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St. Louis in the 1910s: A Photographic Tour of the City during the World War I

At the beginning of the 1910s, the population of St. Louis was around 687,029. By 1920, the population had increased slightly to 702,905. The city was the fourth-largest city in the United States at the time and was a major industrial and transportation hub. The city’s population grew rapidly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries thanks to its role as a manufacturing, trade, and transportation center. During this period, St. Louis was also a destination for many immigrants, particularly from Europe. Many of these immigrants settled in the city and contributed to its growing population and cultural diversity.

During World War I, St. Louis, Missouri, played a significant role in the United States’ efforts in the conflict. One of the most notable contributions of St. Louis during World War I was the production of aircraft. The city was home to several major aircraft manufacturers, including Curtiss-Wright and the St. Louis Aircraft Corporation. These companies produced a variety of aircraft, including fighters, bombers, and transport planes, which were used by the US military and its allies during the war.

In addition to aircraft production, St. Louis also played a key role in the production of other war materials, such as ammunition, artillery, and tanks. The city’s factories and shipyards worked around the clock to produce the items needed to support the war effort.

St. Louis was also home to several military bases and training facilities during World War I. The city’s Camp Doniphan and Scott Field were used for training soldiers, while the St. Louis Arsenal and Rock Island Arsenal were used for the production and storage of weapons and ammunition.

One of the most significant events to take place in St. Louis in the 1910s was the construction of the Gateway Arch, which was completed in the 1960s. The Arch became a symbol of the city and a major tourist attraction, drawing millions of visitors each year.

#2 Lucas Gardens Park looking Southeast towards the St. Louis Public Library building, 1910

#3 Welcome to St. Louis, 1910. This photograph shows of a truck driving in the snow across the Free Bridge (now the MacArthur Bridge), into the city from Illinois.

#5 Corps of Engineers Snagboat Missouri on Mo. River, 1912.

#6 A fleet of cars being photographed in front of St. Louis city hall, 1910

#7 Seventh Street and Washington, looking east. Signs on building advertise the plays Bunty Pulls the Strings and Within the Law, 1910

#9 Elevated roadway above 6th Street with streetcar tracks in process of being laid, approach to Free Bridge (now MacArthur Bridge). The elevated rail bed is to the left.

#10 A truck driving in the snow across the Free Bridge (now the MacArthur Bridge), into the city from Illinois. Exit is about 6th Street, 1910

#11 Wreck of the Henry Sackman, railroad ferry owned by Wiggins Ferry Company at Saint Louis, 1918

#12 The Jefferson Memorial Building in Forest Park. The view is looking south from the intersection of Debaliviere Avenue and Forest Park Parkway.

#13 U. S. Engineer Department. Portion of floating equipment moored at supply depot, foot of Arsenal Street, St. Louis, Missouri.

#14 The National Bank of Commerce in St. Louis in 1914.

#15 Parade of St. Louis city ash wagons. Small businesses are visible in the background, 1910

#16 Men setting a girder for elevated railway. Below, a locomotive is in the process of switching cars, 1910

#17 A boy in the foreground is reading an assortment of advertisements plastered to the side of a brick building, 1910

A boy in the foreground is reading an assortment of advertisements plastered to the side of a brick building, 1910

The advertisements include information about local events like picnics, theater shows, and wrestling matches. In the background of the photograph is Eighth Street, where there are several storefronts, cars, and pedestrians scattered through the street.

#18 The City’s new fleet of Fords, on exhibition at City Hall, 12th street side.

#19 The intersection of North Tucker Boulevard and Washington Avenue. Automobiles, pedestrians and horse-drawn wagons are visible, there are many pedestrians along Washington Avenue, 1910

#20 Washington Avenue looking East from Seventh Street, the old Grand Leader department store at 601 Washington Avenue is visible on the left, 1910

Washington Avenue looking East from Seventh Street, the old Grand Leader department store at 601 Washington Avenue is visible on the left, 1910

There is much bunting visible on the front of the store and American flags flying along the street. There are many pedestrians on the sidewalks and cars and horse-drawn wagons visible in the street.

