Archive
This project is no longer active. All submitted place stories have been archived below.
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Tower Grove Park reflects the late 19th century idea of how a nieghborhood and its environment were supposed to coexist. Its a beautiful place with wonderful old trees. It has both a human and natural history. Robert moved to Shaw in 2014 with his family to be near the City Garden School that his son attends.
Longitude: -90.252004000000
Tami spends a lot of time in Tower Grove Park with her family. Walking in the park can relieve stress. Its a good place to go to relieve stress. Tami has lived in the neighborhood since 2006 and recently purchased a home. She prefers the neighborhood due to its social diversity. February 2016.
Longitude: -90.259340000000
The new townhouses here are very beautiful, but Aberha notes that residents do not stay here long. Aberha moved to Botanical Heights in the 1980s due to the affordable housing and the proximity to both his workplace and his siblings.
Longitude: -90.246911000000
In this video, Mrs. McCrea describes Transformation Church at Page Blvd. and Whittier Ave. The church provides space for community groups to meet, and provides shelter when hot or rainy.
Cynthia McCrea is a resident of the Vandeventer neighborhood, and is president of the Cook Ave. Block Group.
Interview conducted October 2018.
Longitude: -90.241286500000
Frank Smith describes a vacant lot next door to his house. Unkept trees and weeds have grown on the lot. Frank states that it is “not right” that the city ignores the lot. He states that the city won’t cut the lawns of vacant lots, nor remove a fallen tree from the property. The lot also attracts rodents.
Frank is a long-time resident on the Walnut Park East neighborhood. He can often be found sitting on his front porch.
Interview conducted July 2017.
Longitude: -90.244587000000
In this video, Ms. Pippens described the trees on and around Shulte Ave., both past and present. Presently, there are raspberry, elm, and at least one large walnut tree noticed by Ms. Pippens. Elm trees that were still alive when Ms. Pippens and her family moved to the street have been cut down by the city because they were infected with “dog disease.”
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: -90.253431000000
Lex Sims and friends states that trees need to be planted on Genevieve Ave. to provide shade during hot weather.
Lex Sims and friends live three houses down from the intersection of Genevieve and Harney Aves. Their house is a neighborhood gathering place.
Interview conducted July 2017.
Longitude: -90.245878000000
The below picture is of a walnut tree.
Reggie recalled the trees present in Walnut Park East during his youth: walnut, cherry, peach, and apple. He reported on the lack of trees in in present-day Walnut Park East.
Reggie is a long time resident of Walnut Park East, graduating from Northwest High School. He is known as the “historian” of the neighborhood.
Interview conducted July 2017.
Longitude: -90.251193000000
John W. admires living at the 5400 block of Plover Ave. because of the his older neighbors, and because of the trees on his street. He advises city officials to avoid cutting the trees down, since they provide shelter from the heat and “piece of mind.” John W. lists the trees at the 5400 block of Plover Ave., which include oak, maple, and pine. John W. recalls that there are walnut trees on Plover Ave. after he remembered that he and his friends threw “hulls” at one another.
John W. has been a resident of the Walnut Park East neighborhood for most of his life. He is a loyal customer of The Kutt Factory at West Florissant and Gilmore Aves.
Interview conducted July 2017
Longitude: -90.248204000000
The remnants of trolley tracks peaking through the exisitng roadway remind us that the neighborhood developed due to the streetcar network that once connected the neighborhood to the rest of the City. Robert moved to Shaw in 2014 with his family to be near the City Garden School that his son attends.
Longitude: -90.251832000000
In this video, Mrs. McCrea describes a former business school and residence on Cook Ave.
Delores McCrea is a long-time resident of the Vandeventer neighborhood.
Interview conducted October 2018.
Longitude: -90.244969000000
In this video, Mr. Robinson describes Turner Park as a beautiful place, and how the park has been improved in recent years. He recalled when a pond formed in the middle of the park after heavy rains. Ballplayers had to wait until it dried up before they could resume playing there.
George Robinson was raised in the Vandeventer neighborhood.
Interview conducted October 2018.
Longitude: -90.240925000000
In this video, Mrs. Knights describes current conditions surrounding Turner Park. She spoke highly of the physical changes associated with the recent renovation but noted that the park remained a site of undesirable behavior. She stressed the importance of lighting and surveillance to make the park more family friendly.
