remember Velvet Freeze on Big Bend, Burns Buick and Cavalier Ford on Big Bend & Manchester. Going east on Manchester thru "downtown" Maplewood Katz Drugs, Goldies Dept store and Western Auto along with many others. Anyone remember Crestwood Gardens on Southwest? Live in Vegas now, but many great memories of time in St. Louis including Gaslight Square!
Post from ???? (9/5/2009)
I did not realize what a special place St. Louis/St. Louis County was until I moved away. I have lived in Tampa for 27 years now but my St. Louis memories are special. Most of all it was a great place to grow up. Here goes:
1. Going to Miss Hullings with my dad before we walked over to a Cardinals game. We made it to every opening day game for about 10 years.
2. Hodge's Chili Parlor.......What an amazing place......If Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives had only been around then!!!
3. Before 6 Flags was around we would go to Holiday Hill near the airport on Brown Road. To me, as a little boy, it was like Disneyland. My sister sang the jingle for Holiday Hill.....Remember: "Everyday's a holiday at Holiday Hill!"
4. Going to Northwest Plaza (when it was THE shopping center in the midwest) and walking around in the cold just to see the beautiful Christmas Lights.
5. Does anyone remember Pino's Pizza on Lindbergh near Midland Blvd? The best pizza ever! By the way, no city does pizza like St. Louis. Serra's Pizzaria on McKelvey is still there and still serves an amazing pie!
6. Going to Velvet Freeze was a real treat!
7. Watching Corky the Clown, Captain 11, and many others......We only got 3-4 TV stations but they always had something great on. Remember when Channel 30 was something new? UHF???
8. My dad worked at The Diamond Shop and, later, Hamilton Jewelers downtown. I remember meeting Joe Medwick at Hamilton Jewelers one time.
9. Watching the cows across the street. We lived at Jennings Sta. Road and Halls Ferry. Later they would build River Roads Mall there.
10. I worked at River Roads Mall at Hess & Culbertson Jewelers from the time I was 16 until I turned 19. What a great spot.......Stix, Baer and Fuller's Steamboat Room served the most amazing cheeseburgers!
11. Another special memory is sitting around during the holidays listening to my uncle, Tom Erbe, talk about the old days of professional soccer in St. Louis. He ended up in the St. Louis Old Timers Soccer Hall of Fame and he was so proud of that.
12. Corkball......Not played anywhee else to my knowledge.
13. My sister would often sing on The Admiral (in the ballroom) and we would go watch her and I would end up walking around the arcade deck with a roll of quarters playing pinball and the other games.
14. July 4th at Washington University's football field watching the fireworks.
15. Special times growing up in Maryland Heights and going to Pattonville.
16. Going to The Top of Tower restaurant on Lewis & Clark Blvd. with my dad and sister and being treated like royalty by Joe and Gus Rizzo (the owners). I miss that spinning salad!
I could write all day but I will leave it at this for now......I love your website!
Post from [email protected] (9/11/2009)
Mr. Lossos - I would like to start off by thanking you for providing this forum. You have helped to bring up not only fond memories, but emotions that are hard to put into words. Thank you sir.
The time frame of the "Memories" I will speak of would be from about 1948 to 1958.
The St Louis area would be what is known as Old North St Louis. To be more specific, the area roughly is Salisbury St (N) Cass Avenue (S) Broadway (E) and Grand Avenue (W).
My schools were : (Grades Schools) Webster School, Ames School, Jackson School, and Central High School.
The Ice man - we followed his horse and wagon to get ice in the summer - he usually gave us pieces of ice.
In the summer we would put a small sign in the winter telling him how many pounds of ice to deliver ( about half the times, up steps). The signs could be turned to specify how much ice we needed ( 25 Lbs - 40 Lbs - 50 Lbs? etc).
If you turned these signs over, the opposite side could be used to let the Coal Man know how many pounds of coal to bring up in the winter.
The Knife sharpening man - Had a bell that rang with the spinning of the wheels of his push cart.
The Rag Man - Had a call that went something like this " Anga de anga ang ang de yang" (those who were there will remember).
The Tamale man - Elmers Hot Tamales if I remember correctly. His call was " RED HOT!" Being mischievous boys we would try to time his call, and just before his call we would yell " How's your wife?" Hoping he would say "Red Hot". But he soon got wise to us and when he heard our call, he would reply " Like your sister". So we soon gave up that source of "fun".
The Paper Boys call. The one I remember mostly is "ORING OOOO (Morning Globe). I also remember one of the boys had a voice, much like the late Sam Cooke -- he would sing out very distinctly, with music in his voice " Sunday Mooooorning Post and Gloooobe".
When I was about 9 or 10, I also tried my hand at paper selling. I didn't make much, but 45 cents in those days, would last a week. We would pick up our papers in a little ramshackle shed on North Market and Blair, the old guy who was the manager, his name was Vojue (pronounced VOJ). One of the fascinations of life at that time was watching how fast he could count coins, mostly pennies.
There were also various peddlers who came around in horse and wagon, or sometimes even trucks, usually selling produce of some kind or another.
The peddler who I remember the most was an old bald headed Italian fellow, with a large moustache. We knew him as Jelly Apple Joe. He did sell jelly apples, but by far, his most favored product was what we called Icy Ices, - today known as snow cones. He would have a large block of ice, and would manually scrape it into flakes, and put into a cardboard cup and fill it with a grape, cherry or orange syrup. If he were alive today, he would probably be 125 years old or so. I haven't seen him in about almost 60 years but I still miss him.
The winters in St Louis were spent by going to school, and trying to stay warm. The poorest of us, like my family lived in three room apartments, up or downstairs, no matter how many children were in the family. During this time there were seven of us, including my parents. We had a front room, a kitchen, and a middle room.
I was born on 13th and Clinton, and lived at 1903 Benton, 2207 Hadley, 1615 North 25th Street, and 1102 Montgomery. Also lived for a short time on Buchanan Street and Baden Street, and with my aunt on 14th Street.
The center of my North St Louis world was no doubt 14th Street. Between North Market and St Louis Avenue. This was a sort of mini-shopping mall. Stores I remember: FW Woolworths, JJ Newberrys, JC Penneys, Sobles Clothing, Russo shoe repair, Marx hardware, Parks Drug Store and across the street either 905 Drugs or Sun Drugs, for some reason, both names come to mind.
The jewel of the area, 14th street and St Louis Avenue was Crown Candy. I knew the three people who ran Crowns personally, Harry, who opened up Crowns in 1913, Pete, his brother who always studied the racing forms, and George, the son, who always called me "cousin" for some reason. Crowns was "it". Romances, probably countless. Too many for me to relate at this time -- I had a couple perhaps, but knew of many, many more. I also could gamble there. Pin ball machine would pay off - five in a line paid 94 nickles. George would let me have a roll of nickels ( 2.00) until payday -- At the time I worked at McKinley pharmacy, delivery boy for $15.00 a week. I was 13 or so.
Super Sandwich shop on N Florissant and St Louis Avenue. Hamburgers 25 cents. ( too expensive for me)
Sams Pool hall (later Hanks) on 19th and St Louis.
Banjo and Nicks Restaurant on 25th and St Louis ( Full course Chicken, pork, or beef dinners, 50 cents).
The Bath House - St Louis Ave between Hadley and 13th. (Pennies for soap and towel).
Bar and Barbecue place - I forgot the name, half a block west of Crowns. They had an outdoor garden, like a German place that you could eat and drink beer outside. I remember the taste of those barbecued hamburgers -- gone forever I fear.
Cleaners and Shoe Shine parlor between the Barbecue place and Crowns. I worked there as a shoe shine boy for a period - memory not too sharp, but I think just before I got the job delivering medicine for McKinley Pharmacy.
A young "tough' that was new to the area, fellow everyone called Tex, about 16 - 17 years old was playing the pin ball machine in the aforementioned shoe shine parlor, a man came in, put a shot gun to his head, and blew his head off. Story at the time was that Tex had apparently burglarized a safe belonging to a local "mobster" .
Another sad, but should be told incident, was one that involved the boy friend of a waitress at Crowns.
She was a beautiful young woman from Southeastern Missouri who my cousin knew but I didn't and she and a young fellow named Johnny Dyer became romantically involved. My cousin Roy and I were at a booth in Crowns one night, and he kept saying, "isn't she the most beautiful girl, etc etc etc.' But no one made moves on her because of Johnny Dyer. Strong as a bull, and rightly or wrongly had a reputation, that you had better stay away from him .