#22 The City’s new fleet of Fords, on exhibition at City Hall, 12th street side, 1910

#23 The Missouri Portland Cement Company factory and loading docks on the Mississippi River. A steamboat (the Belle of Calhoun) is visible in the background at one of the docks, 1910

#24 Drummond Factory, Fourth and Spruce streets, where knitting Mills Will Locate, 1911

#25 Alton Ltd. ascending West approach to Merchant’s Bridge elevated, 1910

#26 A portion of the Union Electric building and the Hotel Jefferson at the intersection of 12th and Locust Streets. Written on reverse of resource: St. Louis Hotel Jefferson.

#27 A busy street scene at the intersection of 12th and Locust, looking north, 1910

A busy street scene at the intersection of 12th and Locust, looking north, 1910

Automobiles and horse-drawn wagons move along the street. The Gauss-Langenberg Hat Co. building can be seen on the east side of the street. Written on reverse of resource: 12th & Locust.

#28 A number of houses along Forest Park Boulevard, 1910

#29 Broadway and Washington Street, 1910

Broadway and Washington Street, 1910

Street traffic near the intersection of Broadway and Washington. A horse team pulls a wagon overly laden with wooden pallets.

#30 A row of storefronts located near the intersection of Sixth Street and Franklin Avenue. A clothing store displays its wares on the sidewalk, 1910

#31 Buildings near the corner of 13th and Olive Streets, future site of Central Library, 1910

#32 Some wooden houses on Gratiot near Boyle. This area would now be part of the route of Interstate 64, 1910

#33 A busy scene of pedestrian and equine traffic at the intersection of Grand and Olive, looking north on Grand, 1910

#34 View of the St. Francis Xavier College Church at the corner of Grand and Lindell. The Church is located on the St. Louis University campus, 1910

#35 An envisioned residential development on Delmar Blvd, 1910

#36 Del-Van building at the intersection of Delmar and Vandeventer, 1910

#37 View of the Marion Roe Hotel, which stood at 508 Pine Street, 1910

View of the Marion Roe Hotel, which stood at 508 Pine Street, 1910

The site is a now a parking garage. The seven-story hotel (as well as the nearby Rufa Building, the Lyric Theater and Globe Hotel) was demolished in the 1960s to make way for the original Busch Stadium.

#39 St. Anthony of Padua church which is located at 3200 Meramec in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood, 1910

#40 A delivery horse enjoying a drink from a water trough at the North Grand Circle, 1910

#41 Kingshighway Blvd., looking south from its intersection with Arsenal Street, 1910

#43 Water wagon, 1910

Water wagon, 1910

A wagon with a large water container can be seen in the foreground of the photo. Behind this wagon, another wagon can be seen carrying a large amount of barrels.

#44 A team of horses delivering a wagon full of coal for the Ice Fuel Co. to a business on St. Charles Street, 1910

#45 The William Barr Dry Goods Company building located at 6th and Olive streets downtown, 1910

#46 A row of automobiles parked along 12th Street, looking south, 1913

#47 A few boxes of decaying plants placed next to wooden sheds along Foster alley, 1913

#48 Some decaying boxes of plants next to a building along Foster alley, 1913

#49 A large group of onlookers watching firefighters battle a fire near the intersection of St. Charles Street and Broadway downtown, 1913

#50 The intersection of Compton Avenue and Morgan Street, 1915

#51 Buildings along the western side of North Grand, looking northwest, 1915

#52 People walking along the sidewalk near the intersection of North Grand Blvd. and Cook Avenue, 1915

#53 A number of buildings and storefronts on the 700 block of Franklin Avenue, 1915

#54 A streetlight at the corner of Grand and Lindell, 1915

#55 A busy traffic scene looking south on Broadway near Washington Avenue, 1915

#56 A team of horses taking a break in front of a row of buildings on 20th Street, 1915

A team of horses taking a break in front of a row of buildings on 20th Street, 1915

The horses are pulling a wagon for the Portland Cement Co. At 11 N. 20th street, there was a restaurant operated by Caushima Killy.

#57 The stone gate entrance to Hortense Place, looking east from its intersection with Kingshighway, 1915

#58 The 800 block of Chesnut Street. The Hill Evans Title Examiner Company was located at 822 Chestnut, 1915

#59 The intersection of Washington and Grand, looking west on Washington, 1915

The intersection of Washington and Grand, looking west on Washington, 1915

The Grand Avenue Presbyterian Church can be seen at 527 North Grand, where the Fabulous Fox Theatre now stands.

