I’d wager that there are very few people that know any of this history. Then again, that could be said for pretty much anyone’s hometown. All of this stuff just gets lost in the march of time.
I enjoyed your last post and am glad to see a follow up story about the history of this bridge.
I recently finished “Movers and Shakers, Scalawags and Suffragettes: Tales from Bellefontaine Cemetery” by Carol Ferring Shepley, and in the chapter about Bill Sublette she talks about Sulphur Springs and the Gratiot Square League. Highly recommend the book — it’s a great way to learn a lot of Missouri history!
You may have already come across this info in your research, but I’ll include some links in case not:
Thanks so much for the book recommendation. I've been looking for good books about St. Louis history and that sounds like a good one. In return, I'd recommend The Broken Heart of America by Walter Johnson, which is a phenomenal look at the history of St. Louis from a position informed by racism and inequality.
As for the links, I am very well acquainted with the wealth of knowledge Bob Corbett has shared online, and honestly, without his legwork, none of my research would have been possible. One of my next tasks is to see if he's still around!
Very interesting story about the Sulphur Springs area. I grew up on what is now Sulphur Ave. I like to think of
my family as being from that area...that street. They have been there since the early 1850's. So, I would be glad to offer that from what I know from my now deceased (1960's) grand father & very much alive 90 year old aunt, your account is mostly accurate. However, the 1920's map showing the black homes and church is absolutely incorrect.
THanks for the information. The map came from another researcher, and appears to have originated in a book, but I don't know the source. It was based on a single person's recollections.
I would love to know what other information you have of the area, any stories you'd like to share, or if your family has any photos or other items from Cheltenham that I could feature in a future article. I would especially love any information on the little bridge there, as I haven't been able to find much about it in particular and it's what started me on this journey. It's one of my favorite places in the whole city for reasons I can't explain, and I would love to know more.
This was a really interesting read!
Thanks! I’m having way too much fun doing the research and it’s hard to know if anybody else will care! 🤣
That’s too bad about the development, but I like that you’re immortalizing the land’s former glory.
I’d wager that there are very few people that know any of this history. Then again, that could be said for pretty much anyone’s hometown. All of this stuff just gets lost in the march of time.
What a fascinating, twisting tale!
and now you have a place to go the next time you’re in St. Louis, and you can dazzle your friends or family with your knowledge of the area. 😎
This was a fascinating read. Well done! All this history is a great backdrop for any story, really. Shame the springs are gone.
Thanks! To be honest, I'm kind of glad the springs are gone, given the poor state of the river.
I enjoyed your last post and am glad to see a follow up story about the history of this bridge.
I recently finished “Movers and Shakers, Scalawags and Suffragettes: Tales from Bellefontaine Cemetery” by Carol Ferring Shepley, and in the chapter about Bill Sublette she talks about Sulphur Springs and the Gratiot Square League. Highly recommend the book — it’s a great way to learn a lot of Missouri history!
You may have already come across this info in your research, but I’ll include some links in case not:
http://faculty.webster.edu/corbetre/dogtown/history/gratiot.html
http://faculty.webster.edu/corbetre/dogtown/history/schmidt/schmidt2.html
Thanks so much for the book recommendation. I've been looking for good books about St. Louis history and that sounds like a good one. In return, I'd recommend The Broken Heart of America by Walter Johnson, which is a phenomenal look at the history of St. Louis from a position informed by racism and inequality.
As for the links, I am very well acquainted with the wealth of knowledge Bob Corbett has shared online, and honestly, without his legwork, none of my research would have been possible. One of my next tasks is to see if he's still around!
Very interesting story about the Sulphur Springs area. I grew up on what is now Sulphur Ave. I like to think of
my family as being from that area...that street. They have been there since the early 1850's. So, I would be glad to offer that from what I know from my now deceased (1960's) grand father & very much alive 90 year old aunt, your account is mostly accurate. However, the 1920's map showing the black homes and church is absolutely incorrect.
THanks for the information. The map came from another researcher, and appears to have originated in a book, but I don't know the source. It was based on a single person's recollections.
I would love to know what other information you have of the area, any stories you'd like to share, or if your family has any photos or other items from Cheltenham that I could feature in a future article. I would especially love any information on the little bridge there, as I haven't been able to find much about it in particular and it's what started me on this journey. It's one of my favorite places in the whole city for reasons I can't explain, and I would love to know more.