Long story short - Johnny who was VERY popular at Crowns, burglarized a store in North St Louis, off duty policeman was somehow notified by the store owner, gunfire was exchanged, policeman and Johnny both died of gunshot wounds.
The older guys who hung around Crowns, the ones old enough to go into bars, got drunk for several days. Sadness hung over the area for a long time. I am relating this just in case others who remember this might be reading what I am saying,. Especially Johnnys brother, Walter Dyer, who I played pool with many times in Sams pool hall.
My friends in North St Louis, (Chronologically I think)
1947 - Gary Taylor
1948 - Judy Deutchmandy ( 25th street)
1950 - 1953 - Charles Faris, Richard Gilchrist (and brother Ralph) Jerry Baker, Dale Harris, Nancy Jackson, Suzzane Jackson, Donna Ong, my first love, Margaret (forgot last name) Anthony Puzo, Tommy Ventimiglia, George Schmeed
1954 - Tom Brogan, Mike Rooney, the other Mike ( we four were a quartet, name was The Travelers, sang " Come Go With Me")
Last but not least, my last friend from St Louis, Jimmy Stephens, who I last saw in the summer of 1963 ....
Post from ?????? (9/21/2009)
I am looking for someone who might recall a large water fountain in the Webster Groves area which was located in front of a place that sold Ice Cream. I thought it was right around the intersection of Big Bend & Lockwood and that it was called by the same name as one of the major St. Louis Dairy’s such as Pevely. The fountain was a sight to behold back in the 50’s because it was a large fountain consisting of several different tiered water features with ever changing colored lights.
Post from ?????? (9/22/2009)
I can remember a water fountain at the corner of Big Bend and Gore Avenues right before the railroad track when I was a tennager in the late sixties. As I recall, it was a large fountain. The Art of Entertaining is located there now.
Post from ?????? (10/1/2009)
I can remember a water fountain at the corner of Big Bend and Gore Avenues right before the railroad track when I was a tennager in the late sixties. As I recall, it was a large fountain. The Art of Entertaining is located there now.
I love this site.
Post from ?????? (10/1/2009)
I can't remember when, but at one time, maybe late 40's early 50's Pevely Dairy had a place on the south side of Forsyth at Jackson in Clayton. They had a very large water fountain with colored lights. Ice cream was served by car hops.
Post from Jim Frank (10/1/2009)
Dave, I grew up in St. Louis, b.1939, went to Beaumont H.S. 3 yrs, graduated Affton 57. I now live in Texas. I recently published a memoir about growing up in the “inner City”, various locations off Broadway about 1 mile north of Arch. It is titled “From the Foot of Destrehan Street” “A journey through a challenging childhood”. I have a web page summarizing the book www.fromfootofdestrehanstreet.com . If one takes the bike and hike trail along the river, when they get to McKinley Bridge, they are at the foot of Destrehan Sttreet….the place where my bother and I lived in a shack for 3 years with grandparents. (Post WWII circumstance). I have been talking to Jane Henderson at the St. Louis Post Dispatch, and she says is going to have a brief article about it. Unless one has notoriety it does not get much publicity….even though it has a lot about the culture, integration, race issues, and the YMCA (I credit Camp Lakewood leadership with turning my life around). Maybe you can help…..although I have a friend who has as her mission to get me on Ophra….who knows? The book is published by Xlibris, is available from them, or Amazon. Not yet in other houses. If anyone in St. Louis would like to buy one, they can connect up with me at [email protected] I have both hard back and soft back, and might be a tad cheaper.
I enjoyed reading all the comments….my wife and I just retuned from St. Louis….wife attended 50th reunion at Brentwood.
Post from ?????? (10/7/2009)
North St Louis in the forties and fifties was a wonderful place, especially if you were a child in a loving family. My earliest memories were living at 4730 West Florissant , across from Bellfontaine Cemetery. Street car tracks ran along there in those days. It was a city street and sidewalk where we all played. The Quality dairy was in the next block, with horse drawn milk wagons. My early memory was leaning that the milk men would stop their wagon next to their personal car along Florissant. The cream was diluted into a gallon jug in their trunk. It was during WWII so I guess cream was at a premium. I don't remember war production stamps that limited your purchases, but I do seem to remember that a relative was a cab driver and would have auto related stamps for us...tires, gasoline, etc.. Many men worked at Krey Packing at night to preserve their draft status. We often fed the horses at the Quality dairy barn some carrot tops... they would be brought out of the stable so that we could treat them. The milk wagons would return to the Dairy around mid-afternoon. If it was a hot day our call for "ICE" shouted would bring a small block of ice out the back of the wagon in the next block. It would roll into the gutter and collect sand and leaves, which could be removed by brushing unless it was a hot day, and then the block was smashed on the sidewalk and eaten grit and all. I was always particularly fond of a cherry tree behind the funeral parlor a few doors West. In season, sour cherries were a great pleasure if you could sit up in the tree and eat your fill. The next building West of the funeral parlor was a cigarette vending machine supplier, where cartons were broken down into cigarette packs for delivery. Around Christmas their trash storage area between buildings was memorable...decorative cigarette cartons opened and stacked by the case for our play. We once found several hundreds of dollars stuffed between the waste cartons of a Pall Mall Christmas gift stack of cartons intended no doubt for an employee's after hours retrieval. Do you remember your mother and father saying they were going to put money that you found or otherwise acquired away in an account in the bank? I never saw it again, and I'll bet many of the readers found money disappeared in this way. Speaking of money, my father's mother and father would save pennies in a Folger's coffee can for my "shoes". We weren't poor, so I guess it reflects how German thriftiness of my grandparents expressed itself long after the need to be particularly thrifty. Sometimes I would sneak five cents out of the can for a Brock's mint candy bar at the neighborhood grocery a block away. This would be repeated over and over until I was discovered. The store was called "Sorg's" grocery. Remember going to the store daily for the evening meal and buying whatever he had that day. I would venture to say that today our pantry has nearly as much food in stock as the little grocery. My mother was like many women of her age, German and very pretty. She drove a car a few times until she delivered a large bowl of home-made soup to her sister Marge. Uncovered, It never arrived, of course, and she gave up driving. I think those large diameter steering wheels were needed for leverage, and the strength to move the clutch petal was beyond many women's ability. She would take me on the street car to an area near the Tower theater at Grand and W Florissant for a movie..."Bambi" was my first movie... she said I cried and was frightened by some of it. We sometimes stopped at a bar on the way home for a take-out Chop Suey... a block away at W Florissant and Shreve. The look of the paper carton with wormy strings and the appearance of blood in the soy sauce would make a six year old resistant to even the slightest taste. My mother and father traveled throughout the country before I was born, but were unfortunate enough to have a retarded child several years after me, and that was the end of their exterior life. In those days times were very different... guilt, and shame were the result of having a handicapped child. Does anyone remember St Englebert's school, well I think it is still there. The nun's were good to us. They were surely narrow in their world...we had kid's crying and distraught over tales of the world ending shortly, but they meant well. They just forgot that at age seven, kids believe nearly everything. I remember the paper drives... and the piano lessons that didn't take... kids don't practice during lunch hour, despite whatever they report. I had promised my mother that I would try to be a pianist, but after what seemed like several years, she gave up, just as I had after the first month. Recitals featuring solo "Turkey in the straw" and "Goodnight Irene" compositions were my musical downfall. I do remember several girls trapping me at age seven on the way to school and doing something to me that made me try to hide and skip school... my mother dragged me to the head priest's office instantly, and the girls were never seen again. I have not been able to remember what was going on, but it was certainly terrifying. The walk to school was about a mile with many great memories...particularly the coal smoke smell in the Fall. Walking to school in that neighborhood was better than school. Steam engines and rail road tracks to cross. Many friends, one of which went on to head the May Company years later, but I never did meet him again after age ten. He and I and another kid were the three musketeers of the playground...sharpening