This Month in Missouri History

Spanish flu epidemic of 1918; Lava soap invented

St. Louis area families are bombarded with messages urging them to get flu shots during this season. But, there were no vaccines available when the nation was hit in 1918 by the Spanish flu epidemic at the end of World War One.

But, swift and decisive actions by St. Louis city and health officials helped St. Louis to keep the flu death toll lower than other major U.S. cities. The closings of schools and even banning church services were credited with limiting the spread of the deadly flu.

Other historic events with anniversaries in December included the invention of Lava soap in St. Louis and the issuing of General U.S. Grant's infamous Jewish deportation order.

(Each month, the staff at the Missouri History Museum helps compile a variety of unique historical events or persons with anniversaries in the current month. If you'd like to know more about this area's long and varied history, check www.mohistory.org.)

The Flu plague of 1918

On Dec. 5, 1918, the peak of the Spanish influenza epidemic hit St. Louis with 1,310 new cases reported in that one day. This was an epidemic that swept the whole nation with deadly effect.

But, strict actions by city political and health officials earlier in the fall helped St. Louis to weather the disease better than other major U.S. cities.

Since the flu was an air-borne disease, city officials banned large gatherings of people, even including Sunday worship services. Occupancy of street cars and elevators was restricted.

Closings were extended to a 4-day shutting of businesses in November. Ironically, the end of World War One came on Nov. 11, 1918, while the business closings ban was still in effect.

Schools had been closed earlier but they reopened three days after the Armistice. A second wave of flu cases followed. The schools were closed again and the closings were extended through the holidays. Children under 15 also were banned from movie theaters.

By the end of December, the death toll from flu reached 386.8 per 100,000 population. New cases continued in 1919 but at a sharply lower rate.

Invention of Lava soap

The William Waltke & Co. of St. Louis trademarked Lava soap on Dec. 29, 1896. The "powdery pumice" soap wasn't very glamorous because it's bland color.

But, it had one distinct advantage: The soap could clean even the dirtiest hands.

One tongue-in-cheek promotional article when Proctor & Gamble had the brand said: "Lava Soap may not necessarily be the most glamorous bar soap ever made. Its gray color may fit in better with the color scheme of a prison than with kitchens and bathrooms in the typical American home.....but when it comes to washing hands completely clean from dirt and gunk, it was simply the best in the business."

The brand was acquired in 1999 by the WD-40 Co., which makes the versatile household lubricant.

Grant's Jewish deportation order

Ulysses S. Grant's life is entwined with St. Louis because his home was here. He also was stationed in St. Louis at the start of the Civil War.

One of his more infamous actions came on Dec. 17, 1862, when he issued General Order 11. That order became one of the nation's most controversial anti-Semitic policies.

The order called for expulsion of Jews from his military district, which then included areas of Tennessee, Mississippi and Kentucky.

The order was aimed at Jewish merchants who were thought to be trafficking in black market cotton in the South during the Civil War. The order came as a shock since there had been little public anti-Semitic displays.

The order led to organized protests in major cities, including St. Louis.

Delegations went to Washington to petition President Lincoln to void the order, which he did Jan. 4, 1863. Grant complied with the revocation three days later.

(For more, go to en.wikipedia.org/wiki/general_Order_No._11_(1862)

St. Louis' first bank

The first bank was established in St. Louis on Dec. 16, 1816, under the name The Bank of St. Louis. However, it was out of business by 1822, primarily because of constant bickering among directors.

In 1820, it was made the depository for the U.S. public funds for the land district of Missouri. But, that wasn't enough to keep the bank going.

In those early days, the financial business was very speculative as the city was seeking to grow and develop the surrounding territory.

Theodore Dreiser's time in St. Louis

Theodore Dreiser, one of the great novelists of the 19th Century, died on December 28, 1945. In his early days, he was a journalist at both the St. Louis Republic and Globe-Democrat newspapers.

It was while writing for the Republic that he met and married Missouri school teacher Sara Osborne White. He met her while he was covering the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

In the early 1900s, noted commentator of American values H.L. Mencken called Dreiser the nation's "leading realist." But, in those days, writing the truth about everyday life wasn't necessarily the politically correct thing to do.

For instance, the original manuscript of Dreiser's book, "A Traveler at Forty," was shortened through censorship by 40 chapters by his publisher because of the "too realist" content.

He associated with political radicals and supported birth-control advocate Margaret Sanger. He also was a friend to anarchist Emma Goldman and wrote for leftist journals.

What publishers didn't censor internally, critics tried to do after publication.

For instance, the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice caused his book, "The Genius," to be removed from library shelves in 1915. It wasn't until 1923 that a court suit overturned that ban.

(For more, visit www.library.upenn.edu/collections/rbm/dreiser/tdbio.html.)

Frontiersman Kit Carson born

Kit Carson, a well-known frontiersman in the early days of exploration in the U.S., was born on Dec. 24, 1809, in Madison County in Kentucky.

