Archive
This project is no longer active. All submitted place stories have been archived below.
Pages: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15
In this video, Mr. Lancaster describes the new development on Sarah Ave., and relates that the buildings inspire hope for the future. He hopes that new develoment will create a viable community with black businesses that black residents can take care of their needs without going outside the neighborhood.
John Lancaster is general manager of Progressive Emporium shop on Sarah Ave.
Interview conducted October 2018.
Longitude: -90.240384800000
William believes Sasha’s has helped the community rebound. William, a resident of Botanical Heights, has lived in south St. Louis for most of his life.
Longitude: -90.250373000000
Nicole S remembers when carnivals used to set up operations on the empty lot at Natural Bridge and Union. The mini-plaza with a Schnucks supermarket has been an improvement to the area due to the jobs it provides along with the shopping opportunities. Nicole S and Heather S grew up in Wells Goodfellow and continue to live there in adjacent houses. September 2016
Longitude: -90.261295000000
In this video, Georgia describes what she terms “Schoemehl pots” at Whittier and Olive Aves. She thinks the pots should be removed because they are eyesores that collect garbage.
Georgia Palmer has lived in the Gaslight Square neighborhood for 4 years.
Interview conducted 2019.
Longitude: -90.246240000000
Randi H discusses the burdens imposed on young children when local schools close downs and they have to travel by bus early in the morning. Randi H lived in California for much of her life and moved to Wells Goodfellow fairly recently. Recorded on June 24, 2016
Longitude: -90.264556000000
In this video, Ms. Pippens described Walnut Park School, the “Caring Communities” programs at Walbridge and Northwest Schools. Ms. Pippens also described her community involvement with St. Louis Public Schools.
Tyanna Pippens has been a resident of Walnut Park West since the 1990’s. Her children attended Herzog Elementary and Northwest Schools. Ms. Pippens is an active member of her community in her service to St. Louis Public Schools.
Interview conducted January 2018.
Longitude: -90.253227000000
Rosita Thompson, long time resident of the Wells Goodfellow neighborhood discusses her memories of attending this historic black church. Rosita shares memories of attending church on sunday mornings, as well as the parade from the present location on Semple to the congregation's new location in Walnut Park on Goodfellow. Lastly Rosita shares pertinent details about the routine and scary flooding the church experienced each time it rained. Recorded on August 15th 2016
Longitude: -90.265027000000
The Semple Avenue Baptist Church was the oldest African American congregation in St. Louis west of Kingshighway and the continued existence of a church on the original site gives the neighborhood hope. Paul B moved to Wells Goodfellow from Chicago in 2008 and enjoys the tranquility of the neighborhood. September 2016.
Longitude: -90.264984000000
Katherine and her family described a sewer that floods with severe weather events. Water run-off floods the abandoned home directly across the street. She also described her experiences with MSD, and her efforts to get the sewer cleaned out.
Katherine is a long-time resident of the Greater Ville neighborhood. She and her family can be found sitting on the stoop of her home.
Interview conducted July 2017.
Longitude: -90.245838000000
Flowing water continues to drain into the sewer at the Abner Place and St. Louis Avenue, causing it to back up. Larry L moved to the Wells Goodfellow neighborhood from Mississippi around 2005. Recorded on June 15th 2016
Longitude: -90.263615000000
In this video, Ms. Pippens described current issues in Walnut Park West due to poor construction that did not take neighborhood topography into account. Ms. Pippens described cave-ins and flooding due to poor sewer construction and maintenance.
Tyanna Pippens has been a resident of Walnut Park West since the 1990’s. Her children attended Herzog Elementary and Northwest Schools. Ms. Pippens is an active member of her community in her service to St. Louis Public Schools.
Interview conducted Jaunary 2018.
Longitude: -90.253431000000
In this video, Mr. Robinson describes a historic place in the neighborhood, the Shangri-la Lounge. The closing of the lounge signifies how the neighborhood has changed.
George Robinson was raised in the Vandeventer neighborhood.
Interview conducted October 2018.
Longitude: -90.241274200000
Shaw Boulevard is an important street in the neighborhood because it has the neighborhood's only store, several businesses, and has a major bus line. Veneeda grew up in the Shaw neighborhood and recently moved back to raise her three kids with her husband, Monty.
Longitude: -90.252688000000
The Shaw Market is near several schools and its appearance has remained the same for many years. Veneeda grew up in the Shaw neighborhood and recently moved back to raise her three kids with her husband, Monty.