popsicle sticks and pretending to stab each other. St Engleberts honored the Irish with a day of carnival in auditorium. I remember winning seven or eight cakes by standing on the number "23" in the cake walk. Had to find two or three other kids to walk all of the way home with the cakes... They had to be given away, with much opposition on my part. Remember the coal furnace in the basement with the coal bin, cinders, newspapers in bushel baskets for the ash to be removed to the pit in the alley? The glow of the coal cinders in the dark was fascinating, especially when you used a tinder stick to stir around in the furnace. I nearly burned down the house with one of those fire-sticks laid on the ironing board in the basement. Remember those push lawnmowers, clothes pins and clothes props in the yard. The Northside theater at Grand and Natural Bridge. My mother always thought the mustached ticket taker was looking at women's legs through their dresses as the sun entering the building through the West entrance doors. On leaving the theater if someone strange was on the street, she would slip her rings into her mouth until they passed. The opposite corner was Schuams (sp.) Drugs store... famous for chocolate-marsh-nut sundaes served on a white marble counter in stainless steel and glass containers. How about the North side YMCA across from Sportsman's park, where we learned to swim. The rule was that you swim naked, and before you entered the pool area through the showers, the older boys would rub the skin of your wrist to see if you were clean... any shreds of skin dirt would send you back to the showers. Why would they insist that everyone swim naked? Very strange by todays standards, but I suspect it saved the cost of a swim suit for those who could not afford trunks. Downtown, my mother's parents lived above a chicken processing store on Delmar. They were fine old Austrian people, who were over ninety years. They had DC electric tied to the street cars, so that as the cars passed the light hanging from the ceiling would dim. Their rooms were up a long stairway from the street, dark and frightening. The interior walls were made of the many wardrobes the were left over from the days that they had a hotel. Victorian furniture was everywhere. The icebox was oak and old looking so a kid wouldn't eat anything offered. My grandfather would sit endlessly talking about the old days in a German accent that made whatever he was saying totally impossible to understand. I wish I had listened more carefully to hear of his life. My grandmother would give me silver dollars and large pre-1930 bills from her mattress for birthdays. It was said that she hid the money from her husband when he came home drunk from gambling. Probably true. He had worked as a coal miner to raise three girls, and later was an hotel owner. My mother would get tears in her eyes at the playing of "Oh Mien Papa" . Her mother had scrubbed floors in office buildings on her hands and knees during a part of her life to survive. She would tell us how she would visit old Senator Kenney to plead for his political influence in preventing her place from being torn down by the city. He always had his hand out, she would say. Twenty dollars a visit. Later in life I knew Senator Kenney in Jefferson City... he was always feeding the squirrel on a bench East of the Capitol Building. When he died, John Paulus ordered the tree removed. Old Sen Kenney was a staunch supporter of the State Fruit Experiment Station... they would bring him a bushel of fruit around appropriation time. The city tore down her place, of course. Sometimes my old Austrian grandmother would visit us with two bushel bags of food from Union Market, where she shopped, and rode the bus for miles to spend the day. Will Doctor Meats, and Jewish rye bread were always in the bag. The Jewish rye bread was a huge dark brown loaf with a union label on the bottom. Hard outside and soft in the middle, looking for all the world like an elephant dropping, it was my favorite...have never found anything close to it . At eighty-five my grandfather was struck by a cab, broke his hip, it healed and he lived another fifteen years... I think it was Old Granddad Whiskey once or twice a day that kept him alive. That's enough reminiscence (Sp?) for now. These people and events live once again in your mind, as you recall the past.
Post from Patsy L.(10/7/2009)
Re: Post by Jim Frank 10.1.09
Have you considered going on Facebook? There is no cost.
Post from Charles Chamberlin ( [email protected] ) (10/7/2009)
I worked at Holiday Hill, on Natural Bridge, from 1961 to 1966, while I went to Normandy High and UMSL. I primarily ran the train, Dodgems, and Merry Go Round, but on occasion ran the Roll-O-Plane ( Salt & Pepper Shakers) and Tilt a Whirl... some GREAT summers there....
Post from ?????? (10/7/2009)
Does anyone recall a store on St.Charles Rock Road during the 50’s that was along the lines of a GEM store, EJ KORVETTE, etc? I grew up near there and my father who has since passed away bought me a baseball glove there and I have been trying to remember the name of the store. I believe the store burned down. It may even be where later Ontario was and I think now is where the Flea Market near the metro link stop is.
Post from mike (10/10/2009)
There was a Spartan/Atlantic Mills store there where Schnucks closed up, and Lums was in the front part of the parking lot. I met my future wife there, her father was the district manager for all the area stores. I worked at the one at Central City.
Post from Vicki Mason (10/11/2009)
I hope you can post this under your website. I have seen a few postings about mom and pop grocery stores and am interested in finding information on stores near Mullanphy and Cass Ave in 1964. There was a man that worked there around 1963-1964 time frame. He mainly bagged groceries and his name was "Big Jim" or James. Unfortunately, I dont know the last name. He work in Gershon's Market or La Meia market possibly. He was African American or Cuban-Hispanic. My mother mentions him quite often and I am hoping someone knows him his family. His aunt used to live in apartments near the market. But, I think the stores have actually been torn down now. Anyway, I can be contacted at [email protected]. Thank you very much if you can help me!
Post from Andy Leach - San Jose, CA - [email protected] (10/12/2009)
St Louis Memories 1940 -1945
My parents were both born in St Louis. I was born in St Louisin January 1937 and lived there until January 1945.
I remember:
We lived at 5024 Queens Ave.The phone number was EVergreen 3401.
I attended St Philip Neri Grade School at Durant and Thekla. I made my first communion and confirmation there. The pastor was Msgr Kennedy and he had a farm 'out in the country" where there were parish picnics. It had a swimming pool.
There was a big dirt area on Kingshighway and Bircher Blvd(now a big park) which was called "The Mule Diamonds" where we played baseball or cork ball or flew our kites.
On the corner of of Kingshighway and Lillian was a little Deli and convenience store called "Marie's". Ice cream cones were 5 cents.
There was a Deli called Tetenhorses on about Thekla and Unionthat sold popsicles (single stick with a cherry in the middle)
During WWII there were blackouts where we had to close the drapes and air raid wardens roaming around in white helmets. My friends were Michael Keating (his dad was a St Louis Cop who played handball at PenrosePark) and Kenny Delaney. I have lost track of them. Mary Ann Walker was in my class and I had a crush on her.
We always had a school outing where we rode the Admiral which was a very new excursion boat at that time.
There were many children in our neighborhood, most of who went to St Philip Neri. In the spring and summer evenings we played hide and seek, and a baseball game with a tennis ball in the street until dark.
There was a paper boy who delivered papers from a horse drawn wagon. His name was Hank. He went to the Army and got shot in the behind in Germany.
My cousin Peggy Lowey lived on Durant one block over. She married Tommy Murphy in 1948. Tom was a good soccer player at St LouisUniv. He later owned a Sporting Goods Store in St Louis.
There were double decker buses running on Kingshighway and I remember people riding them to the Opera in Forest Park.
Post from Bob Bruenger [email protected] (10/16/2009)
Man their are good memories you-all brought back to me here on this site---Thank all of you..
I Grew ^ 39th and shenandoah in the late 60's and use to go to the shenandoah and ritz show on friday and sat. nights when i wasn't skate-n and the towergrove church.
I live in Hillsboro mo. now
I moved to dogtown at 6809 dale ave where i met my first love Donna Cordess and i have searched all over try-n to find her to see how she is doing and how life was treating her with No results.I even payed a few fee's on sites out there with info and they didn't have anything on her...Anyone know her let her know i was asking about her and tell her to drop me an e-mail [email protected] if she would.....
I'm getting up in my years and it would be Great to hear from her before i'm gone..
Talk about dajavue i am a concrete finisher and i just did a job at 6807 dale in the rear for parking, it's been over 30 years since i been in the old neighborhood and it just tickled the shit out of me to see it again...

