I was born in '73 and I absolutely love watching and learning about the 50's and 60's in St. Louis sure we had fun times in the 80's but it seems the 60's people were closer and appreciated the simple things more.
My husband and I are in the process of buying a house in NoCo (Florissant). I know that it's far from the same place it was in the 'heyday' of the 50s and 60s, but I'm hoping that we can at least make a small difference :) I know some areas of NoCo are looking pretty rough- but there is still a LOT to love about it.
I was born and raised in Florissant. My parents moved into our home as soon as it was done being built in May 1956, two weeks before I was born. Lived on a little two house street butted up to the creek and the wooden bridge crossing it. My Dad died in 1985 and my Mom remained until moving in with my sister (also in Florissant) in 2004, passing away in 2008. I moved to the country in Callaway County in 1988 but up until about 2 years ago (became housebound) still went to visit my childhood home and just stand on that old bridge with my memories. I sure hope that 8 years later you have also been creating those forever memories in your home in Florissant ~ ✌🌷
Long live Spanish Lake ! I lived on June Ave. off of Larimore Rd. from 1963-1982 and I went to Larimore School and Kirby jr. high. I have great memories of the old neighborhood and miss it dearly. Sad to see that Ponticello's has recently closed. I worked there in 74-75 and made some of those onion rings
I grew up in North County and was involved in the street racing seen all through the Sixties into the early Seventies. Never heard of anyone drag racing on the Chain of Rocks Bridge , which would have been virtually impossible. Another reason we didn't race on that bridge was that it was a toll bridge and you would have had to pay 2 tolls coming and going just to stage a race? Didn't happen unless it was done as a stunt one time. We raced on Hall Street! Not Chain of Rocks Bridge. It was just too narrow. These guys were definitely not street racers and really have no idea of what we did back then. We also raced at Alton Dragway, Pacific Raceway Park and at MAR.
I remember North County as a student at Fairview High School in the 50s and 60s when my parents were living in Jennings. I also remember how modern and progressive North County had become when, after finishing college, I came back to St.Louis and became a German teacher at Hazelwood High School (all 3000 sophomores to seniors) in Sep 67 to June 69. At that time, McDonnell Aircraft Company had installed one of the most modern foreign language laboratories in the United States in what is now Hazrlwood Central High School. I was only 22 teaching to students who were only 5 years younger than me. Was commissioned in the Air Force in 1970 and ended up in Vietnam despite my swearing I would never go there! 🤣
Used to go on class trips to the Chain of Rocks Park - you could ride the skyline and see the bluff and river. Also used to visit Holiday Hill (but we stopped going there after Six Flags opened in 1970. Later, after they closed the Chain of Rocks bridge, my friends and I would hang out there at night and jump over the holes in the concrete with the river a 1000-ft. below (we were pretty stupid. Grew up in Florissant, but would not live there any more.
There were other points of interest that you did not include like cruising after a night at Club Imperial dancing to Ike and Tina Turner or Bob Cuban, eatting at Circle Stake 'n Shake on Riverview, or after a movie at the Thunderbird Drive-in then perhaps going to Hall street to drag your cars like in the movies. This was a great period that turned to decay with the passing of time and economics. I went back to this area last year but didn't stay long because I didn't feel safe. So sad.
Grew up in the north County town of Hillsdale in between Pine Lawn and Wellston from 1968 till 1978 I was 5 years old when we moved there and 15 when I moved away I have some real fond memories of growing up there but you couldn't give me enough money to go back to them three towns anymore with all the drugs crime and shooting there.
A lot of Bellefontaine & 270 looks fine to me..? Especially the Green Acres subdivision nestled between Chambers & Bellefontaine. DH & I looked at a few houses there when we were thinking about buying. We also considered a property in Riverview up on the Bluffs, but it didn't pan out (plus, I agree, a lot of Riverview is going downhill, sadly- not so much Lookaway Dr area though). I didn't know what the area was like "back in the day" so I don't have much to compare- but I've seen a lot worse!
