MoHistory

Before Private Ellroy Clarence Dietz served in the US Marine Corps across the world, he was born on October 28, 1898, in St. Louis. We know little about his early life as one of eight children, but when he was almost 20 years old, Dietz enlisted in the Marines on April 15, 1918, during the …

Continue reading "From St. Louis to Smyrna (and Back Again)"

EDITOR’S NOTE: In order to bring a plurality of voices to our storytelling, the Missouri Historical Society frequently asks guest writers to contribute to History Happens Here. The views and opinions expressed by guest contributors are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missouri Historical Society, its affiliates, or …

Continue reading "Lucas and Garrison: Samuel Kennard"

In Part 1, we saw the undisciplined, narcissistic, yet deeply religious man Tom Dooley was before becoming famous for his humanitarian work in Vietnam and Laos. Working in Vietnam gave him something he had lacked: a sense of purpose. It also trapped him in a web of Cold War politics, intrigue, and deception. Intervention in …

Continue reading "A Closer Look at Dr. Tom Dooley: Dr. America in Vietnam"

Beneath St. Louisans’ feet lies a network of tunnels and caves that have been intertwined with this city’s history for hundreds of years. Once coveted sources of attraction, they’re now nearly forgotten and abandoned. These intricate subterranean caverns and tunnels were used by many, including Indigenous tribes, early brewers, Prohibition-era smugglers, and even homeless children. …

Continue reading "The Lost History of Underground St. Louis"

At the first Kennedy Center Honors in 1978, Grace Bumbry performed in honor of Marian Anderson. Anderson was a trailblazer in the opera world. As the first Black woman to perform at the White House, the Metropolitan Opera, and other prestigious institutions, her career set the stage for Bumbry and other Black opera singers to …

Continue reading "Grace Bumbry: The Black Venus"

Listen to an episode about Marie LaBastille on our Here’s History podcast with KDHX. What was life really like for women in early St. Louis? So often, the history that we learn skips over the daily patterns of life and jumps from big moment to big moment. For me, the most fascinating aspect of history is …

Continue reading "Marie LaBastille Outwits and Outlasts a Greedy Neighbor"

The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) started in St. Louis in 1947. In 1963, the St. Louis branch started one of its most prominent actions, the boycott of Jefferson Bank and Trust. The bank served majority-Black customers. Yet it had only two Black employees, a custodian and a messenger. CORE wanted to pressure the bank …

Continue reading "St. Louis’s Black Sunday Protests"

EDITOR’S NOTE: In order to bring a plurality of voices to our storytelling, the Missouri Historical Society frequently asks guest writers to contribute to History Happens Here. The views and opinions expressed by guest contributors are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missouri Historical Society, its affiliates, or …

Continue reading "Two Food Entrepreneurs: A Farmer and a Veteran"

Over the past few years, the Library & Research Center has faced a series of closures due to large construction projects and the COVID-19 pandemic. In February 2023, staff welcomed back researchers, students, teachers, and visitors of all types. The library’s collection continues to grow, and this post gives a look at some of these …

Continue reading "New to the Library: 5 Items for Exploring St. Louis’s Black History"

In the mid-20th century, several St. Louis neighborhoods were demolished in the name of urban renewal. One of the largest was the Mill Creek Valley neighborhood near Saint Louis University, home to over 20,000 African Americans. Approximately 6,000 buildings were demolished, leaving few hints of the neighborhood’s vibrant culture and community. One survivor is the …

Continue reading "The Mill Creek Valley Church That Survived Demolition"

“What’s in a shoe name?” That’s the question Marylin Bender asked in a 1964 New York Times article. Her answer: “Mainly confusion.” Bender provided numerous examples to illustrate that the name printed inside a shoe may be misleading. She offered this scenario: “A customer ordered a pair of shoes in a special color at the Delman Salon. …

Continue reading "What’s in a (Shoe) Name?"

St. Louis’s formation was slow as land was added bit by bit, much like a patchwork quilt is made. The size and shape of the city was in flux for nearly a century. Even today we can see the rise and fall of community neighborhoods that had been set for decades, and many people forget—or …

Continue reading "Patchwork St. Louis"

Think back to your childhood and remember the first rule you were taught upon visiting a museum. Does the phrase “don’t touch anything” come to mind? This was the worst rule for me as a tactile learner. When I was young, I wanted to touch and feel everything in an attempt to better understand it. …

Continue reading "Exploring Soldiers Memorial’s Teaching Collection"

Meacham Park was founded as an unincorporated entity in 1892. Located on Kirkwood’s southeastern border in St. Louis County, it has undergone numerous physical transformations and today only about half of the original community remains. Interstate 44 and various commercial developments have physically isolated the community and contributed to its rapid demise in the region’s historical memory. …

Continue reading "Meacham Park: A History of Strength, Perseverance, and Community"

During the mid-20th century, the St. Louis Institute of Music played an active role in musical education in the St. Louis area. Before merging with the Community Music School to form the Saint Louis Conservatory and Schools for the Arts (CASA) in 1974, the institute was one of many music schools operating across the US …

Continue reading "The Life and Times of Leo Sirota"

The journey of Howard Mechanic continues with this post. You can also check out the first part. Howard Mechanic turned himself in to US Marshals on February 10, 2000, and was quickly transferred to the prison at nearby Florence, Arizona. There he began serving his 5-year sentence that had been handed out in 1970. His …

Continue reading "Prison to Freedom: The Story of Howard Mechanic, Part 2"

EDITOR’S NOTE: In order to bring a plurality of voices to our storytelling, the Missouri Historical Society frequently asks guest writers to contribute to History Happens Here. The views and opinions expressed by guest contributors are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missouri Historical Society, its affiliates, or …

Continue reading "The War Bond King"

Among the compelling experiences of the Vietnam War, few St. Louis stories can compare to the intriguing tale of Howard Mechanic and his journey from activist to fugitive and from prison to freedom. It began nearly 53 years ago, reached a pinnacle 22 years ago today, and has a legacy that continues to resonate. An …

Continue reading "Activist to Fugitive: The Story of Howard Mechanic, Part 1"

Drawing connections between the past and present is one of the most important and interesting ways that we engage visitors at the Missouri History Museum. My current favorite place to find people making connections in the Museum is the exhibit Coloring STL, which focuses on architecture. Coloring STL pulls together so many different disciplines and ideas, …

Continue reading "From Festival Hall to the Flying Saucer: Investigating St. Louis Architecture"

In the grand days of riverboat music, St. Louis was a hotspot for musicians to make it big. There was no better place to play than the Capitol steamboat, home to the band of Fate Marable. If you wanted in, you had to be good, and have a pretty tough skin. Paducah native Fate Marable quickly …

Continue reading "Fate Marable and the Music of St. Louis Riverboats"