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Full-Text Articles in History
Nature Much Improved: The Curation Of A Nineteenth-Century Neighborhood And Greenspace, Shannan C. Mason
Nature Much Improved: The Curation Of A Nineteenth-Century Neighborhood And Greenspace, Shannan C. Mason
The Confluence (2009-2020)
Shannan Mason uses the Lucas Place neighborhood as a case study to understand the early movement of wealthier St. Louisans to the outskirts of the city and their role in rejecting crowded urban sensibilities for expanded greenspace. This article won the Morrow Prize for the Best Student Paper on a Missouri Topic from the Missouri Conference on History in 2020.
Death, Civic Pride, And Collective Memory: The Dedication Of Bellefontaine Cemetery In St. Louis, Jeffrey Smith
Death, Civic Pride, And Collective Memory: The Dedication Of Bellefontaine Cemetery In St. Louis, Jeffrey Smith
The Confluence (2009-2020)
Starting in the 1830s, cemeteries in cities like St. Louis became more than just burial grounds. They became places people visited and conveyors of a city’s collective memory. All this was conveyed in Truman Marcellus Post’s sermon at the dedication of Bellefontaine Cemetery in 1850.
New Perspectives On The Great Fire Of 1849, Bob Moore
New Perspectives On The Great Fire Of 1849, Bob Moore
The Confluence (2009-2020)
The story of the fire in St. Louis started by the steamboat White Cloud in 1849 often focuses on the destruction to the business district. This article sheds new light on the happenings during the fire from court testimony surrounding the destruction of Phillips Music Store, through eyewitness accounts.
A Gateway To The East: An Exploration Of St. Louis’ Mexican History Through The Built Environment, Daniel Gonzales
A Gateway To The East: An Exploration Of St. Louis’ Mexican History Through The Built Environment, Daniel Gonzales
The Confluence (2009-2020)
St. Louis had a relationship with Mexico dating to trade along the Santa Fe Trail starting in the 1820s. It came to include commerce, marketing, and migration starting in the late nineteenth century, as Daniel Gonzales details here.
Letter From A St. Louis Barroom, March 1849, Christopher Alan Gordon
Letter From A St. Louis Barroom, March 1849, Christopher Alan Gordon
The Confluence (2009-2020)
1849 was a seminal year in the history of St. Louis, as Christopher Gordon asserts in his new book, Fire, Pestilence, and Death: St. Louis, 1849—a devastating fire and cholera epidemic stood juxtaposed against a city growing at leaps and bounds and flooded by Argonauts seeking fortunes in the California gold fields. In this edited letter, which Gordon found while researching for his book, Edwin Hollister describes the burgeoning city.
Sanctuary On The Mississippi: St. Louis As A Way Station For Mormon Emigration, Thomas L. Farmer, Fred E. Woods
Sanctuary On The Mississippi: St. Louis As A Way Station For Mormon Emigration, Thomas L. Farmer, Fred E. Woods
The Confluence (2009-2020)
In the decades before the Civil War, St. Louis was considered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be the most Mormon-friendly city outside Salt Lake City. Thomas Farmer and Fred Woods examine the ways Mormons used St. Louis as a way station to earn money and replenish resources, while at the same time contributing to its growth.
From Prairie To Destination: The Story Of South Grand, Andrew Weil, Josh Burbridge
From Prairie To Destination: The Story Of South Grand, Andrew Weil, Josh Burbridge
The Confluence (2009-2020)
The business district on South Grand between Arsenal and Utah streets evolved from a prairie setting into a thriving business district when streetcars arrived. In this essay, Andrew Weil and Josh Burbridge chart the evolution of the business district through its architecture.
“In Defense Of The Faith: The Catholic Response To Anti-Catholicism In Early Nineteenth-Century St. Louis”, Sarah Hinds
“In Defense Of The Faith: The Catholic Response To Anti-Catholicism In Early Nineteenth-Century St. Louis”, Sarah Hinds
The Confluence (2009-2020)
One side effect of the Second Great Awakening was a rise in anti- Catholic sentiment, especially as new Catholic immigrants arrived in the 1840s. While much is written on this nativism, little examines the Church’s response. Sarah Hinds uses St. Louis as a case study for understanding the nature of antebellum nativism and the Church’s responses.
When Sleepy Hollow Came To St. Louis, Jeffrey Smith
When Sleepy Hollow Came To St. Louis, Jeffrey Smith
The Confluence (2009-2020)
As part of a broader expedition, writer Washington Irving—whose famous works include “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip van Winkle”—visited St. Louis in 1832. He had lunch with explorer and former territorial governor William Clark and saw Black Hawk imprisoned at Jefferson Barracks. Here is his account.
