Kirkwood Train Station , Missouri

Historic Kirkwood Train Station

Kirkwood Railroad Station

Same as above

Same as sbove

Same as above

     The original station in Kirkwood was built in 1863. It was wood frame.  It lasted only til 1893.

     In 1893, the Missouri Pacific Railroad hired Douglas Donovan to build a replacement station made of stone. Its exterior is made of random Ashlar light colored stone.

     It features porte cochere and a main entrance set within a large round arch.  There is a curved bay facing the tracks. This is topped by a turrett.with a conical roof.

    In the early 2000s, the station was briefly closed.

     There is an atm, no elevators, pay phones, no vending machines.

     The building is currently undergoing a renovation

Spencers Grill currently located at 223 Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, Missouri

Spencers Grill Kirkwood, Missouri

    Bill Spencer moved from Arkansas to Saint Louis during the Depression.  He was looking for work.  He met his wife Irene Harlow when they were bith working atthe same  restaurant.  They married in 1941. They purchased an.existing restaurant. Lee Grill at 303 South Kirkwood Road.  They renamed it Spencer’s.  The restaurant at this location operated only 2 years.

Same as above

     In 1947, they reopened Spencer’s at a new location–223 Kirkwood Road.  Their aim was to capture business from Route 66.  Initially, they were opened 24 hours.  Bill maintained ownership of the building until 1980.  This was the time of his retirement.

     Subsequently, the restaurant had six owners.  Currently, the owners are Mike and Meredith Chadwick.

Monument of the Naked Truth

Monument of the Naked Truth

     The Naked Truth Monument is located at 1938–1998 Grand Avenue in Saint Louis.  It is in Compton Hill Reservoir Park.  This was not the original site.  It was moved in 1969 to make way for a new interstate

     The monument was created in 1914.  The sculptor was William Wandschneider.    One the major donors was Augustus Busch.  The pedestal is 19 feet 10 inches.

    The monument was created to honor three great German American editors of the Saint Louis Westlice Post.– Carl Schurz, Doctor Emil Preetorius and Carl Daenzer.

     The statute was controversial beginning with its debut because the woman depictet is naked.   The revealing statute seemed appropriate because it was a symbol of truth.  The two torches symbolize enlightment

Pond, Monument of the Naked Truth, Water Tower

Monument of the Naked Truth

Signage Monument of the Naked Truth

Monument of the Naked Truth

Monument of the Naked Truth

Compton Hill Water Tower

Compton Hill Water Tower

     The Compton Hill Water Tower is located at 1898 Grand Boulevard in Saint Louis.  It was built in 1898.  Construction costs were $48,000.  It is 179 feet in height. Its exterior is made of rusticated limestone, brick and terra cotta.  The architect was Harvey Ellis. Its walls are adorned with leaves and mythical creatures.      There is a stand pipe in the tower. Its role was to absorb surges from the late 19th century reciprocating water pump. There is a spiral staircase in the tower.  There are 198 steps.

Same as above

     The tower was in service for 31 years.  From 1995–1999 it underwent a 19 million dollar renovation.

Same as above

Same as above

Compton Hill Water Tower

Compton Hill Water Tower

Devos Restaurant

Devos Restaurant

     Bevo Mill was built by Augustus Busch, Sr in 1917.It was located halfway between Grants Farm and the Augustus Brewery.  Its address was 4749 Gravois Avenue in Saint Louis. He wished to recreate a European Beer Garden where drinks would be served in an outdoor atmosphere of music and dance.

Devos Restaurant

Out side Restaurant

Outside Restaurant

Damen Avenue  Topeka and Santa Fe Grain Silos

These grain silos are located at 2860 S.Damen Avenue Chicago.     They are located adjacent to the Sanitary and Ship Canal.  They were constructed for the Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad in 1906.  The architect was John Metcalf. 

Photo of Damen Avenue Silos. Note the location adjacent to the Sanitary and Ship Canal.  Downtown Chicago can be seen in the background


     These silos are seen from I55 and the CTA Orange Line.  They are adjacent to the McKinley Park Neighborhood.  They have been abandoned since 1977.   Photos show deteriorationn of the silos.  They are marked by graffiti.

     In 2022, the state of Illinois placed the Damen Silos up for sale at auction.  The highest bidder was Michael A. Tadin, , Jr of Matt Asphalt.  His winning bid was 6.5 million dollars.   His plan for the property has not been revealed.  The only n thing that is certain is that the historic silos would be demolished.  It appears that another piece of Chicago History will be lost by unregulated development.

Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Memorial Bridge

Leonard P. Zakim.Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge  courtesy Jorge Salcedo.

     This bridge opened in 2023. It crosses the Charles River in Boston.  It is a cabled stayed bridge in a harp configuration.

     The bridge was designed by.Christian Menn in collaboration with  Miguel Rosales.

     It is built with steel and pre stressed concrete.

     Length is 1432 feet

     Width 83 feet

     Height is 270 feet.

     It carries Interstate 93 both north and south.

Flat Iron Building New York

Flat Iron Building

     This building is located at 175 Fifth Avenue , New York.  It was originally known as the Fuller Building   It was the headquarters of Fuller Construction Company. It was an.office building .  The architectural style is Renaissance Revival.  It was built by the George A.Fuller Construction Company.  The architects were D.H. Burnham and Company.  (Daniel Burnham and Frederick P. Dinkel).

Flat Iron Buildingi


      Construction was completed in 6/1902. It is a triangular shaped steel framed building.  The shape was used to fit the building lot. The height is 175 feet.

     It was the headquarters of George Fuller  Construction Company from 1902 to 1925.

     It was sold and investment company in 1925.

     It was sold to Equitable Insurance in 1937

     It was sold to a syndicate in 1945.