#60 Street and sewer repair work being done on Barton Street, 1915

#61 Chestnut Street looking west from its intersection with 4th Street, 1915

Chestnut Street looking west from its intersection with 4th Street, 1915

A portion of the Old Courthouse building can be seen on the south side of Chestnut. The 1st National Life building was located at 102 N. Broadway. The LaSalle Hotel can be seen at 508 Chestnut, and the Powell Hat Co. was located at 415 Chestnut.

#62 A horse pulls a carriage along the 5300 block of Clara Avenue, 1915

#63 A row house located on the 1100 block of Chouteau Avenue, 1915

#64 Buildings and telephone wire poles along O’Fallon Street near its intersection with 20th, 1915

#65 A stop sign on the corner of West Pine Blvd. at its intersection with Grand, looking west, 1915

#66 An ornate lamppost at the intersection of Lindell and McPherson near the St. Louis University campus, looking east, 1915

#67 Lindell Blvd. looking west from its intersection with Spring Ave, 1915

#68 Miami Street looking east from its intersection with Ohio Avenue, 1915

#69 The intersection of Market and 13th streets, 1915

The intersection of Market and 13th streets, 1915

Among the businesses that can be seen are Cornelius O'Donnell's harness shop, the Laclede Buffet and the City Hall Restaurant.

#70 A partially demolished building at 1203 Morgan Street, 1915

#71 Streetcar tracks along Kingshighway, near Forest Park Avenue, 1915

#72 Kingshighway looking north from its intersection with Lindell, 1915

#73 Automotive and horse-drawn traffic moving along Delmar Boulevard near its intersection with Taylor Avenue, 1915

#74 Tree-lined Prairie Avenue, looking north from its intersection with 20th Street, 1915

#75 West Pine Blvd. looking east from its intersection with Sarah Street, 1915

#76 Olive Street, looking east, from its intersection with 6th Street, 1915

Olive Street, looking east, from its intersection with 6th Street, 1915

Western Union Telegraph Co. was located at 504 Olive. The Judge and Dolph Drug Co. can be seen at 515 Olive, and Aloe's optician was next door at 513 Olive.

#77 The gate at the entrance to the Washington Terrace neighborhood just off of Union Boulevard, 1915

#78 A busy downtown traffic scene near the intersection of 9th and Pine streets, looking east on Pine, 1915

#79 East on Pine Street from its intersection with 12th Street, 1915

#80 Buildings along Delmar Boulevard near its intersection with Taylor Avenue, 1915

Buildings along Delmar Boulevard near its intersection with Taylor Avenue, 1915

Joseph Raffo operated a saloon at 630 N. Taylor. Models of storks and a large bird's nest have been placed atop this building.

#81 A car parked on the street on Pendleton Avenue near its intersection with Page Blvd, 1915

#82 A long rowhouse along an unidentified cobblestone street, 1915

A long rowhouse along an unidentified cobblestone street, 1915

Three girls can be seen huddled in the doorway of one of the residences. Large heaps of trash and debris are piled on the sidewalk.

#83 Busy traffic along Olive Street, looking west, from its intersection with 4th Street, 1915

#84 The intersection of Compton and Chouteau avenues, looking south on Chouteau, 1915

#85 Wittels Loan and Mercantile Co. at 2001 Market Street, 1915

#86 Street and building repair work being done on Washington, just east of its intersection with Channing Avenue in Midtown, 1915

#87 Street repair work being done near the intersection of Washington and Channing avenues, 1915

#88 Buildings on the north side of 13th Street, between Biddle and O’Fallon streets, 1915

#89 Douglas Building on the southeast corner of Market and Broadway, 1910s

Douglas Building on the southeast corner of Market and Broadway, 1910s

The McCullough-Crittenden artificial limb company occupied the 3rd floor, and the New York Shoe Repairing Co. was on the ground floor. Further down Market Street, there was the Grace Hotel and Leader Cafe.

#90 A well-maintained greenspace with trimmed hedges and flower beds at an unidentified intersection, 1910s

#93 A railroad bridge over North Broadway near the Baden neighborhood.

#95 A row of buildings along the south side of Olive Street, between 13th and 14th streets.

A row of buildings along the south side of Olive Street, between 13th and 14th streets.