“Gateway Liberalism: Catholic And Jewish Responses To Racially Transitioning Neighborhoods And Schools In St. Louis’ West End, 1945–1960”, Sarah Siegel
The Confluence (2009-2020)
When St. Louis schools were desegregated starting with Catholic schools in 1947 and St. Louis public schools after the Brown v. Topeka Board of Education decision, not everyone supported the changes. Sarah Siegel compares the responses to desegregation by Catholics and Jews in the city’s west end.
"The World's Fair, Pruitt-Igoe, And The Myths Of Modernism", Timothy J. Fox
"The World's Fair, Pruitt-Igoe, And The Myths Of Modernism", Timothy J. Fox
The Confluence (2009-2020)
The 1904 World 's Fair and Pruitt-Igoe, a public housing project, are clearly defined in St. Louis history, one as being possibly the best event to take place in St. Louis and the other as the most epic of failures for the city. Here they are examined and the mythical promises of civic growth they both displayed.
"Where We Stand", John Posey, Mary Ricchio
"Where We Stand", John Posey, Mary Ricchio
The Confluence (2009-2020)
ln the wake of the summer's events, the discussion about race in American cities has accelerated. In this important article, Posey and Ricchio present their findings on how St. Louis stands in relation to other cities on key issues surrounding race.
"Creative Destruction In The Antebellum Marketplace: St. Louis Merchants And The Railroad Boom Of The 1850s", Mike Snodgrass
"Creative Destruction In The Antebellum Marketplace: St. Louis Merchants And The Railroad Boom Of The 1850s", Mike Snodgrass
The Confluence (2009-2020)
The 1850s was a time of great change for merchants in St. Louis. Railroads were moving in and with them came greater business competition. Commercial organizations such as the St. Louis Merchants Exchange came about to try to stabilize the marketplace. However, even these groups were unable to protect the market from the qualms and tribulations it would face .
"The Life Of Archer Alexander: A Story Of Freedom", Miranda Rectenwald
"The Life Of Archer Alexander: A Story Of Freedom", Miranda Rectenwald
The Confluence (2009-2020)
Follow the story of Archer Alexander and his road to freedom that started with exposing a neighbor for supporting the Confederacy, a risk that resulted in the ultimate freedom for himself and his family. It is a moving story of dedication and hope that took place in the region.
"Reflecting An Era", Kris Runberg Smith
"Reflecting An Era", Kris Runberg Smith
The Confluence (2009-2020)
The stained glass windows of St. Mark's Episcopal Church became a controversy among St. Louisans in the 1930s with their politically charged depictions, which were the brainchild of one man, Bishop William Scarlett. Windows depicting all -too-familiar scenes are paralleled with contemporary ones, but they may not be the ones you would expect.
“A Frontier City Through A Planner’S Eyes: Frederick Law Olmsted’S Visit To St. Louis”, Jeffrey Smith
“A Frontier City Through A Planner’S Eyes: Frederick Law Olmsted’S Visit To St. Louis”, Jeffrey Smith
The Confluence (2009-2020)
Just as he was becoming a noted planner and park designer, Frederick Law Olmsted spent more than two years as executive secretary of the United States Sanitary Commission to acquire supplies for Union troops and to raise money—which brought him into conflict with James Yeatman, head of the Western Sanitary Commission in St. Louis. In April 1863, Olmsted visited St. Louis; these were his impressions and observations.
Where We Stand: The Competitiveness Of The St. Louis Region, John Posey, Mary Ricchio
Where We Stand: The Competitiveness Of The St. Louis Region, John Posey, Mary Ricchio
The Confluence (2009-2020)
The East-West Gateway Council of Governments publishes its “Where We Stand” work that analyzes the place of the St. Louis region in the context of other cities. In this article, John Posey and Mary Ricchio interpret and analyze those standings.
“The Forest For The Trees: The Benefits Of The Trees Of Forest Park”, John L. Wagner
“The Forest For The Trees: The Benefits Of The Trees Of Forest Park”, John L. Wagner
The Confluence (2009-2020)
St. Louis was mostly exactly that—forest. After felling thousands of trees for the world’s fair and creating a new park, parts of Forest Park are still forested. John Wagner looks at tree plantings and species to determine if Forest Park is an environmentally sustainable park for the 21st century
“Living On The Color Line: 2800 Cass In A Period And Place Of Transition”, Lucas Delort
“Living On The Color Line: 2800 Cass In A Period And Place Of Transition”, Lucas Delort
The Confluence (2009-2020)
This co-winner of the Tatom Award explores the reasons why Delmar Avenue rather than Cass Avenue became the “Mason-Dixon Line” of St. Louis in the twentieth century.