I used to live in Hazelwood and moved away about 10 years ago. You saw your comment of 7 years ago , that you were trying to buy a house in North County. I really hope it worked out for you and that you're enjoying life. I'm curious to find out what your take is on the area now? I really enjoyed living in Hazelwood and didn't really want to move but life is complicated.
I sure miss cruising north county back in my high school days. Too bad there isn't more pics of Holiday Hill. I worked there at the baseball cages & archery range the last few years it was open. If anyone has memorabilia or photo's from Holiday hill or Chain of Rocks, please contact me.
@rgyngard Olivette is already showing signs of decay. America doesn't know yet how to keep up older areas of towns. We'd rather just build new every 20 years. We should look at Europe and see how they care for cities that are hundreds of years old.
@ArtsHscience That's such a great idea. Your comment was we should look at Europe where they have cities that are hundreds of years old. And why can't we use that as a model for our aging cities?
Olivette AND Overland, sadly. I work in Olivette and it is a relatively wealthy area. I can't fathom why it is in such a state of decay, especially right near Page Avenue. Makes you wonder what they do with municipal tax dollars. My guess is they're squandering it on pet projects, meanwhile the decay of infrastructure and older buildings goes on unabated.
Castle Point Resident, 1961- 1977- Lord Dr. Those were the days! Before your teenage years your parents didnt have to worry about you being gone all day, in fact, mine sometimes threw me out after breakfast and said dont come home til lunch, and then do it again after lunch, and then after dinner, saying we dont want to see you til the street lights come on. Going to grandmas for Christmas on Jenwood off Lucas and hunt, Christmas movies at Northland Cinema on Christmas Eve. Sitting in her backyard on Jenwood or in my Aunts on Lucas and Hunt, watching the fireworks display they had every year at Northland on July 4th. Then you became a teenager and the REAL fun began. Dancing on skates at Aloha Roller Rink, sneaking into North County Drive in, in your friends car trunk, Cruisin the Riverview Circle Steak n Shake , Drinking Mad Dog and/or beer at the Chain of Rocks bridge. If I remember correctly there was a liquor store right at the corner where you turn to go towards the canal, and the drinking age in Illinois was 19, Missouri was 21. We had groups of friends, not gangs. Yes we did some ignorant crap like t.p.ing someones yard, or egging someones house and some other things id rather not admit to here. But we NEVER, NEVER, EVER terrorized other people, or set out to hurt others. Sadly, these were the last days of a time when (as a whole,) parents still whipped and grounded their children for doing such things. I got mad at a boy and threw a rock at him and broke his glasses....after whipping my ass, I learned that I could have made him blind by what I did...I never threw a rock at anyone, or even in someones direction ever again. I also had black friends growing up and I showed respect to older black people too, Yes Sir, no Maam. Nowadays, too many parents dont punish their children for bad behavior or ground them because they dont want to be bothered, and THIS is the reason we have gangs of thugs running our neighborhoods, terrorizing innocent people. Many will scream at me for saying this, but thats too damn bad....when will we a as a society, remember that it takes a Mom and a Dad to raise a child, and the child NEEDS to be disciplined?!?!? I long for the days like the days of my youth:(
Grew up from age 5 to age 17 on count dr. Went to Meadows school except for one year went to Thomas school- first year it was built. Attended Riverview high school.This was in the mid-fifties to 1965 when my family moved
My how times have changed I wish I could've been born in the 50's some times I wasn't born until '73 but I have the soul of a 50's baby. I look in my mom's homeschool year book and smile with joy looks like they had so much fun.
