16 Photos That Show How Much St. Louis Has Changed... And How Much It Hasn't
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Laura Burks Overstreet
Author
You may have heard the saying by Jean-Baptiste Karr: “the more things change the more they stay the same.” This certainly seems to ring true in these photos of life in St. Louis. We have seen great changes, with buildings being demolished or new roadways built to handle a growing city, but these photos spanning over 100 years show that some parts of life are very much the same. Albeit, with some different names in a new century.
The first balloon race was held in 1973 and featured six hot air balloons. Since then, the race has grown to one of the best attractions in St. Louis! An added bonus of the Great Forest Park Balloon Race is the Balloon Glow held the night before the race.
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Opening in 1874 to grand fanfare, the Eads Bridge was a much needed addition spanning the Mississippi River.
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Steamboats were a vital part of St. Louis commerce and travel well into the 1900s.
Long gone are the days when steamboats were the quickest way to travel if you lived along the Mississippi River. Today, our steamboat trips are pleasurable sightseeing excursions, and the wooden homes and business have been replaced with steel and concrete buildings.
If you are old enough to have eaten at a Howard Johnson's, you are probably thinking of their fried clams right now!
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The train depot at Union Station was one of the largest in the nation when it was built.
St. Louis Union Station is a great example of redefining a space for a new age.
This gathering of the Pageant and Masque in 1919 drew a huge crowd.
While there still is a Veiled Prophet Ball, most people know the name from the V.P. Fair celebrations. Today, we have Fair St. Louis for our 4th of July celebrations downtown.
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This photo of A. Moll Groceries was taken between 1895 and 1910. The store was located near Delmar Boulevard north of DeBaliviere Avenue.
Order and cleanliness will always be a standard of a good grocery store. Some things will never change with the passing of time.
Do you have fond memories of St. Louis through the years? Share with us in the comments below!
Looking for more St. Louis history? Check out this list of 18 iconic St. Louis stores.
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