History of the Footwear and Garment Industries in St. Louis
This week, Valerie Battle Kienzle, author of "Ready To Wear...A History of the Footwear and Garment Industries in St. Louis" joins Sue Thomas to talk about St. Louis' amazing history in these areas. Did you know that St. Louis companies provided millions of shoes and boots to servicemen in both Wor…
The History of Trains and Streetcars in St. Louis
This week, Molly Butterworth, author of "Trains & Trolleys-Railroads and Streetcars in St. Louis" joins Sue to talk about just that! Did you know that local streetcars were once owned by individuals, and they were scattered randomly throughout the area? What kind of impact did these types of transp…
Remembering Ted Drewes Jr. and the Legacy of Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
In this episode of "History of the Lou," Sue Thomas pays tribute to the legendary Ted Drewes Jr., who recently passed away at the age of 96. Join us as we celebrate the 95th anniversary of Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, a beloved St. Louis institution. Travis Dillon, co-owner of Ted Drewes, shares the…
The History of Bellefontaine Cemetery
It is the 175th anniversary of St. Louis' Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum, and Sue talks to Dan Fuller, the Cemetery Chronicler at Bellefontaine. In the 1840's a group of St. Louisans saw the need for a "rural" cemetery since the city was growing so rapidly, and they started Bellefontaine. Tod…
History of St Louis' Important Dates
Joe Sonderman returns to the studio this week to talk to Sue Thomas about his new book, "This Day in St. Louis History....the Famous, Infamous, and Everything in Between." What are some of the most important dates in St. Louis history? See if you agree...
The History On Display at the St. Louis Cardinals HOF and Museum
This week, Sue Thomas interviews Amy Berra, Curator and Manager of the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum about some of the items you can see there. The Cardinals have a rich history, and the HOF Museum is home to 25 THOUSAND items that reflect it! Have you seen the Stanequin? Find out what's…
History of the Chain of Rocks Bridge & St. Louis Leviathan
Sue Thomas first talks to St. Louis Historian Jackie Dana about the history of the Chain of Rocks Bridge and the little buildings that look like castles that you can see from the original bridge. What are they? Then, Public Historian for the Missouri History Museum, Andrew Wanko stops by with two g…
History of the Art Museum
This week, Melissa Venator, Assistant Curator of Modern Art at the St. Louis Art Museum joins Sue to talk about the history of the museum! Its building in Forest Park was one of only 2 permanent structures built for the 1904 World's Fair, but the museum's roots go back to the century before. The SL…
History of St. Louis Theaters
In this episode, Sue talks to local historian and author NiNi Harris about Grand Center in St. Louis, and the wonderful theaters like The Fox and Powell Hall. Harris will focus in on the organ in the Fox Theater. Then, Tamara Keefe, owner of St. Louis' own Clementine's Naughty and Nice Ice Cream st…
History of St. Louis Confections
This week, we talk about food. Suzanne Corbett, author and local food historian touches on some of the culinary history of St. Louis. Did you know, for instance, that President Ulysses S. Grant ate at a local home of a friend so often they got him an engraved cup? Corbett has written "Pushcarts & S…