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What St. Louis looked like in the 1950s Through these Fascinating Photos

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Step back in time to the 1950s, an era of poodle skirts, sock hops, and the soothing melodies of crooners filling the airwaves. Close your eyes and imagine the sweet scent of apple pie wafting through the window of a charming, all-American diner. As you stroll down memory lane, you’ll find yourself in the bustling heart of the Midwest: St. Louis, Missouri. This enchanting city stood as the Gateway to the West and a cultural epicenter during this iconic decade.

Let us take you on a nostalgic journey through the lively streets of St. Louis in the 1950s, when the city’s spirit was alive with the promise of progress and the excitement of discovery.

The city’s heart swelled with pride as the St. Louis Cardinals took to the baseball diamond. In the 1950s, the Cardinals were a force to be reckoned with, clinching the World Series title in 1957. Fans clad in red and white flocked to Sportsman’s Park to witness the legendary Stan “The Man” Musial swing his bat and cement his place in the annals of baseball history.

The city’s cultural scene also thrived, with the Gateway Arch beginning its ascent to the sky, forever altering the St. Louis skyline. Designed by the renowned architect Eero Saarinen, the gleaming stainless steel monument reached its apex in 1965, symbolizing the city’s role as the Gateway to the West and a testament to the indomitable spirit of the American people.

Amid the bustle of downtown St. Louis, the Gaslight Square entertainment district emerged as the crown jewel of the city’s nightlife. Gaslight Square, an eclectic mix of jazz clubs, bars, and theaters, was the stomping ground for local and nationally acclaimed artists. The air was alive with the smoky jazz notes as Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie graced the stages, casting their musical spells on eager audiences.

The city’s charm extended to its streets, where the clanging of streetcars and the hum of vintage automobiles created a symphony. Classic cars with fins and chrome accents gleamed in the sun, reflecting the optimism of a nation on the brink of unparalleled prosperity.

The spirit of innovation extended to the kitchen as well. The 1950s saw the birth of the iconic St. Louis-style pizza at Imo’s Pizza, where the thin, crispy crust and Provel cheese became a staple of the city’s culinary scene. As families gathered around Formica-topped tables, they shared slices of this local delicacy, savoring the flavors that have since become synonymous with the city.

In the 1950s, St. Louis was a city of dreams, where pursuing progress and embracing tradition intermingled to create a unique tapestry of American life. The echoes of laughter, music, and the chattering of friendly neighbors filled the air. At the same time, the clink of glass soda bottles and the whirl of malt shop jukeboxes provided a comforting soundtrack to this unforgettable era.

#1 The World’s Fair Pavillion at Forest Park, 1950.

The World's Fair Pavillion at Forest Park, 1950.

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#3 Anheuser-Busch Brewery – Newark Plant Picketers,1952

Anheuser-Busch Brewery - Newark Plant Picketers,1952

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#6 Montclair Apartments – Sitting room with furniture, 1951

Montclair Apartments - Sitting room with furniture, 1951

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#7 First National Bank’s building at Broard and Locust street looked before remodeling began, 1956

First National Bank's building at Broard and Locust street looked before remodeling began, 1956

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#8 Winston Churchill Apartments – Looking northeast on Cabanne Ave, 1950

Winston Churchill Apartments - Looking northeast on Cabanne Ave, 1950

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#11 Bank of St. Louis – Air Conditioning Installment, 1950

Bank of St. Louis - Air Conditioning Installment, 1950

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#12 Missouri’s present bar on branch banking is this $30,000 hole-in-the-ground. Lindell Trust Company, 2745 North Grand Bl., 1950

Missouri's present bar on branch banking is this $30,000 hole-in-the-ground. Lindell Trust Company, 2745 North Grand Bl., 1950

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#13 Moving Day started yesterday for the Mississippi Valley Trust Company, 1950

Moving Day started yesterday for the Mississippi Valley Trust Company, 1950

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#14 Manufacturers Bank and Trust Co. before modernization took place, 1950

Manufacturers Bank and Trust Co. before modernization took place, 1950

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#15 Mercantile Bank employes sitting in the staff longe on the 7th floor, 1950