Post from Sandy (AHS '65 - also Salem Lutheran grade school & Bayless school) at [email protected] (10/22/2009)
I have posted 2 entries prior to this; but I thought I would add just another brief one. On one of the previous entries (I just re-read) from 2004, I asked that if anyone had memories of Al's Tavern in Affton, MO which was in business from the 1930's - 1967, to please let us know. Well, duh, I didn't include an email address there. So, I am asking again, if anyone has any memories (at all) of Al's Tavern in Affton, MO from that era to please contact me at [email protected].

I scanned a couple of pictures of what the tavern looked like on the interior when it first was opened by my grandfather Ralph Krshul back in the 1930's. We were closed for business for the two years my dad was serving in the Army during WWII. There were signs over the windows that read "see ya after Hitler's funeral" and "closed for the duration". I'll try to find those pictures and send them to you too. The building is still used as a restaurat (a Pasta House). Oh, and the "ladies room" was by bedroom! There is a beautiful terrazzo floor under the carpeting and in, like an old English script, it reads Al's Tavern in the middle of the dining room in the area we used for the dance floor when we featured live music. I think you can make it out on the pictures. My dad, Al Krshul, was one of the guys that started the "volunteer" Affton Fire Department "back in the day". I suppose that is where the incorrect story I hear when I go to the Pasta House about how the building used to be the Affton Fire House because of a picture of the volunteers standing by the old original fire truck on the parking lot. The restaurant building was NEVER the fire house. Oh, yeah, and there was NEVER a balcony in the dining room. If anyone has any questions just email me and ask me. I lived there growing up and I know every inch of the place. By the way, we had THE BEST fried chicken ever! Made by my grandmother, Veronica Krshul and my mom Natalie Krshul (most everyone called her Nell or Nellie - which BTW she hated. She loved her name Natalie. She said Nellie always sounded like a cow's name.) I also have fond memories of the Gravois Kiwanis and the Concord Village Lions clubs, both of whom had their weekly meetings (and other special dinner events) at Al's. Every Wednesday at noon as we were getting ready to serve lunch we would hear all the Kiwanians singing, "My country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where our fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride from every mountain side, let freedom ring". That was a beautiful sound. I didn't get to hear it during the school year, except if I was home on a sick day. But I felt like I had a ton of "uncles" knowing all those great business men. I remember them having a Christmas dinner every year in conjunciton with (I believe) the Salvation Army where they would rent a bus and go pick up many underpriveledged children and bring them to dinner. Santa would visit and give each child a bag of fruit and a present and then the Kiwanians would take the kids next door (to our restaurant) to the Hill Brothers Shoe Store ("2 for 5, man alive!") and buy a pair of new shoes for each child. I saw so much that most of the kids I went to school with never saw. Of course, I saw MANY other things being raised (and living) in a tavern that many kids never saw either. ha! Well, that is enough memories for this current entry of mine. Take care Dave and keep the website going - it is truly awesome!

