Marillac College

The now-defunct Marillac College for Women trained young women to become nuns and other religious vocations.I would imagine this was the main administration building for the college, which is graceful in its pure, simple design.

Interior, Franciscan Monastery, Marillac College

The interior chapel space is lit by the dramatic stained glass window in the apse, which reveals what could only be seen in passing on the exterior.It's an interesting space, with the two pictures here showing the space with the lights on and off.

Former Chapel, Marillac College

Now on the South Campus of UMSL, this performing arts space right on Natural Bridge Road is a unique building, with an apparent interest in the stained glass creator in moving the design outside from the inside.Above, you can see the design in blue, red and yellow of a large, resurrected Christ (I think). Below, you can see some of the unique tilework on the exterior of the building.

Great Wall of Fenton

I came across this massive retaining wall, complete with composite fence, with another retaining wall behind it.

Homage to Bad Mansard

This is my Sunset Hills homage to Bad Mansard.

Arsenal and Gravois

I love how this building wraps around the oddly angle corner of Arsenal and Gravois; you don't see buildings doing that so much anymore.

Valley Park Elevator

The historic Valley Park Elevator is the only remaining elevator in St. Louis County, and it even has its own website nowadays.

Meramec Valley Bank

I thought this bank building in Valley Park deserved mentioning, with its sleek lines and rock wall contrasts.

Frisco Hotel, Valley Park

Valley Park was just one of the many resorts that once lined the Meramec River in southwestern St. Louis County.The railroad dominates the area, and people would come out from the city and spend the weekend in the area. I wish it were still like that.But one wonderful remnant remains from that time period: the Frisco Hotel in downtown Valley Park. Read about it here.

Nothing's Sacred Anymore

This church was hit by the brick thieves, which baffles me as the brick is a buff color, which would not seem to be very popular with the local black market.Shards of brick litter the parking lot across the street, where the word "pastor" can still be seen in the respective parking space.The rest of the buildings are beautiful as well; these two twin apartment buildings are stunning.I love these little Italianate shotgun houses; they're not huge but the perfect residence for a small family or retiree. Chances are it will be a pile of rubble in a few years.

South of St. Louis Avenue, JeffVanderLou

I'm not exactly sure what neighborhood this is right here, but I think it is just inside the JeffVanderLou neighborhood. Regardless, it has been hit hard, very hard, by brick thieves.Some houses look perfectly fine, until you look more closely and you realize the back of the building has been hit.Other houses are complete and total losses, their walls shorn of their brick and left to rot until demolition by the city puts them out of their misery.

Barretts Elementary

Apparently there's been a school at this location since 1895, but the current Barretts Elementary dates from the 1930's. Sitting at Carman and Dougherty Ferry Roads, the school has been a fixture for over a century.

Museum of Transportation, West County

Saint Louis Avenue Despoliation #4

The contrast across Glasgow Avenue could not be more extreme; on one side is a perfectly fine mansion, and on the other side is devastation.This nice Italianate house has been sitting empty for years, and I'm afraid that it will be hit by brick thieves eventually as well.I'm not sure which one a problem, but one of these two buildings is starting to settle at an angle, leaving a sliver of light between the two houses.Next week, I will move off of St. Louis Ave to the neighborhood south of the street, where the devastation is even more pronounced.

Saint Louis Avenue Despoliation #3

It's a testimony to the quality of construction in the 19th Century that these buildings are still standing.

Saint Louis Avenue Despoliation #2

These little houses are maybe not the most exciting buildings in the city, but they are still interesting. What was the little storefront used for when it was occupied?It wasn't very large, obviously, so was it maybe a candy store, or a watch repairman?These buildings are trashed now, and it's sad to think of all the stories these walls could tell, watching the traffic go by on St. Louis Avenue, or inside, as countless people came and went over the years.Across the street, these two houses sit in isolation, awaiting the brick thieves...