Among the businesses that can be seen are the Wiley Saddlery Co., the Miller loan company and the Chancellor cigar company. These buildings would soon be razed for the street widening project. The Southwestern Bell Building can be seen far off in the distance.

#96 Olive from 18th Street

Olive from 18th Street

The early stages of a street widening project can be seen on the south side of Olive. The spire of St. Francis Xavier College Church can just be seen in the far distance.

#98 Washington Avenue, looking west from its intersection with 14th Street.

#99 The beginning stages of a street widening project of Olive Street.

#100 South Grand near its intersection with Meramec St. Gas stations for Tower Oil Co. and Shell Oil can be seen.

#101 Downed power lines along Broadway near Osceola Street.

#102 Downed power or telephone lines along Virginia Avenue, presumably from storm damage.

#104 Sidewalk and storefronts along the 3800 block of Easton Ave. The Hughey Candy Co. was located at 3850 Easton.

#105 A multi-family residence at 5251 Bancroft Avenue in the Southampton neighborhood.

#106 Continuing work on the street widening project of Olive Street.

Continuing work on the street widening project of Olive Street.

The newly constructed Park Pacific Building can be seen on the south side of the street.

#108 Eugene Field School, Olive & Taylor, St. Louis, 1910

#109 Brown Shoe Co.’s building, Washington Avenue, St. Louis, 1910

#110 Hempstead School, Hamilton and Minerva aves., St. Louis, 1910

#111 Mary Institute, McPerson & Lake aves., St. Louis, 1910

#112 Emerson School, Arlington & Page aves., St. Louis, 1910

#114 Clay School, 11th & Farrar Sts., St. Louis, 1910

#117 The St. Louis Art Museum in Forest Park, St. Louis, 1910

#118 Blind Girls’ Home, 1214 N. Garrison Avenue, St. Louis, 1910

#119 Eugene Field School, Olive St. & Taylor Ave., St. Louis, 1910

#120 Workmen use horses and wagons to load and unload steamboats on the St. Louis, 1910

#121 The McKinley Bridge opened for business in 1910.

#122 Riddick School, Evans and Whittier, St. Louis, 1910

#125 Located at 4th and Pine streets, this ten-story hotel boasted 400 rooms and elegant public spaces, 1910

#126 Brookings Hall on the Washington University campus, St. Louis, 1910

#130 Gates at the east entrance to Portland Place, St. Louis, 1910.

#131 A view of the first mausoleum erected by Henry Shaw, but not used by him, 1910

#133 McKinley high School, 2156 Russell Avenue, St. Louis, 1910

#135 Smith Academy and Manual Training Schooll, St. Louis, 1910

#137 Franz Sigel School, 18th & Ann Ave., St. Louis, 1910

#138 Compton Heights, Longfellow Boulevard, St. Louis, 1910

#139 Interior of the Merchants’ Exchange building, 3rd Street between Chestnut and Pine streets, St. Louis, 1910

#140 Mercantile Trust Company building at 8th and Locust streets to St. Charles Street, St. Louis, 1910

#141 The St. Louis Globe-Democrat building at the corner of 6th and Pine streets, St. Louis, 1910

#142 The Methodist Orphan Home, 4385 Maryland Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, 1910

#143 The Century Building, located in downtown St. Louis, 1910

#144 The Methodist Orphan Home, 4385 Maryland Avenue, St. Louis Missouri, 1910

#145 The Holland Building, 215 N. 7th Street, St. Louis, 1910

#146 Memorial House, 2609 South Grand, St. Louis, 1910

Memorial House, 2609 South Grand, St. Louis, 1910

It was built as a home by Rene Beauvais in 1867. In 1882 it became the Memorial Home for elderly men and women. In the 1990s it was renamed Beauvais Manor on the Park.

#147 The Four Courts municipal building on Clark Avenue between 11th and 12th streets, St. Louis, 1910

#148 A locomotive leaving the train shed of Union Station, St. Louis, 1910

#149 A locomotive leaving the train shed from Union Station, St. Louis, 1910

#151 A private street in the Central West End of St. Louis, Hortense Place was developed in the around 1910.

#156 Looking east on Locust from Eighth, St. Louis, 1910

#157 Meramec Highlands, summer resort of St. Louis, 1910

#159 The Low Service Pumping Station at the Chain of Rocks waterworks, St. Louis, 1915

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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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