Post from Rob Greuling (10/29/2009)
My family moved to a suberb of St. Louis, Ferguson, late in the summer of 1963. I was in 6th grade at Voght Elementary on Church Street. We would walk the tracks to school from the foot of Jehling St, past the Ferguson Station to the Voght playground. On the way home it was always up church street past the bakery to spend our milk money on a treat - what a smell. Then it was down to the Franklin 5 and Dime on North Florissant rd. to buy gum or candy. I remember the picture windo painting contests that the City of Ferguson would put on each year for Holloween. From Los Angeles, Ferguson seemed like a quaint, sleepy, little town. The fall was something my brother, sister and I had never experienced. And snow! Wow, that was that great. We'd only seen snow when vacationing in the San Gabriel Mountains every-other summer. At the time, this really seemed to be quite a treat for us. In Ferguson we were actually living in it. The day John F. Kennedy died it was raining and they sent us all home from school. We watched on our new black and white RCA 19" portable TV. Our first house was a rental on Jehling, just down from Ferguson Middle School (the old Ferguson High School). For Christmas that first year we each got sleds and ice skates. We'd go sledding and ice skating at January Wabash Park, every chance we got. Looking at the hills surrounding January Wabash now, they don't seem so big, but at the time it was sufficient to provide an entire day's worth of fun. In the summer it was outdoor movies, swimming in the pool, and getting frozen pop-ups from the January Wabash concession stand. I met a number of people at the pool, and met my wife at that pool in 1966. My best friend and I were frolicking in the pool and he introduced me. Sally was from Ferguson and went to St. John & James. She and her family of 14 children lived on Adams. Her dad was a buyer at Stix Bear and Fuller. Her family, up to that time went to high school at Aquinas. We went to church at Holy Trinity Lutheran in Cool Vally. It was across from EJ Corvett's shopping center. There was a doghnut store at the foot of the hill on Florissant Rd that we'd skip Sunday School to sit and eat warm doghnuts.