The memories of loading the trunk with friends, to sneak into drive in theaters...PRICELESS! The last time we did that, it was at The Airport Drive in Theatre, in St. Ann Missouri. I was 15 yrs. old, and it was to watch a brand new release, called "Buck And The Preacher." Not trying to be self-righteous, as I don't have any criminal record as an adult...AND I'M VERY PROUD OF THAT! It's just that my family was EXTREMELY poor, and this "minor infraction" was kinda the thing that kids do, especially when you're ghetto-oriented children, and your parents don't have the money to send you out to see a movie. Anyways, we always thought that they really knew what was happening. As long as the two people that were in the front seat were paying, I don't think they pressed any issues about how many were in the trunk...lol! After all, they made their real money on the concession stands, and somehow, we could always find a coin or two in our pockets to share a bucket of popcorn or two. This is an excellent video for cruising down memory lane, and re-visiting the way things used to be...
Personally, I prefer an integrated neighborhood. I have lived in a couple (in south city and in Richmond Heights). No one freaks out when they see a person of another color -- it's just, "Hey, there's our neighbor!"
I was born on the Rock Rd. We lived in Bellfountain Neighbors from 1969-76 on Lebon Dr. KSHE-95, Circle Steak, North Shore Drive In. Memories of Dad flying down St. Cyr Park Hill on ice skates in 1969. Aloha Skating Rink on a Friday! Sad to see it now the Twilight Zone. Grampa said thugs are shooting up Spanish Lake! No where near the "A Christmas Story" like home I once knew. Id give anything to go back and relive one Summer Day at Chain of Rocks Park with my grade school crush Maureen Behan.
In Grade School, we did a parade, to Holiday Hill. Jr. and Sr. High, the Chain of Rocks. Had a go at Olympic Drive Inn. Parking area on Lindburg, at the end of the Runway, for Lambert Field. One dollar soup or salad at Bob's Big Boy. Most of all Friendly People!
I am a fourth generation resident of North St. Louis, I am personally offended by some of these racist comments. It's pitiful if you're too afraid to live in an integrated neighborhood. Do my neighbors and I a favor by keeping your "body guards" and racist ideals out.
Jennings is one of the roughest, but I still go there sometimes to take videos of the Norfolk Southern trains that run thrugh it. Its not so bad near where it meets Ferguson
I hiked up the Chain of Rocks bluff roads with my dogs and took a ride down Lookaway in my car last summer. You are exaggerating the demise of the area by a great deal. The houses are cared for and just because most the residents are Black doesn't mean it's low income OR dangerous. Your comments are extremely racist. If you want to see some bad areas of town then take the 90 bus south through MLK and Goodfellow. Even so most everyone is just regular Americans trying to survive.
Like most of St. Louis, good turns bad in time. Cities of beauty are destroyed by poverty, it will never be a place of harmony and safety. Whats next West county?
As long as people move away from integrated neighborhoods,they will deteriorate,but if you have foresight you can rejuvenate valuable property. Stop thinking about what it was but what it could become! Just because lovely neighborhoods become slums doesn't mean they should be abandoned and wrecked. It means opportunity!
I was born in '73 and I absolutely love watching and learning about the 50's and 60's in St. Louis sure we had fun times in the 80's but it seems the 60's people were closer and appreciated the simple things more.
My husband and I are in the process of buying a house in NoCo (Florissant). I know that it's far from the same place it was in the 'heyday' of the 50s and 60s, but I'm hoping that we can at least make a small difference :)
I know some areas of NoCo are looking pretty rough- but there is still a LOT to love about it.
Amber Lee how is north county 7 years after you wrote this comment? Heard it was on the up and up :-)
I was born and raised in Florissant. My parents moved into our home as soon as it was done being built in May 1956, two weeks before I was born. Lived on a little two house street butted up to the creek and the wooden bridge crossing it. My Dad died in 1985 and my Mom remained until moving in with my sister (also in Florissant) in 2004, passing away in 2008. I moved to the country in Callaway County in 1988 but up until about 2 years ago (became housebound) still went to visit my childhood home and just stand on that old bridge with my memories. I sure hope that 8 years later you have also been creating those forever memories in your home in Florissant ~
✌🌷
I remember those days it's sad what we've lost
The original Mattinglys..on Howdershell..i believe their located on Lindbergh now and also in cave springs???
