12 December 2011

The Monday Mystery..

Where in St. Louis am I?



This week is a little harder to guess, even for the locals.

Last week, was The Ruins in Tower Grove Park.  That place is a HUGELY popular backdrop for area weddings.  If you find yourself there between May and October on a Saturday afternoon, you will be lucky to identify the rocky structure.  People are practically climbing on each other to get a picture taken all over the rocks.

These "rocks" are arranged pretty nicely, but it wasn't always this way.  These are actually "the ruins" of the old Lindell Hotel from 1867.  I can't remember if the hotel burned to the ground (I think so), or if it was just demolished in time.  Either way, Henry Shaw had the large stones carted out to Tower Grove Park and placed around the pond commissioned for the miniature sailboating hobby that was extremely popular around the turn of the century.

Truly a man before his time, Henry Shaw was quite famous for recycling old stonework from around town and using it throughout the park.  The Magnolia Street entrance gates are columns from The Old Courthouse.  The balusters surrounding the pond containing The Ruins are from the top of another old building that was being razed downtown.  Several other examples randomly appear around the park.  As time goes, I will try and chronicle what I learn.  The more I learn about the park, the more it, and Henry Shaw, fascinates me.

3 comments:

  1. I don't know where you are, but I'm guessing its a candy store. Love all those jars lined up.
    Interesting that your guy Henry Shaw was into recycling old materials from buildings. My chair display today was recycled from the old ice hockey stadium that's now a grocery store!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I would have to guess Soulard Farmers Market. Not bright enough for Crown Candy.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm going to bet this is the Crown Candy Company! A great place for a milkshake!

    ReplyDelete