The following year we moved into a turn-of-the-century home on Florissant Rd. It's no longer there as the Baptist church raised the string of homes for parking in the 70's. 2nd house down on Florissant Rd from January. Over the next three years I'd walk to Ferguson Middle School on January. I went to McCluer for High School. Johnny Londoff was across Hwy 270 where we'd park our cars behind the dealership when we drove to school. We used to drive through Chuck-A-Burger and I remember the Weinerschnitzel on Florissant Rd. There was a Dairy Queen on Florissant and Suburban, across the street from Manino's Market. I went to school with one of the boys. Once driving ,the hang-outs expanded to include Steak & Shake on Lindbergh and White Castle on Lindbergh, across from the airport. Couldn't miss the burgers from White Castle either. After Sally and I went to our Sr Prom, it was out to eat at the Top of The Tower Resturant at the corner of Chambers and Halls Ferry Rd.

For the first time since my mother had been married, she took a job at Hart's Bread Store in Ferguson. It was an old gas station that had been renovated and turned into a convenience store. As I recall, it was next to the True Value hardware store. My mother had wanted to buy a newer car, a station wagon. My father had always been proud that he could repair the older cars he'd bought and opposed my mother spending money on something that he felt wasn't needed. My mother was catching up with the changing times and was adamant. The job lasted from my Jr High days to my Sr. year in High School - 1970. In 1968 or 1969 my mother had bought a beautiful 1966 Olds Cutlas wagon from McKelvy Oldsmobile on West Florissant Rd. Not new, but she was so proud of that car. I remember when my sister took it out, learning to drive, and tore off the front-end of it in an intersection. My dad was beside himself, and it was just after my mother's death.

My mother had been promoted to store manager at Harts Bread Store. Daily, she'd get in before most others would arrive and would mid-afternoon to try and be home to ngreet us kids as we got home. Throughout the afternoons she's sew making colorful "turbin" hats and scarfs, and dresses. She would go to Northland Famous Bar and shop for material. When school we'd make our annual shopping trip to Northland Famous Bar and later River Roads, to purchase our school clothing. What she bought is what we got. She made us all clothing. I remember some of what she made us. I had a red and white cherkered suit that I wouldn't have been caught dead in. After a couple of obligatory wearings to church, it stayed in the closet and then got lost. And, a fuzzy zip-up top made out of some type of furniature material. When we watched Gone With The Wind, we'd all chuckle thinking of how similar it was to have curtain material for dresses. Anyway, she enjoyed it.

It was either March or April of 1970. I had graduated in January, and had was working a new job at McCabe Powers, a company in Berkley on Frost. I was out of town and got a call telling me that my mother had been shot. She was working at Hart's Bread later than when she would have normally left from work to come home. The other person, who was to relieve her had't shown up and was sick. My mother's death was one in a string of murders over the next couple of months. Another lady had been shot just before my mother, in a flower store robery in Belfontain.

Many fond memories. Seems like so long ago.
Post from ??????? (11/4/2009)
I grew up in U City for most of the '60s. I remember my phone number, Wydown 4-7074. I remember riding my stingray bike all over Forest Park and up to Overland to the Town and Country Mall. We also rode to Famous Barr in Clayton so we could fly down the corkscrew ramps in the parking garage on our bikes. Used to hop the train when it slowed down at the corner of Delmar and McKnight. Rode it down to Stix Baer and Fuller in Brentwood. I remember 10-cent cokes at Spicers in Clayton, and the great hot dogs at the counter at Schnucks next door. Heman Pool, Holiday Hill, Sportsman Park, matinees at the Varsity and Tivoli theaters on Delmar. Corky the Clown, Capt. Eleven. Charlotte Peters. Met Miss Lois from Romper Room at the GEM Store once. Met Marlin Perkins at the Zoo.