Kathryn Knights has been a resident of the Vandeventer neighborhood since the 1980's, and is a active participant in the West Belle Neighborhood Association.
Interview conducted November 2018.
Longitude: -90.240925000000
In this video, Barbara reminisces about the fun she had at Turner Park as a child, the gendered nature of play, and the events and activities sponsored by Parks and Recreation Department in which she participated. She also reflects on issues and problems she and her family experienced at the park.
Barbara Murphy is a long time resident of the Vandeventer neighborhood.
Interview conducted 2019.
Longitude: -90.240925000000
In this video, Mrs. Finch relates that less violent acts occur in Turner Park, yet renovation of the park and newly contructed houses is all of the development that has occured in the neighborhood.
Anita Finch was raised in the Vandeventer neighborhood.
Interview conducted October 2018.
Longitude: -90.240925000000
In this video, Mrs. McCrea describes the residence of Tuskegee Airman Charles Brantley on Cook Ave.
Delores McCrea is a long-time residence of the Vandeventer neighborhood.
Interview conducted October 2018.
Longitude: -90.245087600000
Frank Smith describes the illicit activities that take place in two abandoned houses next door to one another on the 5500 block of Genevieve Ave. Frank says that the city won’t act to tear down houses where these activities take place.
Frank is a long-time resident of the Walnut Park East neighborhood. He can often be found sitting on his front porch.
Interview conducted July 2017.
Longitude: -90.245395000000
Many of the vacant properties along Union Blvd. were once occupied by thriving businesses. Douglas H wishes that many of the businesses he remembers would return. Douglas H has lived in Wells Goodfellow since the early 1960s, when he moved from Mississippi with his family. Recorded on July 23, 2016
Longitude: -90.265336000000
The intersection of Union Blvd and Wabada once featured a tavern, a candy store, an electronics store, a bicycle store, a tailor shop, and a cleaners. Douglas H has lived in Wells Goodfellow since the early 1960s, when he moved from Mississippi with his family. Recorded on July 23, 2016
Longitude: -90.264824000000
In this video, Mrs. Knight describes the Urban League building on Vandeventer Ave. She was glad when the organization moved into the neighborhood, and is a "good thing" for the community because it serves as an institutional anchor that then attracts other desirable establishments. It also serves as a gateway into the eastern part of the Vandeventer neighborhood.
Kathryn Knights has been a resident of the Vandeventer neighborhood since the 1980's, and is a active participant in the West Belle Neighborhood Association.
Interview conducted November 2018.
Longitude: -90.239008800000
Shuron D. Jones is an long-time resident of Tower Grove South; she has lived on South Grand Blvd. for over four (4) years. Working class her whole life, she has also been a service worker at restaurants on South Grand Blvd. Shuron is an active community member, and sits on the board of the Tower Grove South Neighborhood Association, 15th Ward Democrats, and the Workers Education Society.
In this video, Shuron describes Utah Ave. as the dividing line between Tower Grove Heights, and Tower Grove South. The Heights, as exemplified through Utah Ave., has large, pretty houses lived in by folks who are of the professional and middle classes, while Tower Grove South has folks of different income levels, ethnicities, ages, and of immigrant communities.
Longitude: -90.243312000000
Andrew believes Utah represents the local identity of the neighborhood. The historic homes are beautiful, and the large median, which also serves as a park, provides trees for shade and absorbs excess rain water. Andrew has lived in Tower Grove South for just over 5 years, and enjoys the diversity and friendliness of the area.
Longitude: -90.243462000000
In this clip a resident expresses a strong interest in action being taken to clear vacant buildings off of Terry and Goodfellow and begin construction immediately of new homes. New homes should also be put onto pre-existing vacant lots. The resident is content with her neighborhood but wishes to see it improved to attract new residents. Sharie grew up in Wells Goodfellow. Like many current residents, she inherited a house in the neighborhood that was owned by her mother. Recorded on July 30th 2016
Longitude: -90.275167000000
Madeline Crews a long time resident of the Wells Goodfellow neighborhood discusses her frustration with the number of vacant buildings in the area where she lives. She doesn't necessarily believe they should be destroyed and would like to see them repaired to allow new residents to move in, and retain the character of the surrounding neighborhood. Recorded don August 30 2016
Longitude: -90.266377000000
Although the house is currently vacant, Mary feels that it is beautiful and deserves to be preserved. Mary has lived in the Shaw neighborhood since 1987 and enjoys the urban environment.