Mercantile Bank employes sitting in the staff longe on the 7th floor, 1950

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#16 Boatmen’s Bank building on Broadway between Locust and Olive streets will be controlled by Superior Construction Company upon completion of a stock transfer now under way, 1950

Boatmen's Bank building on Broadway between Locust and Olive streets will be controlled by Superior Construction Company upon completion of a stock transfer now under way, 1950

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#21 The new Loughborough avenue bridge over the Missouri Pacific Railroad tracks was opened to traffic yesterday, 1957

The new Loughborough avenue bridge over the Missouri Pacific Railroad tracks was opened to traffic yesterday, 1957

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#26 A wall of the old Telegraphers’ National Bank Building forms a pile of debris after its sudden collapse during wrecking operations at the Broadway and Pine street site, 1958

A wall of the old Telegraphers' National Bank Building forms a pile of debris after its sudden collapse during wrecking operations at the Broadway and Pine street site, 1958

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#27 Plaza Apartments – Area to be cleared for Plaza development, 1955

Plaza Apartments - Area to be cleared for Plaza development, 1955

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#32 Plaza Apartments – Buildings to be demolished for development, 1955

Plaza Apartments - Buildings to be demolished for development, 1955

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#33 Plaza Apartments – Construction, elevated view, 1950

Plaza Apartments - Construction, elevated view, 1950

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#34 Plaza Apartments – Mayor Tucker swings the wrecking ball, 1955

Plaza Apartments - Mayor Tucker swings the wrecking ball, 1955

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#35 New Location For United Bank & Trust Company, 1958

New Location For United Bank & Trust Company, 1958

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#36 Exterior of Monticello Apartments, at 4535 Lindell Blvd. Henry R. Weisels Co., Realtors, 1957

Exterior of Monticello Apartments, at 4535 Lindell Blvd. Henry R. Weisels Co., Realtors, 1957

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#43 View of Market Street from Fifteenth Street before plaza clearance, 1955

View of Market Street from Fifteenth Street before plaza clearance, 1955

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#45 Anheuser-Busch Brewery – Elks Clebratory Arch, 1964

Anheuser-Busch Brewery - Elks Clebratory Arch, 1964

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#46 St. Louis Building Named For Air Force Colonel, 1954

St. Louis Building Named For Air Force Colonel, 1954

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#49 Anheuser-Busch Brewery – Stable to be Razed, 1958

Anheuser-Busch Brewery - Stable to be Razed, 1958

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#53 Building A Northwest Corner of Grand & St. Louis ave. 1958

Building A Northwest Corner of Grand & St. Louis ave. 1958

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#55 Alcoholics Anonymous Bought This residence at 4522 Lindell blvd for a meeting plce, 1950

Alcoholics Anonymous Bought This residence at 4522 Lindell blvd for a meeting plce, 1950

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#58 The old Coliseum at Washington boulevard and Jefferson avenue, 1953

The old Coliseum at Washington boulevard and Jefferson avenue, 1953

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#59 Work progresses on the widening of South Broadway at its intersection with Jefferson and Chippewa, 1950

Work progresses on the widening of South Broadway at its intersection with Jefferson and Chippewa, 1950

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#63 The Largest Bank Under One Roof–Mercantile Trust Co, 1951

The Largest Bank Under One Roof--Mercantile Trust Co, 1951

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#64 Plaza Apartments – Debris from demolition, 1955

Plaza Apartments - Debris from demolition, 1955

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#65 The Carling Brewery Company’s Brewing Process, 1957

The Carling Brewery Company's Brewing Process, 1957

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#66 Montclair Apartments – Exterior view of building, 1953

Montclair Apartments - Exterior view of building, 1953

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#68 The St. Mary Magdalen Boy Scout troops march in the school parade, June, 1955.

The St. Mary Magdalen Boy Scout troops march in the school parade, June, 1955.

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#69 Pigskin Park-and-Ride Scores at Union Station, 1959

Pigskin Park-and-Ride Scores at Union Station, 1959

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#71 The gymnasium/auditorium of the National Hall of the Czechoslovak Society of America, located on Dolman and Allen avenues, 1950.

The gymnasium/auditorium of the National Hall of the Czechoslovak Society of America, located on Dolman and Allen avenues, 1950.

