Category Archives: St. Louis County

Finding Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in St. Louis

by Michael R. Allen Our city’s enduring legacy to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. consists of the renamed Veterans Memorial Bridge (built 1951, renamed 1968) and the several-miles of combined Franklin and Easton avenues (renamed in 1968). The bridge is … Continue reading

Posted in Bridges, Fountain Park, Martin Luther King Drive, Mid-Century Modern, North St. Louis, St. Louis County | Leave a comment

Lewis and Clark Branch Library Threatened

by Michael R. Allen In my capacity as President of Modern STL, I just sent out the following call to action. As we near the November 6 election, the demolition threat to the Lewis and Clark Branch remains. (Read up … Continue reading

Posted in Mid-Century Modern, St. Louis County | 3 Comments

Architect Robert Elkington’s House

by Michael R. Allen Since the summer, the mid-century modern residence designed and occupied by architect Robert Elkington has sat on the market for sale. But now, the house is under contract — and its future is as uncertain as … Continue reading

Posted in Mid-Century Modern, St. Louis County | 1 Comment

The Schweiss House: Bernoudy-Mutrux’s Parallelogram Dwelling

by Michael R. Allen The Schweiss House, located at 4 Daniel Road in Ladue, is one of two diminutive houses on geometric modules completed in 1952 by the master modern firm Bernoudy-Mutrux. The other house is the triangular Pinkney House … Continue reading

Posted in Ladue, Mid-Century Modern, St. Louis County | 3 Comments

Garden Chapel Work Day on Saturday

From Modern STL: The Garden Chapel (Church of the Open Word) 1040 Dautel just north of Olive in Creve Coeur is planning a outdoor workday on Saturday, July 14, starting around 6:00 a.m. until noon depending upon the heat and … Continue reading

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Isadore Shank’s Limberg House Demolished

by Michael R. Allen Fifty-two years ago, Charles Limberg and Suzanne Shapleigh moved into their new home at 22 Fordyce Lane in Ladue. Their two-story home spread out horizontally across a sloping site largely disrupted by construction. Red brick, plate … Continue reading

Posted in Demolition, Ladue, Mid-Century Modern, St. Louis County | 6 Comments

Brownhurst and the Logic of the “Campus”

by Michael R. Allen Last week, St. John Vianney High School demolished the venerable Brownhurst mansion in Kirkwood. The demolition was no surprise, given that the Marianists had set September 9 as the date for a “serious” buyer who would … Continue reading

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Two Houses by Isadore Shank

by Michael R. Allen Two weeks ago, the Sheldon Art Galleries kicked off the St. Louis end of National Preservation Month with a tour of four houses designed by Isadore Shank. Shank (1902-1992) was one of St. Louis’ most masterful … Continue reading

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“We Knead Your Dough”

Posted in Neon, North County, Signs, St. Louis County | Leave a comment

Tropicana Owner Tino DiFranco on Bowling in St. Louis

The owner of Tropicana Lanes, Tino DiFranco, spoke at the Tropicanniversary — the 50th birthday party for the bowling alley — on March 15, 2011.  Modern STL sponsored the event, which attracted a large crowd that celebrated one of the … Continue reading

Posted in Mid-Century Modern, St. Louis County | 1 Comment