Longitude: -90.244540000000
Jerome A. stated that the abandoned houses in the Walnut Park East neighborhood need to be torn down, and either new homes or parks need to be built on those abandoned properties.
Jerome A. has lived in the Walnut Park East neighborhood for four years. He attends and works at the City Hope Bible Church on West Florissant Ave.
Interview conducted July 2017.
Longitude: -90.249349000000
This house has been abandoned for about five years. It could be fixed up for someone to move in.
Ernest was born, raised, and currently resides in Walnut Park.
Interview conducted October 2017.
Longitude: -90.254362000000
Sandra S.notes the high rates of housing vacancy in the neighborhood and wishes new houses could be constructed to replace those that have dilapidated. Sandra S. has lived in Wells Goodfellow for over 50 years. Recorded on July 25th 2016
Longitude: -90.268552000000
Shuron D. Jones is a long-time resident of Tower Grove South; she has lived on South Grand Blvd. for over four (4) years. Working class her whole life, she has also been a service worker at restaurants on South Grand Blvd. Shuron is an active community member, and sits on the board of the Tower Grove South Neighborhood Association, 15th Ward Democrats, and the Workers Education Society.
In this video, Shuron describes a vacant property between Fairview and Potomac Aves. off of South Grand Blvd. The space is used by mostly heroin addicts to get high. She does not remember what the space housed in the past, nor is she sure what plans the city has for the building.
Longitude: -90.243774000000
This house has been vacant for about ten years and recently suffered a fire. Squatters may have started the fire.
Ernest was born, raised, and currently resides in Walnut Park.
Interview conducted October 2017.
Longitude: -90.254030000000
In this video, Latrice describes some of the violence that has taken place in Walnut Park.
A long-time resident of Walnut Park, Latrice S. is an employee of Beginning Futures Learning Center.
Interview conducted April 2018.
Longitude: -90.253065500000
Volunteer trees and shrubs that grow unattended, like those pictured in this place story, can pose problems for the neighborhood as hideouts for criminals and obstacles to effective mowing of vacant lawn. They may also contribute to power outages if their branches break and fall on power lines during storms. Trees should be planted selectively and only in places where they can be maintained.
Eltoreon Hawkins grew up in the Walnut Park West neighborhood and now owns several properties there.
Interview conducted November 2017.
Longitude: -90.250891000000
Robert wants to make sure that Shaw continues to provide housing opportunities for diverse urban populations. Robert moved to Shaw in 2014 with his family to be near the City Garden School that his son attends.
Longitude: -90.250630000000
In this video, Mr. Roach describes the sense of community created at Walbridge and Northwest Schools when his children attended in the 60’s and 70’s, through planned activities at the schools.
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: -90.255512000000
Walbridge Elementary School is a historic building in the neighborhood. Every year, white people who used to live in the neighborhood come back to the school to meet with current residents to work together for neighborhood improvement.
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 November 2017.
Longitude: -90.250826000000
In this video, Devin describes Walbridge School. Devin says the school is important because it is historic, and because children in the neighborhood have a school to which they can walk. Also, the school offers CNA training.
Devin R. is an employee of Beginning Futures Learning Center in the Walnut Park neighborhood.
Interview conducted April 2018.
Longitude: -90.250929700000
The Walnut Park Library is a refuge from hot and rainy weather, especially for the homeless.
Jerome A. has lived in the Walnut Park East neighborhood for four years. He attends and works at the City Hope Bible Church on West Florissant Ave.
Interview conducted July 2017.
Longitude: -90.247221000000
Eltoreon Hawkins remembers how important the library was for accessing computers and for providing a place to go in the neighborhood when he was growing up. He would like to see it renovated and expanded.
Eltoreon Hawkins grew up in the Walnut Park West neighborhood and now owns several properties there.
Interview conducted November 2017.