Jingles from local TV commercials..."I'm a meat man, and a meat man knows, the finest meats ma'am are Mayrose." "Come on down to Art Hack Buick, come on down and get the Art Hack price." "There's the Hunter horn calling every kid in town..." "Save a dollar return on each dollar you own at Community Federal Savings and Loan." Also the radio...Jack Buck and Harry Karry on KMOX with the Cards games, Johnny Rabbit and Bruno J. Grunion on KXOK. I remember when they built the Inner-Belt right through my neighborhood, and there were rats the size of beavers in the sewers. I remember the free concerts on "hippie hill" at the Pavillion in Forest Park. Remember watching the Arch go up, and Busch Stadium. My dad used to play sandlot ball against Bob Gibson up in Omaha, and he said even then you could tell Gibby was going to be a big-time major leaguer. My grandfather was scouted by the Cards in his youth, but his dad wouldn't let him leave the farm. It was very cool to go see the World Series with them at Busch Stadium in 1967. I remember the lobster tanks at the Goldenrod Showboat, and riding on the Admiral. Boy, it all comes flooding back sometimes, doesn't it?
Post from Karen Rataczak (11/28/2009)
Born in Welston 1954 Chatham Bible Church. Moved to U City (other side of the tracks) Sutter Ave. Fountain drinks at Mabels and penny candy at Ernies down the street. Pervert picking up a little girl on the way to elementary school playing with himself and the little girl not knowing what was going on. Fortunately he did drop her off at school. She never told anyone. Move to Creve Coeur (movin on up to the big times) 1968 Rainy Daze Club. Hippie scene. The Amboy Dukes.The Cave. Aardvarks. Joanie Young, Peg Ravis -my bestest friend in the whole wide world. We were going to run away and live in Grenwich Village. I think she really did! Then at the sweet tender age of 15, sadly moved to Wisconsin, where shes been ever since. I loved St Louis. My heart is still there. [email protected]
Post from Gloria (11/29/2009)
I lived at 1221 Sutter until 1953. I have some good memories from that time. Our home was between Plymouth and Julian ave. I attended All Saint's grade school. I think children in that area went to Pershing grade school.
Across the street was a big field, I found out that the land belonged to Wellston School District , later the land was sold to St. Louis County, where the Police and Fire Academy .
Post from Beverly Gray (11/30/2009)
Hi Dave,
Just heard about your website from one of my St. Louis guests this morning. She suggested I write you. My husband and I owned and operated all the Perkins Pancake Houses, Perkins Restaurants and Perkins Cafeteria in St. Louis.from 1963 to 1985 when we sold them, all 8 of them.. We built them, with local St. Louis builders and enjoyed a successful business and loved living and being in business in ST. Louis for 22 years. Restaurants were located in Clayton, Crestwood, So. County, Bridgeton, Ellisville, Downtown, Webster Groves and one across the river in Sandoval. We employed 375 people at any given time, and now and over these past 13 years while I am Innkeeping in Branson, MO, many of our old employees and Perkins guests, happen upon us in Branson. Is it possible to put some blurb on this site letting all the hundreds of thousands of customers and employees still in St. Louis know that we are operating Emory Creek Victorian Bed and Breakfast in Branson, MO. . . .24/7 just like the ole days with the restaurants that were all open 24/7.

We've won many national awards here at the B & B and even appeared on FOXTV in St.Louis on a morning talk show. We're serving a fabulous 4-course gourmet breakfast in the morning with live piano music. Look us up on our website www.emorycreekbnb.com

I love living in Branson, but my years in St.Louis were my life's fondest memories. My husband Gene Gray, was Restaurant Man Of The Year in 1968 in St. Louis. He is alive and well and living in Florida. I am still Innkeeping, and loving it, in Branson.

You've put together a great website concept. Good luck and much success with it. I'd love to hear from you, or if you have any questions, just email or call.

Regards,
Beverly Gray, Innkeeper
Emory Creek Victorian Bed & Breakfast

Beverly & Sammy, Innkeepers
National Award Winning Bed & Breakfast for Elegance
800-362-7404
[email protected]
www.emorycreekbnb.com
Post from Gloria (12/10/2009)
Just sitting here thinking about Christmas and going to All Saint's grade school , going door to door to sell Christmas Seal for a penny a stamp. Turning in the money to Sister Mary Olive, only to have her hand you more sheets to go out in the cold to sell more.

I use to go to the bar at the corner of Maple and Sutter, my grandpa's first stop after getting off work and he would make most of the patrons buy my stamps. I can't remember what the reward was for selling the stamps.

I loved making decorations for our classroom and hallways, the advent wreaths, it took forever to get to the fourth candle. Each classroom had it's own Christmas tree, a real tree, which was paid for by the students.

Our house was one of the few in that area that hung outdoor lights. My parents use to take us to White Castles and buy us a small hot chocolate, with the big marshmallow, then we would ride around and look at the beautiful homes all lit up with holiday lights.

Dave many blessing of this wonderful season, thank you for this great web site.
Post from Barbie (12/13/2009)
I was visiting with family today and it is true that Phil Parrino had a sister named Rose. The Parrino's are not my relatives but Phil is a good friend of my moms brother....

