This Month in St. Louis History

Disaster, disease and more in Junes past

St. Louis' history in Junes past had its share of disaster and disease. But, it also had its share of famous births, famous firsts and famous visitors.

Deaths during the 1849 cholera epidemic in St. Louis hit a one-week high in June that year. And there was plenty of violence in St. Louis during the nationwide streetcar strike of 1900.

Among June births in St. Louis was that of Charles Eames, designer of the fames Eames chair. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright was born in Wisconsin but one of his famous homes is open to the public in St. Louis.

In these days of cell phones, it's interesting to note that the first mobile phone call was made in St. Louis in 1946. Famed author Charles Dickens, who died in June, 1870, left behind some interesting observations about St. Louis in his travelogue, "American Notes."

Young Saint Louis.com wants its young readers to know about the people and events that helped to make this area's history.

Each month, the Missouri History Museum staff gathers information about these events and people. YSL.com brings those historical anniversaries to you to let you see this area's varied history. (If you'd like to know more, visit www.mohistory.org.)

The cholera epidemic of 1849

Many early outbreaks of disease were caused by bacteria spread through inadequate sewage systems and unclean public water supplies.

St. Louis' cholera outbreak of 1849 came before there was general knowledge of the connection of these disease factors.

A total of 4,557 cholera deaths were recorded that year in St. Louis. The total population of the city was only 63,000. That meant 72 of every 1,000 residents died of the disease.

In the week of June 24, cholera deaths totaled 601.

In 1849, most drinking water came from unprotected private wells. There were virtually no sewer systems.

The outbreak of cholera led the City of St. Louis to petition the Missouri Legislature in 1849 for authority to issue bonds for sewer construction. Once city sanitation and water systems improved, the death toll for later cholera outbreaks dropped sharply.

Another health advance was discovery in 1884 of the actual bacteria that caused cholera.

The streetcar strike of 1900

Labor unrest has been a part of life in St. Louis. The streetcar strike of 1900 was one of the more violent examples.

In June, 1900, a gun battle between striking transit workers and strikebreakers resulted in three deaths and 14 other people wounded. Sheriff John H. Pohlman asked Missouri Gov. Lon Stephens for help from the state militia.

The issue in those days was the demand by streetcar workers for a 10-hour workday and reinstatement of workers fired by the St. Louis Transit Co.

In addition to shootings and other violence, opponents of the transit company hung a variety of obstructions over the electrical lines. This disrupted the power needed to run the streetcars.

The strike lasted in St. Louis into September before the workers finally gave up the fight.

Birth of designer Charles Eames

Charles Ormond Eames Jr. was born in St. Louis on June 17, 1907. He went on to become one of the most acclaimed modern designers after World War II.

Over six million of his Eames chair with its molded back and seat were produced.

A lot of his fame came from his work in conjunction with his second wife, Ray Eames.

The two did collaborative work with many of the nation's noted architects and designers.

Eames went to Washington University for a time. However, he was dismissed after his request to study modern architect Frank Lloyd Wright was denied.

A great influence on Eames was Finish architect Eliel Saarinen. Eliel was the father of Eero Saarinen, the designer of the St. Louis Arch. Eames and the younger Saarinen became both friends and partners.

Another famous designer linked to Eames was Henry Miller. Miller was another of the group that led the nation's modern design movement in the mid-1900s.

For more about Eames, visit http://en.wikipedia,org/wiki/charles_eames.

The Museum of Art and Design has a showing on Eames running from May 18 to Sept. 3. For more about the exhibit, visit www.madmuseum.org.

A Frank Lloyd Wright home in St. Louis

The fascination of Charles Eames for the work of architect Frank Lloyd Wright can be understood by taking a tour of an original Wright home in St. Louis.

The home was built by Wright for the Kraus family of west St. Louis County. A group of St. Louisans purchased the home and have opened it for public view, by appointment.

The home's floor plan is made up of parallelograms. But, there are only two right angles for walls. The rest of the angles are either 60 or 120 degrees.

To make a reservation for viewing, call (314) 822-8359. Reservations made only by phone.

Also, for home website, view www.ebsworthpark.org/newsletterSP05.html

The first mobile phone call in 1946

In these days of millions of cell phones, it's hard to realize that the first mobile phone call ever made was in St. Louis only 60 years ago.

On June 17, 1946, a driver in St. Louis pulled out a handset from his dashboard and placed the first mobile telephone call.

Two years later, wireless telephone service was available in almost 100 cities and highway corridors. But, there weren't many customers: only 5,000 customers making 30,000 calls a week.

The cellular telephone technology was pioneered by Bell Labs.

For more, visit www.att.com/attlabs/reputation/timeline/46mobile.html.

A view of St. Louis by Charles Dickens

Author Charles Dickens is known more for such books as "Tale of Two Cities" and the "Pickwick Papers."

But, in 1842, he took a year off to make a trip to America to see the country that got away from the British Empire. Included in that itinerary was a trip to St. Louis. Our city was the westernmost point on his journey.

His observations about America were published in his book, "American Notes."

Of St. Louis, he observed:

"In the old French portion of the town, the thoroughfares are narrow and crooked, and some of the houses are very quaint and picturesque; being built of wood, with tumble-down galleries before the windows, approachable by stairs, or rather ladders, from the street. There are queer little barbers' shops, and drinking-houses too. In this quarter, an abundance of crazy old tenements with blinking casements, such as may be seen in Flanders. Some of these ancient habitations, with high garret gable windows perking into the roofs, have a kind of French shrug about them; and, being lop-sided with age, appear to hold their heads askew besides, as if they were grimacing in astonishment at the American Improvements."

Dickens died June 9, 1870.

Learn more about "American Notes" at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Notes.