He was linked to Missouri because of his service to controversial Gen. John Fremont, who was stationed in St. Louis in the 1840s.

Fremont was developing a reputation as an explorer of the territories west and south of St. Louis. He also had a reputation for erratic behavior on those expeditions.

Carson was the guide for the third of Fremont's expeditions. This one was supposed to map the Arkansas River valley. But, unexpectedly, Fremont turned west to California, where he stirred up the American settlers against Mexican authorities.

After fleeing California, Fremont and Carson ended up in Oregon where their troops got in a fight with the Klamath Indians.

They then turned south back to California and again stirred up trouble for the Mexican authorities. This insurrection was a preview to the Mexican-American War.

Carson went on to a career of battles in the west, including the war with Mexico.

Places to Go, Things to Do

More holiday events during December

The schools let out during December and Places to Go; Things to Do includes more holiday activities and events with the you and your family in mind.

But, first a Special Note: In the November Places/Things, YSL.com featured seven Holiday Light Shows in the St. Louis metro area. While most of them started in November, they are continuing during December and, in some cases, beyond.

So, be sure to review that November feature if you're looking to do your holiday lights tours in December. To go to last month's Places/Things, click here.

(Each month, YSL.com looks for activities that are especially for kids and their families. We focus mostly on things to do that have little or no admission charges.)

Botanical Garden hosts 3 holiday events

In December, the Missouri Botanical Garden has built special events around three religious holidays.

"Christmas Carols in the Garden" will be held Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13 and 14. The events will be from 1-5 p.m. on both days.

"Chanukah Festival of Lights" will be Sunday, Dec. 21, from noon to 5 p.m.

"Kwanzaa: Festival of First Fruits" will be Tuesday, Dec. 31, from noon to 4 p.m.

You can get further details by going to www.mobot.org.

Two shows at Old Courthouse downtown

An 1808 Missouri Frontier Holiday will be held Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Old Courthouse on the Gateway Arch grounds.

The event is from noon to 4:30 p.m. The event features frontier music, dancing and food. There will be kids activities also.

For information, call (314) 655-1700 or visit www.nps.gov/jeff.

The Old Courthouse also will be the scene of holiday concerts during the Dec. 3-17 period. The concerts are free.

For information on dates and times, call (314) 655-1700 or visit www.nps.gov/jeff.

Skating with Santa at Steinberg rink

The outdoor Steinberg skating rink in Forest Park is open and there will be two times to skate with Santa Claus and his reindeer.

Skating with Santa will be Saturdays, Dec. 6 and 13. The time is from 1 to 3 p.m.

Tickets for kids 12 and under are $5.50.

For more details on the Skating with Santa as well as the general hours for the rink, call (314) 367-7465 or visit www.stinbergskatingrink.com.

Raja's 16th birthday at the Zoo

One annual event in December has nothing to do with the holidays. Raja, the zoo-born elephant, is a December child.

December 27 is Raja's 16th birthday and the St. Louis Zoo will be holding a birthday party. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For information, call (314) 781-0900 or visit www.stlzoo.org.

Daniel Boone's Home Candlelight tours

The annual Candlelight Christmas Tours will be held Dec. 5-6 and 12-13 at the Daniel Boon Home and Boonesfield Village at Defiance. The tours are held 6 to 10 p.m.

There will be 19th Century decorations, candles, lanterns and bonfires.

For information and directions call (636) 798-2005 or visit www.lindenwood.edu.

Winter Getaway at the Museum

The Missouri History Museum begins a series of Winter Getaways during December and extending them over the New Year's weekend.

If the joyous holidays are giving way to the post-holiday winter blahs by the end of December, the Museum has an answer. And it's free.

Saturday, Dec. 27, there will be a Penguin Party from noon to 2:30 p.m. There will be storytelling along with crafts, puppets, puzzles and more.

Sunday, Dec. 28, will be Family Film Day of the film "Happy Feet." The screening will be at 2 p.m. But, there will be tours before and crafts and storytelling afterwards.

Monday, Dec. 29, there will be a Felix the Penguin's family tour, drop-in Make and Take workshops and a film, "The Great Fire of 1849." Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 30, will be Family Fun Day with entertainer Babaloo and more. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Babaloo is mostly for younger kids but magician Blake Douglass is for kids of all ages.

Wednesday, Dec. 31, will have a repeat of the Felix the Penguin and drop-in craft workshops. But, the movie will be "The Tragical Comedie of the French, Spanish, French, American Ville de Sainte Louis."

Thursday, Jan. 1, and Friday, Jan. 2, also have Felix the Penguin tours, drop-in craft workshops and new movies.

For information, call (314) 746-4500 or visit www.mohistory.org.

The City Parks' Children's Garden Club

The weather outside might be cold but the monthly meeting of the St. Louis City Parks' Children's Garden Club will be held in Saturday, Dec. 6. This month's meeting is titled "Enjoy Holiday Decorations."

The December meeting is at the Sherwood's Forest Nursery and Garden Center at 2651 Barret Station Rd. The session starts at 9 a.m.