Longitude: -90.253762000000
In Shaw Memorial Grove, residents can plant trees to honor people they love. The place promotes community because it allows residents to gather and exchange stories about those they are memorializing. Monte has lived in Shaw since 2000 because of the affordable housing, but has stayed because of the sense of community and the opportunities to be involve in multiple organizations and groups.
Longitude: -90.244224000000
The Shaw Market is the only place in the area for residents to buy groceries. The owners view their market as a place for the community to gather and share ideas. Dave has lived in the Shaw neighborhood since 1996. He and his wife moved for work, and have been involved in the neighborhood ever since.
Longitude: -90.253762000000
In this video, Ms. Pippens described the efforts undertook in Walnut Park West to build homes around the topography of the neighborhood. Ms. Pippens described the shifting of homes in the neighborhood because of the houses are built on hills.
Tyanna Pippens has been a resident of Walnut Park West since the 1990’s. Her children attended Herzog Elementary and Northwest Schools. Ms. Pippens is an active member of her community in her service to St. Louis Public Schools.
Interview conducted January 2018.
Longitude: -90.253653000000
JoAnn recalled that in the past, the Walnut Park East neighborhood had “plenty” of places to shop, and that she and her neighbors would carpool to stores. Currently, she explained, there are mostly dollar and corner stores in which to shop.
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
In this video, Mr. Roach describes past businesses and shops in the Walnut Park neighborhood, especially along West Florissant Ave. from Riverview to Union Blvds.
William Roach has been a resident of the Walnut Park neighborhood for over 50 years. He sits on the Safety Committee for the 22nd Ward, is the Treasurer of the Baden Business District, and the captain of his block of Arlington Ave.
Interview conducted November 2017.
Longitude: -90.247438000000
Jimmy Jam described a sinkhole in the middle of the 5400 block of Gilmore Ave. He urged that the sinkhole be repaired.
Jimmy Jam was born and raised in the Walnut Park neighborhood.
Interview conducted July 2017.
Longitude: -90.250352000000
In this video, Mr. Winsor describes Slaughter's Cleaners, a historic place in the Vandeventer neighborhood, and its history.
Mr. Winsor has been a resident of the Vandeventer neighborhood since the 1980's.
Interview conducted October 2018.
Longitude: -90.240693000000
Brenda describes her interest in the building for its unique and memorable architecture. Additionally, she offers insight about the bank which occupied the tower, and its connection to the German population which had historically resided in the neighborhood. She felt drawn to Tower Grove South both for its unique style as well as its deep historical connection to the German population.
Longitude: -90.244340000000
Jimmy Jam states that roundabouts and speed bumps are needed on Gilmore Ave.
Jimmy Jam was born and raised in the Walnut Park neighborhood.
Interview conducted July 2017.
Longitude: -90.250339000000
Darryl explained the “epidemic” of speeding in the Walnut Park East neighborhood. He also described an accident that occurred on Lilian Ave.
Darryl, a St. Louis native, moved to the Walnut Park East neighborhood four years ago.
Interview conducted July 2017.
Longitude: -90.261072000000
St. Edward Church has been an anchor in the community for many years. Anthony S remembers its importance to African American families who moved to the neighborhood in the 1960s. Recorded on August 16th 2016
Longitude: -90.271815000000
Mary discusses St. Margaret’s. In the tornado of 1896, one of the church’s towers was destroyed. She has lived in the Shaw neighborhood since 1987 and enjoys the urban environment.
Longitude: -90.245613000000
St. Margaret’s is not just a church, but also a gathering place for other neighborhood organizations, schools, concerts. Sean calls it an anchor of the neighborhood, where people of all different faiths and backgrounds can come together and work for the good of the community. Sean moved to the Shaw neighborhood in 1991, and loves the community and the environment around it.
Longitude: -90.245613000000
In this video, Barbara reminisces about St. Ann Church, now Transformation Church, at Page Blvd. and Whittier Ave. The school and church were important sites for interracial education, religious training, a sense of community. The institution hosted and still hosts activities and programs for the neighborhood.
Barbara Murphy is a long time resident of the Vandeventer neighborhood.
Interview conducted 2019.
Longitude: -90.247833000000
Sylvester discusses his memory of St. Edward as a child growing up in the neighborhood, it was surrounded by flowers and flowering trees, and it represented a fond asset to the community at the time. 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: -90.271815000000
Abdul P considers St. Louis Avenue to be one of the neighbrohood's historic streets. Abdul P is a young man who lives just north of Natural Bridge Road but spends a lot of time in Wells Goodfellow. Recorded on July 30th 2016
Longitude: -90.273774000000
Pages: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15