“Anatomy, Grave-Robbing, And Spiritualism In Antebellum St. Louis”, Luke Ritter
“Anatomy, Grave-Robbing, And Spiritualism In Antebellum St. Louis”, Luke Ritter
The Confluence (2009-2020)
Dr. Joseph Nash Smith’s Missouri Medical College was a leading school for physicians and part of the professionalization of medicine before the Civil War. He also required human dissection that, along with being a St. Louis character, made him one of the period’s most controversial figures as well.
“‘A New Order Of Things’: St. Louis, Chicago, And The Struggle For Western Commercial Supremacy”, Drew Vandecreek
“‘A New Order Of Things’: St. Louis, Chicago, And The Struggle For Western Commercial Supremacy”, Drew Vandecreek
The Confluence (2009-2020)
St. Louis leadership during the Gilded Age was nothing if not confident, even suggesting that the nation's capitol be moved to the St. Louis region. Drew VandeCreek offers some of the writings of these boosters.
“St. Louis Builds A Post Office”, David Straight
“St. Louis Builds A Post Office”, David Straight
The Confluence (2009-2020)
As the city of St. Louis burgeoned in the middle of the nineteenth century, services struggled to keep up. David Straight examines the challenges presented to mail delivery in 1851.
The Lost Cause Ideology And Civil War Memory At The Semicentennial: A Look, Patrick Burkhardt
The Lost Cause Ideology And Civil War Memory At The Semicentennial: A Look, Patrick Burkhardt
The Confluence (2009-2020)
A half-century after the end of the Civil War, sectional tensions still existed in St. Louis. Patrick Burkhardt suggests that the Lost Cause ideology was alive and well in St. Louis, as revealed by the argument over erecting a new Confederate monument in Forest Park.
The Iowa Boys Winter In St. Louis, 1861-1862, David Straight
The Iowa Boys Winter In St. Louis, 1861-1862, David Straight
The Confluence (2009-2020)
Letters from men at Benton Barracks in St. Louis offer unique insights into the minds of men involved in the Civil War. David Straight looks at these letters and their stationary.
"Shall We Be One Strong United People...", Miranda Rectenwald, Sonya Rooney
"Shall We Be One Strong United People...", Miranda Rectenwald, Sonya Rooney
The Confluence (2009-2020)
This selection of diary entries, letters, and sermons by Unitarian minister William Greenleaf offers insights into the thinking of pro-Union leaders in St. Louis who were also antislavery.
“It Don’T Look Natural”: St. Louis Smoke Abatement In 1906, David L. Straight
“It Don’T Look Natural”: St. Louis Smoke Abatement In 1906, David L. Straight
The Confluence (2009-2020)
In this regular feature about postal history, Straight examines efforts at reducing smog—smoke abatement, at the time—using a 1906 card and coal company letterhead as a springboard.
Black Resistance To School Desegregation In St. Louis During The Brown Era, Jessica Mcculley
Black Resistance To School Desegregation In St. Louis During The Brown Era, Jessica Mcculley
The Confluence (2009-2020)
McCulley discusses opposition to school integration by African American educators in St. Louis at the time of the Brown v. Board of Education Decision.
The Journey Of The Sisters Of Charity To St. Louis, 1828, Carole Prietto
The Journey Of The Sisters Of Charity To St. Louis, 1828, Carole Prietto
The Confluence (2009-2020)
In 1828, four Sisters of Charity left Maryland to establish a new mission in the frontier city of St. Louis. For the first time, herein is the diary of one of the travelers in this remarkable and dangerous journey.
St. Louis: Air Mail Pioneer, David Straight
St. Louis: Air Mail Pioneer, David Straight
The Confluence (2009-2020)
In the decades after the Wright Brothers launched their first plane at Kitty Hawk, St. Louis was an aviation hub. Within a decade after that flight, the first airmail left Kinloch Field in St. Louis, with people sending what they knew were historic letters.
The Seeds Of St. Louis Regionalism, Mark Abbott
The Seeds Of St. Louis Regionalism, Mark Abbott
The Confluence (2009-2020)
Harland Bartholomew’s 1948 regional plan was not a radical departure, but heir to almost a century of regional thinking and planning—including more than three dozen airports.