The book St. Louis Day-By-Day by Frances Hurd Stadler is fascinating, the entry for January 13th tells a chilling story from 175 years ago:
ABOVE: The old Courthouse in September 2011
Nathan Brown, newly arrived in St. Louis, wrote to his brother in the East, relating: “I witnessed the sale today by auction of a very interesting young negro boy, 15 years old — sold for $457-1/2. The little fellow was exhibited on the table the same as any other article — and examined by being made to walk back and forth, & by feeling his joints as one would examine a horse. The little fellow appeared to realize his condition and when the big tear rolled down his cheek would merely brush it aside and hold his head up with an air & manner which won him the sympathies of a great number of the spectators. I certainly never have seen a more submissive imploring look than he exhibited as soon as he was sold; his feelings were vented in floods of tears.” While some slave auctions –usually those held to settle estates–took place on the steps of the Old Courthouse, most sales were effected by private dealers who kept notorious slave pens. Ironically, one of these served as a federal prison during the Civil War.
According to this inflation calculator $457.50 in 1838 is equal to $9,515.96 in 2011 dollars. Wow, for a person! We’ve come a long way in the 175 years since but I don’t think we’re where we need to be.
The poll question this week asks your view on the state of race relations in St. Louis. Improving? Declining? Holding Steady? The poll question is in the right sidebar and the provided answers are presented in a random order.
Whenever I plan to be out of town I make sure I have posts until I return. However, as mentioned yesterday, I had to go out of town for a family funeral this afternoon. The last time I drove a car, until yesterday, was April 14, 2012 when I sold my Corolla (see post).
I rented a car from the Budget office in the Sheraton on 14th Street. Interestingly I was able to come & go at the Sheraton in my power chair using the front revolving door.
ABOVE: Revolving front door at Sheraton on 14th Street
Most are too small but this generous door allowed me to enter just like everyone else. I took the power chair there just to confirm details and do paperwork, I got a ride to pickup the car. My chair is too big and heavy for most vehicles, especially a compact.
Back in a few days, posts should resume by Sunday at the latest.
Metro has announced a change of policy regarding MetroLink ticket validation, effective today:
Starting Monday, January 7, 2013, all MetroLink tickets and 2-hour passes will need to be validated by customers prior to boarding the trains. The ticket vending machines will no longer automatically print the expiration time on these tickets or passes. This will allow customers the flexibility to purchase Metro tickets in advance of their trip, and then validate ticket when they are ready to use them. It also will eliminate confusion over whether or not tickets need to be validated. The following fares must be validated starting January 7.
Ride Ticket
Hour Pass
Round-Trip Tickets (each ticket immediately prior to travel)
Tickets from 10-Ride Ticket Booklets
I personally welcome this change, it allows buying a ticket before you need it.
ABOVE: Advance tickets must be validated as shown (top), tickets purchased at MetroLink machines will no longer have an expiration date, these can now be purchased in advance but they must be validatedABOVE: Red validation machines exist at entrances to all MetroLink stations/platforms
Nearly a decade ago the developers of the Old Post Office needed more tenants lined up so they could get their project financing, allowing them to raze the historic Century Building across the street for a parking garage. The St. Louis Public Library came through with a lease for an “express” library just four blocks east of the Central Library building and the Century came down.
ABOVE: Interior of the Central Express library in the Old Post Office
The Express was nice to have while the Central was closed for renovations but a cheaper temporary location could’ve been found, such as the still-vacant ground floor of the Library administration building at 1415 Olive.
The Century is long gone and Central reopened last month. Is the Express still needed? When does the lease expire? Should it be renewed?
The poll question this week asks if the Express, located four blocks from Central, be closed or kept open. The poll is in the right sidebar.
Also, the Central Library first opened 101 years ago today.
The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 has many standards for design professionals to use when designing everything from public streets to stadiums to public bathrooms. It doesn’t seem to require a soap dispenser usable only with one hand.
ABOVE: Soap dispenser best used with two hands
I see this type of dispenser way too often, if it’s really short I can use it one handed. Most of the time I have to wash my hand without soap. Someone continues to select this dispenser even though not everyone can use it. I can’t find an ADA requirement that a dispenser be able to be used with one hand.
The point? Regulation isn’t perfect. Designers must think, not just meet the minimum requirements.
AARP Livibility Index
The Livability Index scores neighborhoods and communities across the U.S. for the services and amenities that impact your life the most
Built St. Louis
historic architecture of St. Louis, Missouri – mourning the losses, celebrating the survivors.
Geo St. Louis
a guide to geospatial data about the City of St. Louis