They even called him today..teasing Aunt Jeanne about riding a ferris wheel with him at Blanchette Park.
Post from Bobbi (12/21/2009)
Gloria, the prizes for selling the Christmas seals were on an ascending scale, depending on how many you sold. I went to grade school at Presentation in Overland and sold them every year, too. I never sold a lot. I can remember one year getting this really "cheesy"-looking, three inch high, all-one-piece, plastic nativity scene. The Christmas seals were called Holy Childhood Seals. I can also remember that sometimes one of the prizes was a Holy Childhood medal, but you had to sell a lot to get that. I can also remember at Easter time, when Lent started, getting these little fold-up boxes, where you were supposed to save your spare pennies. They were called "Alms" boxes and we had to turn them in at school during the week before Easter. I can't remember exactly where the money went, but I sure do remember all of that very vividly, as we did it every year. My Dad was never big on putting up Christmas lights, but we had this big picture window in our living room and every year Mom and Dad would come up with an inexpensive way to fill that entire window with Christmas decorations. They did it differently every year............some years great looking..........some years not so great.............but pleasant memories, nonetheless.
Post from ? (12/21/2009)
Dear Memory People,

I wish I still had funky vests and purses my great grandma made me.

When I was in parochial school at Ascentoin she worked in the school cafeteria..and I rarely spoke to her..because at Ascension ...she ws in her mid 70's and working in the shool lunch room and always shaking my milk carton to make sure I ate my veggies..lol.

Gosh I miss her.

We would do crafts..

One year she gave me a Sears Catalog and made me bend each page in half.. so that when it stood on bindings..it was like a body..she spray painted it red..added a round styrofoam ball for head and and mittens and we made a Santa Claus.

She used to save cards. She would have me cut them into octogons..glue them together and we had a disco ball..lol.

Gosh I Miss my GGM. She was fun. She loved to play cards, have a beer at Whalens Bar from time to time with her friend Lula or Lizzie Butz who lived on Saint Ann's Lane...nearly across from St. Ann's School in Normandy.

I hope to be as precious to my very first grandchild who is one month old today, as my great-grandmother was to me.
Post from Bob (12/21/2009)
Do remember the Redwood Restaurant and in fact worked there as a carhop in 1955. That wonderful red sauce was in fact barbeque sauce and the burgers were cooked over an open flame. I have never since walked into any other restaurant and smelled that fabulous smell that was the Redwood. After working there moved about a quarter mile down the road and worked at Steak 'n' Shake also as a carhop.
Post from Bob (12/21/2009)
I grew up in Wellston, 2 long blocks east of the Loop Building on Theodosia. Theodosia is one block north of Easton. I also remember many of the things you mentioned in your posting. If you wish to correspond about Wellston and St. Louis memories in general, my email address is: [email protected].
Post from Lynn - Michigan (12/24/2009)
Christmas memories of growing up in St. Louis during the 60’s. I attended Horace Mann in the Tower Grove Heights area. Members of the PTA would organize Caroling every year. I loved it. It was so much fun to bundle up and meet at the School and group together and go door to door Caroling. People would come out and stand on their porch, steps or stoop and listen. I can still remember how beautiful it was to stand at the corner and look down the street at all the houses decorated for Christmas. After a couple hours, we’d come back to the school cafeteria for hot chocolate and cookies. It was a time that what grade you were in had no bearing. Older kids took the hands of the young ones. A kid you may never speak to in school became your buddy that night. It was precious and I cherish the memory.

Mom always took us Downtown to see the Window displays. I can remember how excited I’d be all day that Friday as I waited for school to end. We’d rush home and plead with Mom to hurry. She’d make sure we were dressed warmly and we’d catch the bus for Downtown. We’d have supper at The Forum and then walk around and look at the windows with all the other families that were there. It was like being in a fantasy world. The first time I felt the true spirit of Christmas was there. We’d ride the bus home in the dark and I would feel like I had just been a part of something so special.

I have such wonderful memories of Mom giving me $2 to go to Woolworth’s on Grand and buy gifts for my entire family. I always managed to get everyone something and still buy myself a sweet from Mavarakos next door.

It was just Mom, my older sister and me and my sweetest memory of all was how the 3 of us would walk up to Grand and buy our Christmas tree and drag it home to our apartment on Hartford. Oh, how we’d laugh getting that tree home and up the stairs. We’d stand there so anxious while Mom struggled to get it in the stand. Then, she’d string the lights. Sissy and I decorated and Mom put the icicles on because we clumped them too badly. The best moment of all was when Mom would plug it in. To my eyes there was nothing more beautiful.

So much more, but I’ve got myself teary remembering those sweet, sweet times and missing my amazing, wonderful Mom.
Post from Gene Moore (12/24/2009)
Just found your site. My post is directed to Rhonda and Leo Lococo regarding their post on 07/07/07 asking about people that might remember Cusie’s on Jennings Station Road. My mother (Ann) was a waitress for many years at Cusie’s, and my sister Charlene was married to Jimmy Cusumano. I grew up at that restaurant. Have many fond memories. My personal e-mail address is [email protected]
Post from Armando Toti (12/30/2009)
Yes I remember that day , I was and anyone reading this that knows me knows that I was a very curious and adventurous child. Was not one of my brightest moments, I had climbed those gutters ( three stories high ) many times to retrieve balls that where hung in the metal grates ( I believe they where for holding back snow from falling ) This day someone on the ground yelled up and said the Fire Department was on there way, and like a kid I was excited and stayed so I could get to climb down a fire truck ladder, needless to say I was held in 7th district police department until my parents came for me. They were not happy with me.

Probably the best thing that happened that day because I heard someone else tried the same thing soon after and the gutters broke, they were bruised but not hurt seriously..

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