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#72 The entrance of a bar located at 4055 Olive Street St. Louis, 1958

The entrance of a bar located at 4055 Olive Street St. Louis, 1958

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#76 Fleet of taxis parked outside the Black and White Cabs company. Eads Bridge in the background, 1956

Fleet of taxis parked outside the Black and White Cabs company. Eads Bridge in the background, 1956

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#77 Anheuser-Busch Brewery – Beer Stacked for Shipment, 1957

Anheuser-Busch Brewery - Beer Stacked for Shipment, 1957

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#80 Anheuser-Busch Brewery – Machinist Union Picket, 1952

Anheuser-Busch Brewery - Machinist Union Picket, 1952

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#82 Anheuser-Busch Brewery – Emission Reduction, 1951

Anheuser-Busch Brewery - Emission Reduction, 1951

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#85 Sight of Downtown section space before it was built into a bank, 1951

Sight of Downtown section space before it was built into a bank, 1951

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#89 Families Of 77 Servicemen, 1951. Killed in WWII filed behind chaplains and an honor guard yesterday as they would through Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

Families Of 77 Servicemen, 1951. Killed in WWII filed behind chaplains and an honor guard yesterday as they would through Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

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#91 Boards and girders hang crazily after this one-lane bridge on Old Baumgartner road over Mattese Creek in south St. Louis, 1955

Boards and girders hang crazily after this one-lane bridge on Old Baumgartner road over Mattese Creek in south St. Louis, 1955

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#94 The Unprotected Opening Of The McKinley Bridge, 1955

The Unprotected Opening Of The McKinley Bridge, 1955

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#95 Deteriorated Steel-Work On The Twenty-First Street Bridge, 1956

Deteriorated Steel-Work On The Twenty-First Street Bridge, 1956

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#96 Path of Fatal Plunge At The President Apartments, 1951

Path of Fatal Plunge At The President Apartments, 1951

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#97 Garment District Building, at the southeast corner of Thirteenth street and Washington avenue, figured in a trade last week, 1955

Garment District Building, at the southeast corner of Thirteenth street and Washington avenue, figured in a trade last week, 1955

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#98 A mud hole, attended by children, in the rear of 1100 block of Scott next to Jefferson Barracks, 1955

A mud hole, attended by children, in the rear of 1100 block of Scott next to Jefferson Barracks, 1955

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#100 Jefferson Barracks – Telegraph and Lemay Ferry, Aerial View, 1959

Jefferson Barracks - Telegraph and Lemay Ferry, Aerial View, 1959

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#101 Traffic safety pledges were signed by Flagstaff Brewing Corporation’s 125 truck drivers, 1953

Traffic safety pledges were signed by Flagstaff Brewing Corporation's 125 truck drivers, 1953

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#102 Police officers inspect scene of a bombing at the AFL bricklayers’ union, 1953

Police officers inspect scene of a bombing at the AFL bricklayers' union, 1953

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#103 Built In 176 Working Hours, 1953. This new addition for the Alligator Company at 4153 Bingham ave. was completed a month from the date it was started.

Built In 176 Working Hours, 1953. This new addition for the Alligator Company at 4153 Bingham ave. was completed a month from the date it was started.

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#105 MacArthur Bridge-Traffic Was Tied Up Again, 1957

MacArthur Bridge-Traffic Was Tied Up Again, 1957

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#106 MacArthur Bridge workmen break up old pavement in preparation for resurfacing the span, 1985

MacArthur Bridge workmen break up old pavement in preparation for resurfacing the span, 1985

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#107 Heavy steel guard rails at the curb line protect curves on the east approach to MacArthur Bridge, where three persons have been killed in less than eight days, 1950

Heavy steel guard rails at the curb line protect curves on the east approach to MacArthur Bridge, where three persons have been killed in less than eight days, 1950

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#108 The MacArthur Bridge, Formerly Named The Free Bridge, 1953

The MacArthur Bridge, Formerly Named The Free Bridge, 1953

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#110 Eads Bridge-Plunging 85 Feet, 1953. Plunging 85 feet in his taxicab from the eastern approach of Eads Bridge, an East St. Louis cab driver was killed last night.

Eads Bridge-Plunging 85 Feet, 1953. Plunging 85 feet in his taxicab from the eastern approach of Eads Bridge, an East St. Louis cab driver was killed last night.