I remember Spanish Lake park when it was crowded like Forrest Park back in 1990s
I'd give anything to be able to go back and ride that giant slide at Lindbergh and 270.
Long live Spanish Lake ! I lived on June Ave. off of Larimore Rd. from 1963-1982 and I went to Larimore School and Kirby jr. high. I have great memories of the old neighborhood and miss it dearly. Sad to see that Ponticello's has recently closed. I worked there in 74-75 and made some of those onion rings
mark whealen Spanish lake is dangerous now it’s people killing each other there and it’s just a mess
I grew up in North County and was involved in the street racing seen all through the Sixties into the early Seventies. Never heard of anyone drag racing on the Chain of Rocks Bridge , which would have been virtually impossible. Another reason we didn't race on that bridge was that it was a toll bridge and you would have had to pay 2 tolls coming and going just to stage a race? Didn't happen unless it was done as a stunt one time. We raced on Hall Street! Not Chain of Rocks Bridge. It was just too narrow. These guys were definitely not street racers and really have no idea of what we did back then. We also raced at Alton Dragway, Pacific Raceway Park and at MAR.
Yeah, drag racing would be suicide on the CORB. Maybe on Hall St, but not the bridge.
Def Hall St.
It is what it is and it isn't what it was!! PERIOD!
I remember North County as a student at Fairview High School in the 50s and 60s when my parents were living in Jennings. I also remember how modern and progressive North County had become when, after finishing college, I came back to St.Louis and became a German teacher at Hazelwood High School (all 3000 sophomores to seniors) in Sep 67 to June 69. At that time, McDonnell Aircraft Company had installed one of the most modern foreign language laboratories in the United States in what is now Hazrlwood Central High School. I was only 22 teaching to students who were only 5 years younger than me. Was commissioned in the Air Force in 1970 and ended up in Vietnam despite my swearing I would never go there! 🤣
Used to go on class trips to the Chain of Rocks Park - you could ride the skyline and see the bluff and river. Also used to visit Holiday Hill (but we stopped going there after Six Flags opened in 1970. Later, after they closed the Chain of Rocks bridge, my friends and I would hang out there at night and jump over the holes in the concrete with the river a 1000-ft. below (we were pretty stupid. Grew up in Florissant, but would not live there any more.
My Brother still lives there. He is not sure how much longer, they can hold out! Not good.
There were other points of interest that you did not include like cruising after a night at Club Imperial dancing to Ike and Tina Turner or Bob Cuban, eatting at Circle Stake 'n Shake on Riverview, or after a movie at the Thunderbird Drive-in then perhaps going to Hall street to drag your cars like in the movies. This was a great period that turned to decay with the passing of time and economics. I went back to this area last year but didn't stay long because I didn't feel safe. So sad.
Grew up in the north County town of Hillsdale in between Pine Lawn and Wellston from 1968 till 1978 I was 5 years old when we moved there and 15 when I moved away I have some real fond memories of growing up there but you couldn't give me enough money to go back to them three towns anymore with all the drugs crime and shooting there.
went to a few partys in Hillsdale in the early mid 70's
Love chuck a burger 🍔 they have awesome fried grilled cheese bites 😋
I was almost 40 before i knew anything about chuck a burger. I remember burger chef tho....
Spent many a school picnic at Chain of Rocks (Baden School) Also spent many hours at Chuck a Burger with my good friend Terry.
my mom grew up in baden and bel ridge by the white castle
A lot of Bellefontaine & 270 looks fine to me..? Especially the Green Acres subdivision nestled between Chambers & Bellefontaine. DH & I looked at a few houses there when we were thinking about buying. We also considered a property in Riverview up on the Bluffs, but it didn't pan out (plus, I agree, a lot of Riverview is going downhill, sadly- not so much Lookaway Dr area though).
I didn't know what the area was like "back in the day" so I don't have much to compare- but I've seen a lot worse!
I used to live in Hazelwood and moved away about 10 years ago. You saw your comment of 7 years ago , that you were trying to buy a house in North County. I really hope it worked out for you and that you're enjoying life. I'm curious to find out what your take is on the area now? I really enjoyed living in Hazelwood and didn't really want to move but life is complicated.
