dual personalities

On this day back in 1909 St. Louis observed the 100th anniversary of its incorporation. A week-long celebration, backed by dozens of civic organizations, called the nation’s attention to the city which then ranked a proud fourth and which only five years earlier had staged the fabulous Louisiana Purchase Exposition.

The centennial festival coincided with Veiled Prophet week (founded by prominent St. Louisans in 1878), so the city was decked out in purple and gold for the “monarch,” and in red, white and blue banners for the anniversary…

Veiled Prophet Parade in 1878

To open the celebration, the city’s harbor boat sounded a blast at 5:59 a.m. From Chain of Rocks to River des Peres and from the Mississippi River to the city limits, church bells rang out along with steam whistles. As that salute died away, every carillon in the city chimed out the melodies of favorite hymns.

For more than a century, St. Louis enjoyed a spot among the top 10 cities in the country, but by 1970, the city had fallen to 18th. A decade later, to 26th. The city that once ranked fourth behind New York, Chicago and Philadelphia then tumbled out of the top 50, and now stands at 62. Indeed, the population of St. Louis has declined from its peak in 1950 by 62.7%.

Well, I was surprised to find out that these days Wichita is bigger than we are.

Back in 1909 St. Louisans were proud of their city. Today we talk about the Gateway Arch “honor(ing) historical events that are now understood as deeply problematic within the larger trajectory of American history.” Western expansion = a bad thing. Okay, then. That may explain a lot.

Discuss among yourselves.

[Information about the centennial from St. Louis Day By Day by Frances Hurd Stadler]