Archive
This project is no longer active. All submitted place stories have been archived below.
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Sylvester describes the plot of land at St. Edward and Burd, presently an empty lot, soon to be redeveloped by Fresh Coast Farms as a tree farm. He states the land once occupied a multifamily housing development, however that fell into disrepair through age and neglect, before being torn down. He feels the tree farm is a beneficial development to the neighborhood. Sylvester M moved to Wells Goodfellow with his family at the age of seven in 1965. In 2000, he moved back to the neighborhood and he now lives in the same house that he grew up in. Recorded on July 13th 2016
Longitude: -90.269278000000
Fifteen hundred trees were recently planted on empty lots. This will be a beautiful place once the trees grow. The farm is a positve development for the neighborhood. D'vion Harris chose Wells Goodfellow as the neighborhood in which to buy his first house. Although the house was purchased in 2016, he has spent a great deal of time in the neighborhood since 2001. He is the landscaper for the Fresh Coast Tree Farm. Recorded on July 22, 2016
Longitude: -90.269411000000
Sandra S praises the pastor of Friendly Temple. Sandra S. has lived in Wells Goodfellow for over 50 years. Recorded on July 25th 2016
Longitude: -90.274110000000
Friendly Temple has been a welcome addition to the community. It has spurred new development along Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. and provides a place for people to go during hot weather and at other times. Paul B moved to Wells Goodfellow from Chicago in 2008 and enjoys the tranquility of the neighborhood. September 2016.
Longitude: -90.274092000000
Joann notes the improvements that have been made in the area around Friendly Temple through the conversion of a closed school to condominiums. She also questions why so many black schools in the City have closed down. Joann S grew up in St. Louis's West End and moved to Wells Goodfellow after marrying her husband, who grew up in the neighborhood. Recroded on June 23, 2016
Longitude: -90.274526000000
Rosita Thompson a long time resident and recent congregant of the large and influential community parish, Freindly Temple Missionary Baptist discusses in this clip her appreciation for the work Pastor Jones has done in revitalizing the surrounding area. She points out the church's role in reusing a formerly abandoned warehouse as the church and bringing to life the surrounding area. Recorded on August 15th 2016
Longitude: -90.274068000000
"This is my porch. This is a good place to go on a day that's hot or rainy. We love the view of the park and we love our neighbors." Emily moved to the Shaw neighborhood in 2000. She enjoys several things about the area, such as the proximity to Tower Grove Park, the unique houses, the South Grand district; mostly, however, she likes her neighbors and the sense of community.
Longitude: -90.250663000000
When it's hot out, Sandra S likes to watch the street from inside her house through the window and occiasionally sit on her porch. Sandra S. has lived in Wells Goodfellow for over 50 years. August 2016. Recorded on July 25th 2016
Longitude: -90.268102000000
The Fruits of Zion Community Garden is an example of the good things that can happen when neighbors take things into their own hands and work together. After the building on the parcel was torn down, neighbors came together to remove weeds and have barbecues on the plot. Eventually, they decided to make it a garden. Anthony S is a long-time resident of Wells Goodfellow. Recorded on August 16th 2016
Longitude: -90.275000000000
Ms. Essie talks about the small community garden that she created with some of her senior citizen friends. The garden has become a pleasant place that seniors can walk to and see beautiful things. It also provides place where children can interact with seniors. Ms. Essie keeps up the garden because it reminds her of friends who have passed who were involved in creating the garden.
Essie L. and her family were one of the first Black families to move on Beacon Ave. She has lived in Walnut Park East for 45 years, and serves as captain of her block.
Interview conducted October 2017.
Longitude: -90.252252000000
Annie stated she is in favor of planting a garden on Oriole Ave. She also wants abandoned houses on the street torn down.
Annie was raised in the Walnut Park East neighborhood, moved away for 30 years, then returned to the neighborhood to care for her ailing parents.
Interview conducted August 2017.
Longitude: -90.250355000000
Longitude: -90.249459000000
In this video, Mr. Westbrook describes his experiences in Gaslight Square in the 1970's. He believes that the current state of Gaslight Square shows how the neighorborhood has changed for the better.
A member of the community since the 1970's, Henry Westbrook is a long time resident of the Vandeventer neighborhood.
Interview conducted October 2018.
Longitude: -90.248387000000
JoAnn recollected about the General Motors Factory (St. Louis Truck Assembly) at Union Blvd. and Natural Bridge Ave. She and her family moved to Walnut Park East since the plant was less than two miles from the neighborhood. Six of her uncles, two of her brothers, five or six of her cousins, and four of her neighbors worked at the plant on Union Blvd. She started working at the plant in the cafeteria, then moved to the assembly line, where she met her husband. Her husband worked at the plant 42 years.
JoAnn has lived in Walnut Park East for over 40 years. She is well-known throughout the neighborhood as the “Candy Lady.” JoAnn worked at the General Motors Plant on Union Blvd. for 22 years, and is currently retired. She is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother.