This is very informative news 2 watch
Holiday Hill, Spartans, Music Palace, Northwest Plaza, the Bayou Belle.
I sure miss cruising north county back in my high school days. Too bad there isn't more pics of Holiday Hill. I worked there at the baseball cages & archery range the last few years it was open. If anyone has memorabilia or photo's from Holiday hill or Chain of Rocks, please contact me.
Some years ago I googled, Tornado St. Louis. Both parks came up.
@rgyngard Olivette is already showing signs of decay. America doesn't know yet how to keep up older areas of towns. We'd rather just build new every 20 years. We should look at Europe and see how they care for cities that are hundreds of years old.
@ArtsHscience That's such a great idea. Your comment was we should look at Europe where they have cities that are hundreds of years old. And why can't we use that as a model for our aging cities?
Olivette AND Overland, sadly. I work in Olivette and it is a relatively wealthy area. I can't fathom why it is in such a state of decay, especially right near Page Avenue. Makes you wonder what they do with municipal tax dollars. My guess is they're squandering it on pet projects, meanwhile the decay of infrastructure and older buildings goes on unabated.
Man I used to live in Glasgow village...we had to go! Like four killings in the 8 months we lived on lilac...it was worse than north city.
Castle Point Resident, 1961- 1977- Lord Dr. Those were the days! Before your teenage years your parents didnt have to worry about you being gone all day, in fact, mine sometimes threw me out after breakfast and said dont come home til lunch, and then do it again after lunch, and then after dinner, saying we dont want to see you til the street lights come on. Going to grandmas for Christmas on Jenwood off Lucas and hunt, Christmas movies at Northland Cinema on Christmas Eve. Sitting in her backyard on Jenwood or in my Aunts on Lucas and Hunt, watching the fireworks display they had every year at Northland on July 4th. Then you became a teenager and the REAL fun began. Dancing on skates at Aloha Roller Rink, sneaking into North County Drive in, in your friends car trunk, Cruisin the Riverview Circle Steak n Shake , Drinking Mad Dog and/or beer at the Chain of Rocks bridge. If I remember correctly there was a liquor store right at the corner where you turn to go towards the canal, and the drinking age in Illinois was 19, Missouri was 21. We had groups of friends, not gangs. Yes we did some ignorant crap like t.p.ing someones yard, or egging someones house and some other things id rather not admit to here. But we NEVER, NEVER, EVER terrorized other people, or set out to hurt others. Sadly, these were the last days of a time when (as a whole,) parents still whipped and grounded their children for doing such things. I got mad at a boy and threw a rock at him and broke his glasses....after whipping my ass, I learned that I could have made him blind by what I did...I never threw a rock at anyone, or even in someones direction ever again. I also had black friends growing up and I showed respect to older black people too, Yes Sir, no Maam. Nowadays, too many parents dont punish their children for bad behavior or ground them because they dont want to be bothered, and THIS is the reason we have gangs of thugs running our neighborhoods, terrorizing innocent people. Many will scream at me for saying this, but thats too damn bad....when will we a as a society, remember that it takes a Mom and a Dad to raise a child, and the child NEEDS to be disciplined?!?!? I long for the days like the days of my youth:(
oh dang, how could I forget school picnics at chain of rocks park? :-O
Grew up from age 5 to age 17 on count dr. Went to Meadows school except for one year went to Thomas school- first year it was built. Attended Riverview high school.This was in the mid-fifties to 1965 when my family moved
My how times have changed I wish I could've been born in the 50's some times I wasn't born until '73 but I have the soul of a 50's baby. I look in my mom's homeschool year book and smile with joy looks like they had so much fun.