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#116 Rows of taxicabs parked outside the Black and White Cab company, 1950

Rows of taxicabs parked outside the Black and White Cab company, 1950

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#118 Twenty-Third and Cole Streets – Tenement Collapse,

Twenty-Third and Cole Streets - Tenement Collapse,

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#119 Bly-Moss West, the new Bly-Moss Furniture Company store at Clayton and Lindbergh roads in Ladue, 1953

Bly-Moss West, the new Bly-Moss Furniture Company store at Clayton and Lindbergh roads in Ladue, 1953

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#122 Police Stand Guard At Jefferson Bank and Trust, 1956

Police Stand Guard At Jefferson Bank and Trust, 1956

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#125 Burlington Grain Elevator – On Its Way Down, 1954

Burlington Grain Elevator - On Its Way Down, 1954

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#127 Demolition of the Burlington Grain Elevator, 1953

Demolition of the Burlington Grain Elevator, 1953

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#128 Board of Education Building-Audio-Visual Demonstration, 1951

Board of Education Building-Audio-Visual Demonstration, 1951

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#129 Demolition of the historic Coliseum at Washington and Jefferson avenues, 1953

Demolition of the historic Coliseum at Washington and Jefferson avenues, 1953

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#134 Schematic of a Building for the State Division of Employment Security at Broadway, 1958

Schematic of a Building for the State Division of Employment Security at Broadway, 1958

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#135 New Building for the State Division of Employment Security, 1959

New Building for the State Division of Employment Security, 1959

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#136 Site for Office Building at Washington and Broadway, 1958

Site for Office Building at Washington and Broadway, 1958

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#138 New State Office Building at 505 Washington ave, 1955

New State Office Building at 505 Washington ave, 1955

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#139 Throngs of women pour into the Shenandoah Theater (above) for two films on cancer presented at 23 St. Louis area theaters by The Globe-Democrat and the American Cancer Society’s St. Louis and St. Louis County unit, 1959

Throngs of women pour into the Shenandoah Theater (above) for two films on cancer presented at 23 St. Louis area theaters by The Globe-Democrat and the American Cancer Society's St. Louis and St. Louis County unit, 1959

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#140 Capacity crowd attends showing of cancer films at Loew’s Orpheum Theater, 1959

Capacity crowd attends showing of cancer films at Loew's Orpheum Theater, 1959

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#143 the “Lift-Slab” Technique of Construction, 1955

the "Lift-Slab" Technique of Construction, 1955

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#148 Architect’s conception of how the building at 819 Locust Street will appear after it is completely remodeled and converted into the Downtown Medical Building, 1958

Architect's conception of how the building at 819 Locust Street will appear after it is completely remodeled and converted into the Downtown Medical Building, 1958

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#150 The A. And L. Dunn Load & Mercantile Company,1950

The A. And L. Dunn Load & Mercantile Company,1950

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#152 The old Conroy building at Eleventh and Olvie streets, which was built in 1875, has become the new and modern Eleven Hundred Olive building, 1958

The old Conroy building at Eleventh and Olvie streets, which was built in 1875, has become the new and modern Eleven Hundred Olive building, 1958

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#154 Old company building at Eleventh and Olive, 1958

Old company building at Eleventh and Olive, 1958

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#156 A Veterinarian Went On Duty at the Dog Pound, 1953

A Veterinarian Went On Duty at the Dog Pound, 1953

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#157 Exercise kennels are available for warm weather. They adjoin inside cages, 1955

Exercise kennels are available for warm weather. They adjoin inside cages, 1955

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#159 The City Harbor Office on St. Louis’ River Front, 1959

The City Harbor Office on St. Louis' River Front, 1959

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#161 Building a defense against itself, the Mississippi sends sand and silt from a dredge far out in the river through a submerged pipe and up over the bank to the location of a new earthen levee, 1959

Building a defense against itself, the Mississippi sends sand and silt from a dredge far out in the river through a submerged pipe and up over the bank to the location of a new earthen levee, 1959

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#163 Industrial Acres for Warehousing, Packaging and Shipping, 1959

Industrial Acres for Warehousing, Packaging and Shipping, 1959

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#164 A mass of balloons being released over St. Louis, 1956

