The so-called Kosciusko neighborhood was targeted in the 1960's for new industrial sites in St. Louis. The only problem was that people lived there by the thousands, and they were forced out and their houses demolished. Fascinatingly, a few houses and businesses survive, often completely surrounded by newer industrial buildings. The intersection of De Kalb and Victor, seen here from the
air, is a perfect example.
Looking at the old
Sanborn Fire Insurance maps from one hundred years ago, one can see how many other houses once accompanied these survivors.
It's a strange, remote place, where on a Saturday I didn't see a single other person.
This tavern, looking like it is from the 1950's, seems to still serve thirsty workers after their shift is over.
These Italianate rowhouses got a slathering of concrete thrown on the front of them; the flats next to them look the same as any neighborhood in St. Louis.
This interesting building still fronts a railroad track; indeed, street trackage still permeates this neighborhood.
Apparently, the building was the
wood working shop of Wayne Manufacturing Company. I couldn't find anything on Wayne, except for the obituary of one of its former
vice presidents.
The so-called Kosciusko neighborhood was targeted in the 1960's for new industrial sites in St. Louis. The only problem was that people lived there by the thousands, and they were forced out and their houses demolished. Fascinatingly, a few houses and businesses survive, often completely surrounded by newer industrial buildings. The intersection of De Kalb and Victor, seen here from the air, is a perfect example.
Looking at the old Sanborn Fire Insurance maps from one hundred years ago, one can see how many other houses once accompanied these survivors.
It's a strange, remote place, where on a Saturday I didn't see a single other person.
This tavern, looking like it is from the 1950's, seems to still serve thirsty workers after their shift is over.
These Italianate rowhouses got a slathering of concrete thrown on the front of them; the flats next to them look the same as any neighborhood in St. Louis.
This interesting building still fronts a railroad track; indeed, street trackage still permeates this neighborhood.
Apparently, the building was the wood working shop of Wayne Manufacturing Company. I couldn't find anything on Wayne, except for the obituary of one of its former vice presidents.
I recently was reading a special section of the Post-Dispatch called "Our Towns" that provided information about towns in the metro area including 78 of the 79 neighborhoods in St. Louis City. They explain this in the introduction: "One of the [city] neighborhoods, the industrial Kosciusko area, has no residents and isn't included." I have never visited the neighborhood before (unless following the graffiti on the flood wall counts) but it does look like there are at least a few residents who deserve having their neighborhood recognized as one of our towns!
ReplyDeleteActually, these houses seem to have been converted into offices for the factories behind them.
ReplyDelete