karenk : photos : Old North St. Louis Bike Tour

Highlights of the first bike tour sponsored by the St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation! Bob Bailey and Harold Karabell led this tour of Old North St. Louis on May 13, 2006, for 20 participants.

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karenk > Tour leader and route planner extraordinaire Bob Bailey speaking to the assembled multitude before the start of the ride. Immediately behind Bob, in the safety vest, is Bike Fed member Harold Karabell, who assisted Bob in describing the architecture and history of Old North St. Louis.

The tour covered most of the Old North St. Louis Historic District, an area bounded on the north by Branch St., on the south by Cass Ave., on the east by the Mississippi, and on the west by North Florissant Ave.

In addition, the tour went outside the actual boundaries of Old North St. Louis to visit the James Clemens House (1849 Cass), St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, the Brewery Apartments, and Hyde Park.

The tour covered approximately 12 miles and dozens of sites of historical and/or architectural interest.

karenk > Along the "Mighty Mississippi" where North St. Louis began in 1816 as a town separate and distinct from St. Louis City, its neighbor to the south. The town of North St. Louis remained a separate political entity until its annexation in 1841.

karenk > Bob points out architectural detail on a typical Old North St. Louis townhouse in the 1300 block of Hebert St. Across the street is the former Ames School Kindergarten and the site of the former Henry Ames School itself.

The persistence and adaptability of a very high-quality vernacular brick residential architecture in Old North St. Louis from the mid- to late-19th century is shown by the house at the far left of the photo. It is essentially the same house as the one to which Bob is pointing, but considerably embellished in this case by the addition of an Italianate entryway and cornice along with a Second Empire ("Mansard" or "French") third floor.

karenk > The owner of a beautifully-maintained and rare example of the Queen Ann style in the 1400 block of Hebert St (with ivy-covered front porch at the right rear of the photo). She and her husband also own the lovingly restored Italianate-style townhouse immediately behind her.

The 1400 block of Hebert is an exceedingly rare instance of a completely intact block from the mid- to late-19th century. Speaking of the architecture which ranges from "Federal vernacular" to "Second Empire," Harold described the block as "one of the most remarkable residential streetscapes to be found not only anywhere in St. Louis but in the entire Midwest as well."

To the right in the photo is Bike Fed Board Member John Sweet.

karenk > Alley houses and "flounder houses," common in Soulard, are also found in Old North St. Louis. These alley houses, in various states of restoration or decay, are on the southside of the 1400 block of Hebert. A "flounder-style" residence (also known as a "half-house") that fronts onto Hebert St. is visible at the left between the two alley structures.

karenk > One of the "newer" structures in Old North St. Louis, this public bath house was built in the then-fashionable Art Deco style in 1937. Municipal Bath House #6 remained open for both men and women (and children) until 1965. Amazingly, well over half of the residential buildings in Old North St. Louis were without either indoor plumbing or private baths until the 1950s.

karenk > Less than three miles from the Gateway Arch, Eli Karabell (age 10) stops to reflect on the lush greenery, abandonment, and rehab along with new construction that characterize many parts of Old North St. Louis.

karenk > Old North St. Louis Bike Tour photo

karenk > Perhaps the saddest architectural sight on the entire tour, the landmark Mullanphy Emigrant Home (1609 E. 14th St.) lost much of its south facade in a recent storm. Built in 1867 from funds left by former mayor Bryan Mullanphy, the Home functioned as a traveler's aid society and shelter for several years before its conversion in the early 20th century to the Absorene Manufacturing Company.

The Mullanphy Emigrant Home was described by Harold as "endangered landmark number one" in the City of St. Louis.

Tour leader and route planner extraordinaire Bob Bailey speaking to the assembled multitude before the start of the ride. Immediately behind Bob, in the safety vest, is Bike Fed member Harold Karabell, who assisted Bob in describing the architecture and history of Old North St. Louis.

The tour covered most of the Old North St. Louis Historic District, an area bounded on the north by Branch St., on the south by Cass Ave., on the east by the Mississippi, and on the west by North Florissant Ave.

In addition, the tour went outside the actual boundaries of Old North St. Louis to visit the James Clemens House (1849 Cass), St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, the Brewery Apartments, and Hyde Park.

The tour covered approximately 12 miles and dozens of sites of historical and/or architectural interest.