The memories of loading the trunk with friends, to sneak into drive in theaters...PRICELESS! The last time we did that, it was at The Airport Drive in Theatre, in St. Ann Missouri. I was 15 yrs. old, and it was to watch a brand new release, called "Buck And The Preacher." Not trying to be self-righteous, as I don't have any criminal record as an adult...AND I'M VERY PROUD OF THAT! It's just that my family was EXTREMELY poor, and this "minor infraction" was kinda the thing that kids do, especially when you're ghetto-oriented children, and your parents don't have the money to send you out to see a movie. Anyways, we always thought that they really knew what was happening. As long as the two people that were in the front seat were paying, I don't think they pressed any issues about how many were in the trunk...lol! After all, they made their real money on the concession stands, and somehow, we could always find a coin or two in our pockets to share a bucket of popcorn or two. This is an excellent video for cruising down memory lane, and re-visiting the way things used to be...
on the way to Alton Lake to sail in Sea Scouts we'd always stop first at the A&W
Drove through there a couple of years ago--saw drug dealers on the corners at Chambers and Lilac.
Personally, I prefer an integrated neighborhood. I have lived in a couple (in south city and in Richmond Heights). No one freaks out when they see a person of another color -- it's just, "Hey, there's our neighbor!"
I was born on the Rock Rd. We lived in Bellfountain Neighbors from 1969-76 on Lebon Dr. KSHE-95, Circle Steak, North Shore Drive In. Memories of Dad flying down St. Cyr Park Hill on ice skates in 1969. Aloha Skating Rink on a Friday! Sad to see it now the Twilight Zone. Grampa said thugs are shooting up Spanish Lake! No where near the "A Christmas Story" like home I once knew. Id give anything to go back and relive one Summer Day at Chain of Rocks Park with my grade school crush Maureen Behan.
In Grade School, we did a parade, to Holiday Hill. Jr. and Sr. High, the Chain of Rocks. Had a go at Olympic Drive Inn. Parking area on Lindburg, at the end of the Runway, for Lambert Field. One dollar soup or salad at Bob's Big Boy. Most of all Friendly People!
Like in traffic
I am a fourth generation resident of North St. Louis, I am personally offended by some of these racist comments. It's pitiful if you're too afraid to live in an integrated neighborhood. Do my neighbors and I a favor by keeping your "body guards" and racist ideals out.
Don't forget BJ's pizza...best pizza in Missouri
meant Chambers and Bellountiane.
Jennings is one of the roughest, but I still go there sometimes to take videos of the Norfolk Southern trains that run thrugh it. Its not so bad near where it meets Ferguson
I wonder ehat happen to most of N county>?? I can't quite put my finger on it.
It's simple look what live in the neighborhood
@fennwick5 You are exaggerating. The bluff neighborhoods look fine.
Ahh Holiday Hill..
Cruising steak and shake on a Friday and Saturday night
Uhhhhh, once upon a time, maybe. But if you take this N County 'cruise' now, it better be in a tank. With a fighter escort. Even then, kno'm'sayin..?
The Mad Mouse was the greatest.....
They still racing on Hall street in 2024😂
I hiked up the Chain of Rocks bluff roads with my dogs and took a ride down Lookaway in my car last summer. You are exaggerating the demise of the area by a great deal. The houses are cared for and just because most the residents are Black doesn't mean it's low income OR dangerous. Your comments are extremely racist.
If you want to see some bad areas of town then take the 90 bus south through MLK and Goodfellow. Even so most everyone is just regular Americans trying to survive.
Like most of St. Louis, good turns bad in time. Cities of beauty are destroyed by poverty, it will never be a place of harmony and safety. Whats next West county?
Probably. St. Charles County is the new North County, and North County is the new inner city.
@@joshn938 Yep just like Jefferson County is the new South County.
As long as people move away from integrated neighborhoods,they will deteriorate,but if you have foresight you can rejuvenate valuable property. Stop thinking about what it was but what it could become! Just because lovely neighborhoods become slums doesn't mean they should be abandoned and wrecked. It means opportunity!
@@joshn938 Nailed It!
To be fair I think that's everywhere though just sayin ....
'darker and darker' = I'm a racist bastard.