The architecture of Memorial Day in downtown St. Louis
To the men & women who have served, or are serving, in our armed forces -Â thank you!
Our Soldiers Memorial building and area was conceived to honor those who served in WWI (1914-1918):
“The initiative to construct a memorial plaza and memorial building to honor the gallant sons and daughters of Missouri, and of our city, who “made the supreme sacrifice in the World War”, began in 1923. Over the course of several years, the City of St. Louis and its citizens raised money for the project. Under the leadership of Mayor Bernard F. Dickmann, and with some funds coming from the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works (Project No. 5098), the construction of the building, development of the memorial plaza, and improvements to the parks began on October 21, 1935 and the memorial and museum officially opened on Memorial Day, May 30, 1938.” (Source)
So the memorial was completed 20 years after the war was over, five times as long as the war itself. St. Louis’ mayor offered these words 72 years ago:
“This magnificent edifice, erected as a perpetual reminder of the valor and sacrifice that has enabled America to live, will spur us on as a people to make America greater. We, who live, because others have died, should make of this shrine a place of love and a monument of peace.”
– Mayor Bernard F. Dickmann, May 30, 1938
Chestnut was once the street used for parades with the steps of the memorial providing a good viewing platform but at some point we moved parades to Market Street.
– Steve Patterson
Market Street is largely embarrassing. Too bad Washington isn't our parade route. Imagine how awesome that urban canyon would look with American flags hanging off the buildings and confetti floating in the breeze.