St. Louis lost many memorable citizens within this past year including Ernest Trova, Jasper Giardina and Mickey Carroll.


The original Metalcraft plant where the trucks were produced is still standing. Below are new photos I took on June 3, 2009; little has changed with the factory within the past 10 years, the remaining glassblock windows on the front of the building (facing Penrose) have been boarded over, the sides of the building appear to be the same.


Copyright Andrew Tolch 2009


The refurbished Donut Drive-In Neon Sign at Watson Road and Chippewa is proudly standing again after a much needed face-lift!

Follow developments and news pertaining to historic structures in Saint Louis on: BUILT ST. LOUIS HERE



The Clemens Mansion at 1849 Cass Ave in North St. Louis. I took these photos on June 3, 2009
(Sanctuary building is on the right, Clemens house has the blue tarp over the porch)

--- Trautwein Shoe Store and the original Red Goose Shoes Sign (Gravois Rd.)




NEW photos of the building of Noah's Ark Restaurant in St. Charles, Missouri.
I had the pleasure to know the designer and sculptor: Edna Goodenough.

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Edna on the right loading the Elephant on its trip to the construction of Noah's Ark.

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The original Metalcraft (Toy) Corp. building as it still stands in North St. Louis.

At one point the majority of the building was covered in windows and glass blocks, allowing a large amount of natural light into the plant, but in the words of designer Al Korte, making it 'hot as hell in there during a St. Louis summer'. Edna Korte, Al's wife, said Al would come home in the summer evenings still wet with sweat from the factory.


St. Louis Automotive tidbits.....

The Willys Overland Company sold cars in 1911, in St. Louis at 5885 Delmar.
Here is the original sales annoucement:




All photos copyright and property of the Andrew Tolch collection.




A salesman's sample pump from the St. Louis Gasoline Pump Company (date unknown).


SAVE the James Clemens Mansion in North St. Louis.

- Photos and information from Michael Allen's 'Ecology of Absence'. HERE ...and...HERE



St. Louis LINKS of interest


Bygone St. Louis - A site featuring historic St. Louis photos, drawings and prints.

BUILT St. Louis - A site dedicated to historic architecture of St. Louis, Missouri.

VANISHING STL - Chronicles of the vanishing urban landscape of St. Louis.

The Missouri History Museum - A wonderful trip through time for family and friends.