A mass of balloons being released over St. Louis, 1956

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#167 Residential with no cost limit was won by William T. Schoen… with a chimney star, 1955

Residential with no cost limit was won by William T. Schoen... with a chimney star, 1955

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#169 A winter scene with an animated Santa Claus and reindeer at the Winston Churchill Apartments, 1957

A winter scene with an animated Santa Claus and reindeer at the Winston Churchill Apartments, 1957

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#170 Ice floes appear on the Mississippi for the first time at St. Louis this winter, 1955

Ice floes appear on the Mississippi for the first time at St. Louis this winter, 1955

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#174 Nellie Fox filed out to Frank Robinson in short left field to end the second inning after the American League All-Stars had scored two runs, 1957

Nellie Fox filed out to Frank Robinson in short left field to end the second inning after the American League All-Stars had scored two runs, 1957

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#180 Steamboat David R. Powell carrying varying cargo from St. Louis, 1952

Steamboat David R. Powell carrying varying cargo from St. Louis, 1952

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#181 Close up view of the City Hall Building’s window, 1955

Close up view of the City Hall Building's window, 1955

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#183 Workers at the Central Concrete Company plant at 2231 Papin St. began repairing the long conveyor belt which carries cement and gravel to the mixer, 1953

Workers at the Central Concrete Company plant at 2231 Papin St. began repairing the long conveyor belt which carries cement and gravel to the mixer, 1953

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#186 Catholic Women’s League Day Care Nursery 1515 N. Market: Playground: New “Climber” Creates Clamor, 1959

Catholic Women's League Day Care Nursery 1515 N. Market: Playground: New "Climber" Creates Clamor, 1959

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#187 City Hall, A New and Eye-Catching Landscape, 1957

City Hall, A New and Eye-Catching Landscape, 1957

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#189 Bare flag pole, located between City Hall and the Municipal Courts Building, 1956

Bare flag pole, located between City Hall and the Municipal Courts Building, 1956

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#196 City Hall was Bathed in a Symphony of red, green and amber harmony last night as teh colored spot lights denoting the Christmas season were turned on. In the background, looking west is the Federal Building, 1955

City Hall was Bathed in a Symphony of red, green and amber harmony last night as teh colored spot lights denoting the Christmas season were turned on. In the background, looking west is the Federal Building, 1955

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#197 Collapsed Wall at Controlled Casting Company foundry, 1952

Collapsed Wall at Controlled Casting Company foundry, 1952

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#198 3617 Olive St. Formaly was Grand National Bank of St. Louis, 1958

3617 Olive St. Formaly was Grand National Bank of St. Louis, 1958

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#199 Exterior outdoor view of the Grain Silo with parked cars, 1954

Exterior outdoor view of the Grain Silo with parked cars, 1954

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#200 Before remodeling the commercial building northeast corner of Sixth and Olive streets, it looked like this in 1951

Before remodeling the commercial building northeast corner of Sixth and Olive streets, it looked like this in 1951

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#205 A view of downtown St. Louis with a shot of City Hall, 1958

A view of downtown St. Louis with a shot of City Hall, 1958

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#212 Street Scene, looking east on Market street from Theresa street about 5 p. m., 1955

Street Scene, looking east on Market street from Theresa street about 5 p. m., 1955

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#214 Broadway street. Looking north from Chestnut, 1959

Broadway street. Looking north from Chestnut, 1959

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#217 South Broadway Street. Looking north from St. George Street, 1956

South Broadway Street. Looking north from St. George Street, 1956

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#218 Old cannon from World War I alarms small public area where Broadway curves slightly at Gasconade, 1956

Old cannon from World War I alarms small public area where Broadway curves slightly at Gasconade, 1956

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#223 Life General American Insurance Co. Building, 1958

Life General American Insurance Co. Building, 1958

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#226 Broadway Street. Looking south from St. Charles, 1956

Broadway Street. Looking south from St. Charles, 1956

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#227 Building at 11th & Locust looking north on 11th, 1958

Building at 11th & Locust looking north on 11th, 1958

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#228 The building of the First National Bank with people passing it by, 1950

The building of the First National Bank with people passing it by, 1950

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#229 Overflow crown protests Jefferson Barracks housing project, 1950

Overflow crown protests Jefferson Barracks housing project, 1950

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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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