In the 1980s St. Louis was the 23rd largest city in the United States with a population of around 700,000. During this time, the city was a major industrial and transportation hub, with a diverse economy that included manufacturing, healthcare, education, and finance. The city was home to several Fortune 500 companies, including Monsanto, Anheuser-Busch, and Emerson Electric.
In the 1980s, St. Louis was also known for its vibrant arts and culture scene. The city was home to several major sports teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals (baseball) and the St. Louis Blues (hockey), and it hosted several major events, such as the World Series, the Stanley Cup Finals, and the Missouri Valley Conference basketball tournament.
The city’s arts and culture scene was thriving in the 1980s, with a number of museums, galleries, and performance venues. The St. Louis Art Museum, located in the city’s Forest Park, was home to a wide range of works of art, including European paintings, American and contemporary art, and decorative arts. The city was also home to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, which was founded in 1880 and was one of the oldest and most respected symphonies in the United States.
However, like many other cities in the United States, St. Louis faced challenges in the 1980s, including racial tensions and economic struggles. The city had a history of segregation, and efforts to address these issues were ongoing during the decade. In addition, the loss of manufacturing jobs and the decline of the city’s industrial base had a negative impact on the local economy.
Despite these challenges, St. Louis remained a vibrant and diverse city in the 1980s, with a rich history and a strong sense of community. The city was home to a wide range of neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and culture.
#1 Jefferson Barracks Museum was originally the location of a military base, 1988
#2 Anheuser Busch Brewery, 1986
#3 Christmas Tree Erected on the Anheuser-Busch Brewery Ground, 1985
#4 Public Tours of 70-block of Anheuser-Busch, Inc, 1983
#5 Anheuser Busch-The First Budweiser Clydesdale Hitch, 1983
#6 Jefferson Barracks Bridge Construction, 1982
#7 Plaza Apartments – Rates, 1984
#8 Columbus Square Apartments, 1981
#9 ABCD Apartments-Site of Robbery, 1981
#10 Neighborhood Gardens Apartments, 1205 N Seventh Street, 1986
#11 Donaldson (Court) Apartments Alleyway, 1983
#12 Donaldson (Court) Apartments Courtyard, 1983
#13 Parkedge Apartments, 1982
#14 Columbus Square Apartments Opening, 1981
#15 Housing Under Construction at Columbus Square, 1981
#16 Construction At Columbus Square Apartments, 1984
#17 The building at 13th and Washington avenue, St. Louis, 1985
#18 Urban West Apartments – Exterior, front view, 1981
#19 First National Bank (exterior) Remodel Finishing, 1981
#20 Centerre Bank – One Centerre Plaza, 1983
#21 Original Mercantile Trust Company location on the southeast corner of Eighth and Locust streets, St. Louis, Missouri, 1980
#22 St. Louis police officers around the front entrance of the Lindell Trust Co. bank corner St. Louis Avenue and Grand Ave, 1981
#23 Bridge Over Brentwood To Connect Innerbelt to U.S. 40, 1982
#24 A view of the McKinley Bridge, 1985
#25 Rector Brown, 57, a die caster at Carter, 1981
#26 Union Station, 1984
#27 Media and friends gather at the ground breaking and kickoff of the $100 million plus Union Station Redecelopment (sic) project, 1983
#28 4th of July: The general scene on Art Hill in front of the St. Louis Art Museum in Forest Park, 1980
#29 Jefferson Barracks Cemetery Chapel, 1985
#30 Apex Oil Co Building, 1986
#31 Apex Sketch, 1981
#32 Tables And Chairs, 1986
#33 Armory 138th Infantry Missouri National Guard, 1986
#34 The Lighted Eads Bridge, 1981
#35 The Budweiser Rocket Car, 1980
#36 Anheuser-Busch Carpenters Replacing Windows, 1984
#37 Filming Of Budweiser Beer Commercial, 1985
#38 Bill Whiteley, An Anheuser-Busch Supervisor, 1981
#39 A worker inspects the Jonesboro, Arks, rice mill of Busch Agricultural Resources Inc, 1984
#40 Soccer at the Armory, 1982
#41 Caged Worker Continues Work On The Jefferson Barracks Bridge, 1981
#42 Jefferson Barracks Bridge: Bridge-work, 1981
Concrete supports stretch westward toward the Mississippi River as construction continues on the new Jefferson Barracks bridge being built north of Columbia. The bridge will replace the current structure and connect with the Interstate 270 bypass, which will extend to Interstate 55-70 at Collinsville.
Super random photo dump!
I would love to see more context for most of these photos, though.
These potholes are always spectacular, no matter what decade.