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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

In the 1870s, St. Louis was a major city located in Missouri with a population of around 300,000 people. It was a key transportation and commercial hub, located along the Mississippi River and serving as a major stop on the Oregon and Santa Fe trails. St. Louis was also an important center of industry, with a range of manufacturing companies operating in the city, and it was known for its production of iron and steel. Despite its prosperity, the city was also marked by significant social and economic divides, particularly with regards to race, as African Americans faced discrimination and segregation. St. Louis was also a center of political and cultural activity, with several newspapers, schools, and other institutions serving its diverse population.

#1 Scene showing steamer Richmond in St. Louis, 1870

Scene showing steamer Richmond in St. Louis, 1870

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#2 Chestnut Street in St. Louis looking west from Fourth Street, 1872. The court house is on the left and the Planter’s Hotel is on the right.

Chestnut Street in St. Louis looking west from Fourth Street, 1872. The court house is on the left and the Planter's Hotel is on the right.

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#3 Str. Light Wester (1873) and the Str. Dugan 1874.

Str. Light Wester (1873) and the Str. Dugan 1874.

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#4 Germania Club in St. Louis, 1875

Germania Club in St. Louis, 1875

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#5 Cracker Castle at the corner of St. Ange and Chouteau in 1870.

Cracker Castle at the corner of St. Ange and Chouteau in 1870.

The house was built in 1868 for Jonathan O. Pierce, who gained his wealth through the selling of hardtack during the Civil War. Within a few years, the home was sold to Fidelio C. Sharp, a lawyer and partner in the firm of Sharp & Broadhead.

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#6 The 4th Street in St. Louis looking north toward Chestnut Street, 1872

The 4th Street in St. Louis looking north toward Chestnut Street, 1872

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#7 St. Louis levee along North Market Street, 1870

St. Louis levee along North Market Street, 1870

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#8 The first public high school in St. Louis at the corner of Fifteenth Street and Olive Street in 1870.

The first public high school in St. Louis at the corner of Fifteenth Street and Olive Street in 1870.

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#9 Beer-Garden, 1870

Beer-Garden, 1870

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#10 Mercantile Library Hall in St. Louis, Missouri, 1870

Mercantile Library Hall in St. Louis, Missouri, 1870

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#11 Old Jail 6th + Chestnut, 1870.

Old Jail 6th + Chestnut, 1870.

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#12 St. Louis Riverfront, 1870

St. Louis Riverfront, 1870

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#13 A one-story log structure. The front is labeled Old Courthouse, 1870.

A one-story log structure. The front is labeled Old Courthouse, 1870.

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#14 Broadway and Pine in 1878

Broadway and Pine in 1878

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#15 Side-wheel packet James Howard, built in 1870 for the St. Louis-New Orleans trade.

Side-wheel packet James Howard, built in 1870 for the St. Louis-New Orleans trade.

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#16 Old St. Louis Times Building, 1872

Old St. Louis Times Building, 1872

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#17 St. Louis Court House, 1870

St. Louis Court House, 1870

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#18 Planter’s Hotel, 1874

Planter's Hotel, 1874

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#19 Locust. From 4th West, 1870

Locust. From 4th West, 1870

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#20 Eads Bridge, 1873

Eads Bridge, 1873

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#21 The Globe and Democrat Separate Buildings, 1878

The Globe and Democrat Separate Buildings, 1878

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#22 Bound Down the River, 1870

Bound Down the River, 1870

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#23 Fourth Street St. Louis, 1875

Fourth Street St. Louis, 1875

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#24 The east side of Fourth street between Olive and Locust, showing the Everett House, Pingee & Brown, Prop., with the upper veranda and iron railing which formed a hotel’s trademark, 1875

The east side of Fourth street between Olive and Locust, showing the Everett House, Pingee & Brown, Prop., with the upper veranda and iron railing which formed a hotel's trademark, 1875

The corner building on the far right housed Hall's Bafe and Look Company, J. J. Starr, manager, which is listed at 302 North Fourth in the 1872 directory and had moved to 410 North Third in 1878. Scarritt Furniture, whose sign can be made out at the corner of Locust, was at 400 North Fourth in 1872 and had also moved in 1878, putting the date of this photograph at about 1875. On the east side of the street (photo to left) [(this photo)] is the famous Everett House, with the upper veranda and iron railing, trademarks of hotels in that era. In five years the same scene (right)[(different photo)] changed considerably. The hotel had its front dressed up with additional porches and and awnings. The skyline also changed with the erection of the Goodyear Rubber Co. sign, then considered one of the highest in city.

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#25 Once one of old St. Louis’ better known hotels, on Fourth between Morgan (now Delmar) and Franklin, the St. Nicholas began losing its glory in the 1870s when this photo was made.

Once one of old St. Louis' better known hotels, on Fourth between Morgan (now Delmar) and Franklin, the St. Nicholas began losing its glory in the 1870s when this photo was made.

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#26 St. Louis on a Busy Day- in 1870.

St. Louis on a Busy Day- in 1870.

You may not believe it, but this was the way Fourth and Chestnut looked to the country gentlemen who drove into town in their buggies and contemplated a trip to Louisville over the "Vandalia Route,"... street car going in the opposite direction. St. Louis Then and Now: The photo at left was taken at Fourth and Chestnut streets in 1870, six years before the city divorced the County on grounds of incompatibility and non-support. In that horse-drawn era, St. Louisans did not foresee the tremendous growth and development of city (right photo) and choked off future expansion by voting to go it alone. A Bustling St. Louis in 1870 became fourth largest city in the nation, according to the census of that year. The race with Chicago was hot and St. Louis still clung to ideas of becoming the dominant city of the Midwest and possibly the nation's capital. But 10 years later Chicago forged ahead and St. Louis subsequently was passed by five other cities.

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#27 Broadway looking south from Chestnut. Showing court house, Bryant and Stratton Business College and Southern Hotel on left side of plate, 1870s

Broadway looking south from Chestnut. Showing court house, Bryant and Stratton Business College and Southern Hotel on left side of plate, 1870s

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#28 Fourth and Olive looking north, taken in the 1870.

Fourth and Olive looking north, taken in the 1870.

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#29 Fourth and Washington, looking south, 1878

Fourth and Washington, looking south, 1878

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#30 Morgan (now Delmar) Street, 1878

Morgan (now Delmar) Street, 1878

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#31 Benoist Home 8th & Pine, 1870

Benoist Home 8th & Pine, 1870

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#32 Ice Bridge at St. Louis, 1873

Ice Bridge at St. Louis, 1873

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#33 St. Louis Riverfront, 1871

St. Louis Riverfront, 1871

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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#34 The steamer Montana, 1879

The steamer Montana, 1879

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St. Louis in the 1870s: A Photographic Exploration of the City's Growth and Development

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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