Longitude: -90.247216000000
In this video, Devin describes Walnut Park Library. Devin thinks the Walnut Park Branch is an asset for the neighborhood because of the library offers programs geared toward young people.
Devin R. is an employee of Beginning Futures Learning Center in the Walnut Park neighborhood.
Interview conducted April 2018.
Longitude: -90.247226600000
In this video, Roy describes Walnut Park School as a place to be saved, and envisions what could be done with the building.
A childhood resident of Walnut Park, Roy is the son of the founder of Roy’s Transmission, Roy DeBoise, and brother to current owner of the shop, Akeens.
Interview conducted December 2017.
Longitude: -90.253227000000
Pastor Dr. Irving told of one idea he has to revitalize the Walnut Park East neighborhood. Pastor Irving wants the abandoned Walnut Park School, at Riverview Blvd. and Thekla Ave., renovated to either house folks in the neighborhood without homes, or as a trade school.
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 collected July 2017.
Longitude: -90.253227000000
In this video, Roy describes Walnut Park School as a place that shows disinvestment in the neighborhood.
A childhood resident of Walnut Park, Roy is the son of the founder of Roy’s Transmission, Roy DeBoise, and brother to current owner of the shop, Akeens.
Interview conducted December 2017.
Longitude: -90.253227000000
In this video, Tami describes the street markers in Walnut Park as beautiful places.
Tami Harris moved to Walnut Park East with her family in 1975 when she was 2 years old.
Interview conducted December 2017.
Longitude: -90.241253000000
In this video, Roy describes “the watermelon man” from Mississippi who provided fresh fruit to the neighborhood during his upbringing. He also talks about the lack of stores, markets, or “everyday places" in Walnut Park to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.
A childhood resident of Walnut Park, Roy is the son of the founder of Roy’s Transmission, Roy DeBoise, and brother to current owner of the shop, Akeens.
Interview conducted December 2017.
Longitude: -90.250311000000
Watkins Temple is a small but dedicated congregation. Church members are vigilant in keeping the property clean and tidy. The congregation is an asset to the community. D'vion H. 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: -90.269498000000
Annie described past power outages due to storms, and her preparation for future weather events.
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: -90.250515600000
The resident expresses an interest in the revitalization of the Wellston Loop bus building, and the area surrounding. She says even though the commercial district is not as developed or vibrant as it was in the past, people still gather there and converse. She views it as a community asset. Sharie grew up in Wells Goodfellow. Like many current residents, she inherited a house in the neighborhood that was owned by her mother.
Longitude: -90.285534000000
Long time resident Rosita Thompson discusses in this clip her memories of the Wellston Loop business district as a child. Though she admits she was quite young, she shares fond memories Bus Loop Burgers, the JC Penny store and Jupiter. She states that the area was a gathering ground of sorts and hopes someday it can regain its status. Recorded on August 15th 2016
Longitude: -90.285505000000
The Wellston Loop Station was once a bustling area and could serve as the core of the area's revitalization. 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. Recorded on June 23, 2016
Longitude: -90.286253000000
Edward Stewart explains some of the negative impacts of the methadone clinic on West Florissant.
Stewart is a long-time resident of Walnut Park.
Interview conducted July 2017.
Longitude: -90.246674000000
Robert expresses doubt beautification efforts will be the key to revitalization in Baden. While he is extremely hopeful the neighborhood will come back, and he states he has remained in Baden despite friends and family moving away, he wonders if revitalization isn't just a dream.
Longitude: -90.231392000000
In this video, Mr. Roach talks about the building at Union Blvd. and Thekla Ave. that housed one of the first White Castle restaurants in St. Louis.
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: -90.244968000000
This factory employs many people in St. Louis, and Aberha feels that it is beneficial to the neighborhood. Aberha moved to Botanical Heights in the 1980s due to the affordable housing and the proximity to both his workplace and his siblings.
Longitude: -90.249731000000
In this video, Mrs. Finch relates that the Women's Crisis Center on West Belle Ave. is a place to go when hot or rainy.
Anita Finch was raised in the Vandeventer neighborhood.
Interview conducted October 2018.
Longitude: -90.240375500000
Heather S remembers shopping at Woolworths on Natural Bridge Avenue when she was a young girl. She wishes a large store would occupy the lot, which now sits vacant. 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
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