Notre Dame High School

One time while visiting Jefferson Barracks, I headed north and discovered this wonderful convent(?) and its neighboring school. The site occupies a dramatic site above the Mississippi River, and dominates the small neighborhood around it.Notre Dame High School is absolutely gigantic, even before the 1950's wing was added. What is interesting is that the building faces the river, away from the nearby streets.Here is a little history of the high school, from the official website.
The high school can be seen here, from Live Search.



There is a modernist addition, which is for the most part the school portion of the complex, I think.It is an interesting structure that fits in well with its red brick neighbor to the south, complete with a bridge over the front drive.

This fascinating mosaic decorates the lintel of the school; I have no idea why the ancient Roman abbreviation SPQR is over the door.

Bella Villa

I had always noticed on maps the tiny municipality of Bella Villa, tucked away in still largely unincorporated South County. I was intrigued driving through two Sundays ago at the beauty of the houses, which look like they could be out of St. Louis Hills across the border.I am not sure about the history of the subdivision--which is what Bella Villa basically is--but it looks to be a planned community near Lemay built in the 1940's.It also is apparently a huge speedtrap, which I wish I would have known before I went down there. I must have looked pretty suspicious driving around snapping pictures, but luckily no cops were to be found.Here is a bird's eye view of the town.

Hancock Junior High

While out wandering around two weekends ago in the Lemay area of South County, I stumbled upon this wonderful concrete geodesic dome at the Hancock Junior High School. I have no idea where it was, but it was somewhere near Lemay Ferry Road. I wonder if it was inspired by the Climatron at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Oh, here it is.

Near North Riverfront Odds and Ends

Chinatown, Washington, DC

Photo by Jeff Philips

Slay Letter

Scan courtesy of Barbara Manzara

A Little Bit of Dutchtown

St. Anthony of Padua

Rally Against McKee

The rally on Saturday against Paul McKee began at Sts. Teresa and Bridget's Catholic Church at N. Grand and N. Market.All throughout the march, we witnessed McKee's cronies cleaning up yards of their property. Perhaps they're worried that McKee will finally be cited for the dozens of code violations his properties break?It was good to see so many leaders who have real clout out and marching with regular citizens of the St. Louis area.A reporter from KMOX was there for the closing speeches at N. Florissant and N. Market, where the march concluded. It will be interesting to see if it gets on the radio.Among the speakers shown are April Ford Griffin, Sheila Rendon and other public officials whose names I have forgotten.

Sports and Cities

How important is it really that a city have sports teams to be ecomically successful? Many major cities don't have any major league teams, and they're doing quite well. Are the presence of sports teams more a vestige of being a large city in early Twentieth Century America? Read the article here about the relation between sports and city size.

4th Baptist Church

Slay Letter to April Ford-Griffin Regarding McKee

Among the many matters discussed by speakers at the Saturday rally against Paul McKee was a letter that April Ford Griffin, alderwoman of the 5th ward, received on October 3.

After a standard opening, Slay states the following:

I strongly support more private investment in the 5th ward as long as it creates quality jobs and improves the quality of life for the people who live in the 5th ward.

Any development must reflect the ward's diversity. It would be beneficial if it includes both affordable housing and market rate housing.

Any major redevelopment plan will not go forward until and unless there is public input, which includes open dialogue among the developers, the residents and elected officials.

I will not support eminent domain for owner occupied properties.

I will not support a redevelopment plan that does not have community support expressed through the community's elected representatives.

I will oppose Old North St. Louis being part of a major redevelopment plan unless the residents want to be included.

My administration will not sell LRA holdings as part of a major redevelopment plan unless the community supports the plan through their elected representatives.

Anyone who owns property in the 5th ward must take care of it by meeting codes to ensure public safety and health.

The last bullet point from Slay is interesting, as workers were out all over the place on Saturday as we marched by, cleaning up McKee's properties. I wonder if it was a coincidence? One of the workers had threatened one of the speakers the day before; it reminds me of my own experience with McKee's henchmen on Montgomery Street.

I will post pictures of the march as soon as I get back to my base of operations to download the images from my camera.

Eads Bridge Metrolink Station