For information on this gardening series, check www.stlouisco.com/parks.

Earthways Center's Public Tour Days

December is a good time to take a look at energy-saving practices at the Missouri Botanical Garden's Earthways Center at 3617 Grandel Square in midtown St. Louis.

The center is a century-old Victorian house which has been renovated to demonstration energy-efficient materials, systems and practices.

Guided tours are at 11 a.m., noon, 1 and 2 p.m. No reservations are needed. Admission is $3.

For details, visit www.earthwayscenter.org.

From St. Louis City Library

From St. Louis County Library

Kids Voting Missouri 2008

Missouri kids backed Obama,
even if adults didn't

 

Now, here's a real birthday-party destination

If developers Mark and John Rodgers have their way, St. Louis area kids and their families soon will have a granddaddy of all birthday party destinations.

The Clayton real estate developers hope to start construction next month of a 175-foot tall "sky wheel" on Laclede's Landing in downtown St. Louis. Completion could be done by the end of next summer.

The wheel will provide up to 15-minute sight-seeing rides in all-weather gondolas that allow you to see Missouri and Illinois sights as far as 30 miles away.

Ferris wheels have been features in the Midwest for years and years. Both the Chicago and St. Louis world's fairs had Ferris wheels. Two years ago, a Ferris wheel provided a temporary attraction in Forest Park.

Six Flags in Eureka has an open-air wheel.

All these have been seasonal attractions because the gondolas have been open to the weather elements. That meant they could operate only when the weather was good and certainly not in the winter.

Mark Rodgers told Young Saint Louis.com that his new "sky wheel" will have 42 gondolas that can seat six persons each. The passenger pods will be enclosed and fully air-conditioned.

Also, each will have electronic screens with videos to explain what's on display in the surrounding views.

"Our 'sky wheel' also will have the latest LED lighting. We can change the lighting schemes for the whole wheel and it will be an attraction in its own right. And, at least once a night, we can program the lighting to become a miniature fireworks display while you're riding in it," Mr. Rodgers said.

The Rodgers brothers got interested in a "sky wheel" installation after a luxury condo project they wanted to build downtown couldn't get off the ground.

The brothers already had a cleared lot right next to the Laclede's Landing entertainment area. But, because of the collapse of the housing market, they couldn't go ahead with the condo building.

Mark said he was at a party when one of the guests suggested an alternate use for the Mississippi River site. The guest mentioned some new "sky wheel" or "observation wheel" installations around the world.

For instance, London, England, has a wheel called the London Eye. In Singapore, the Singapore Flyer is the world's tallest at 541 feet. But, an even bigger one is being built in Dubai in the Middle East.

Mr. Rodgers said his "sky wheel" won't be that tall. In fact, nearby Gateway Arch still would be much higher at 600 feet in height.

"But, our wheel will allow people to see over the top of the nearby Martin Luther King Bridge and in all directions," he said.

In a recent development, the Rodgers last month got financing approved by a Belgian company, Fitraco. That company is specializes in similar types of entertainment projects around the world.

Also, they have signed up with a Wichita, KS, firm that builds "sky wheels" and other entertainment installations.

Next up, there's a Dec. 10 meeting with a St. Louis government agency that can give final approval to begin. Mayor Francis Slay already has called the Rodgers project one of special interest for downtown St. Louis.

"If we can get started in January, we should be able to be open for business by the end of next summer," Mark told YSL.com.

A couple unique features of the site allow for fairly rapid development, Rodgers said. For one thing, the one-half acre site has already been cleared because of their previous plan for a condo tower.

Also, the bedrock that would provide the firm anchoring for the "wheel" is only six feet below the current surface.

The whole "sky wheel" development is expected to cost $10 to $12 million.

The Rodgers hope it will attract 400,000 riders each year. A tentative admission price would be $10 per person.

The "sky wheel" development is attractive because it will provide a different type of entertainment than that already there. Now, Laclede's Landing is home to restaurants and bars with gambling casinos nearby.

But, there aren't too many family attractions, except for the Gateway Arch.

St. Louis already is a strong tourist attraction, with some 20 million visitors annually. Also, St. Louis is a large metro area with millions of residents.

"Usually, new developments are put in areas in need of revitalization. But, our 'wheel' is going in an area that already has lots of visitors," Mark Rodgers said. The "wheel" is near the Cardinals stadium and the Edward Jones domed stadium.

Of course, the Cardinals will host the 2009 All-Star baseball game in July.

However, Mr. Rodgers said "wheel" probably won't be open that soon.

"The construction time is 10 months or so. If we start in January, we won't be open for business until late summer, at the earliest," he said.

But, if you've got a birthday in late 2009, the "wheel" might be a good place to hold a party. Your guests certainly would have something special to talk about if you and your parents rented a couple gondolas.

Mr. Rodgers said the area around the "wheel" will have other party facilities. "And we can be open 365 days a year," he said.

Ride the Rivers Century Ride

Edwardsville 13-year-old does 100-mile bike ride