Interview conducted July 2017
Longitude: -90.257916000000
JoAnn explained how she acquired her home on Genevieve Ave. She also recalled that when she moved to the Walnut Park East neighborhood on October 9, 1975, there were eleven white residents on the street.JoAnn explained the past and current states of her street at the 5000 block of Genevieve Ave. She remembers how neighbors used to look out for one another and inspire one another to keep properties in good order.
JoAnn has lived in Walnut Park East for over 40 years. She is well-known throughout the neighborhood as the “Candy Lady.” JoAnn worked at the General Motors Plant on Union Blvd. for 22 years, and is currently retired. She is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother.
Interview conducted June 2017.
Longitude: -90.251704000000
The area north of Natural Bridge Avenue was once occupied by the General Motors plant, which provided jobs for neighborhood residents. The businesses that currently occupy the grounds also provide some jobs but many people in the neighborhood are not aware of them, according to Nicole S. Nicole S and her sister Heather S grew up in Wells Goodfellow and continue to live there in adjacent houses. September 2016
Longitude: -90.259707000000
In this video, Georgia describes her excitement over the Hodiamont Greenway proposal. She believes that greenway will have a positive community and economic impact in the Vandeventer community.
Georgia Palmer has lived in the Gaslight Square neighborhood for 4 years.
Interview conducted 2019.
Longitude: -90.252434900000
Kayla Weeks, a resident of the neighborhood expresses frustration that the gates to the Goodfellow Place Apartment Complex remain open all day and night. She feels this allows non-resident trouble makers, or soliciters to enter and this puts undue pressure and restraint on residents. She feels it's something which is a must-fix. Recorded on July 30th 2016
Longitude: -90.271594000000
Goody Goody Diner has been in the neighborhood since 1948. Nicole S would like to see some of the adjacent properties filled with larger stores. Nicole S and her sister, Heather S grew up in Wells Goodfellow and continue to live there in adjacent houses. September 2016
Longitude: -90.276444000000
Pastor Irving recalled the re-building efforts of the sanctuary at Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. With gratitude, Pastor Irving stated that after the church was vandalized and set on fire, the sanctuary was quickly re-built in six months.
Pastor Dr. Irving, his parents, six sisters, and three brothers moved to Walnut Park in 1968. Pastor Irving leads the congregation at the Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church on Gilmore Ave.
Interview conducted June 2017.
Longitude: -90.248856000000
This green area is open for now, but Aberha explains that the community has several ideas to turn it into a space that promotes community. Aberha moved to Botanical Heights in the 1980s due to the affordable housing and the proximity to both his workplace and his siblings.
Longitude: -90.246937000000
This area contains new, beautiful houses. Aberha likes to come here and see the transformation of the neighborhood. The community has several block parties here each year. Aberha moved to Botanical Heights in the 1980s due to the affordable housing and the proximity to both his workplace and his siblings.
Longitude: -90.244941000000
In this video, Barbara recalls her experiences as a child growing up on Enright Ave. in the Vandeventer neighborhood. She fondly recalls how thriving businesses, schools, parks, people, and walkability coalesced to create a deep sense of community. She recalls particular businesses as well as transportation options--streetcars, buses, and service cabs. She also describes how the neighborhood has changed, especially with regard to vacancy, dilapidated housing, and squatting.
Barbara Murphy is a long time resident of the Vandeventer neighborhood. Interview conducted in 2019.
Longitude: -90.243987800000
Gundlach School was recently closed and it should be repurposed for an active use that will benefit the community. Antwan P was born in Wells Goodfellow and is very active in the neighborhood organzing programs to meet community needs. Recorded on June 13th 2016
Longitude: -90.264556000000
Tyrone B talks about the community benefits that Gundlach School provided when it was in operation. Tyrone B spent much of his youth in Wells Goodfellow and attended Gundlach School. Recorded on June 15th, 2016
Longitude: -90.264556000000
Gundlach School is a historic buidling in the neighborhood and could be converted into housing. Larry L moved to the Wells Goodfellow neighborhood from Mississippi around 2005. Recorded on June 15th 2016
Longitude: -90.264556000000
Many former students, including Edna S., have fond memories of Gundlach School. Here she recalls its beautiful interior and expresses hope that it can be reopened. Edna S grew up in Wells Goodfellow and has lived at several addresses in the neighborhood. Most of her family still lives nearby. Recorded on July 30th 2016
Longitude: -90.264581000000
Heather S remembers when Gundlach School served the local neighbohood. She wishes that it could be used as a community center. Nicole S and her sister, Heather S grew up in Wells Goodfellow and continue to live there in adjacent houses. September 2016
Longitude: -90.264581000000
Ernest B fondly recalls the fruit trees and gardens near his childhood home.
Ernest B. was born, raised, and currently resides in the Walnut Park East neighborhood.
Interview conducted October 2017.
Longitude: -90.245530000000
Ernest B fondly recalls an apple tree at Thrush and Harney near his childhood home.
Ernest B. was born, raised, and currently resides in the Walnut Park East neighborhood.
Interview conducted October 2017.
Longitude: -90.246109000000
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