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Welcome to The St. Louis Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• New $6M geotech training center opens in North City.

• Upcoming St. Louis Cardinals match

• A deep-dive into the life of David R. Francis

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” 

— Vincent Van Gogh

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Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

In St. Louis, which historic venue is recognized as the birthplace of a major international fast-food chain, featuring a museum and original restaurant equipment?

A) The first McDonald's in St. Louis

B) The original St. Louis Bread Company location

C) The first Steak 'n Shake

D) The original White Castle location

Answer to Last Week's Trivia:

The St. Louis park distinguished by its large greenhouse conservatory, known as the Jewel Box, showcasing a variety of plant species, is B) Forest Park

News

💼 Business

St. Louis-area firm passes $1B in revenue. It could hit $2B next year. (Link)

Urban League's $8.5M shopping center project is 'investment' in Ferguson/Dellwood's future. (Link)

🏒 Sports

Cardinals’ bullpen gives up six late runs to drop finale in Kansas City 8-3. (Link)

Cardinals prospect Chase Davis continues summer surge with 2-hit game: Minor League Report. (Link)

🏦 Finance

New $6M geotech training center opens in North City. (Link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

⚾ Los Angeles Dodgers at St. Louis Cardinals
Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Fri, Aug 16th - Sun, Aug 18th | (More info)

⚾ Milwaukee Brewers at St. Louis Cardinals
Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Tue, Aug 20th - Thu, Aug 22nd | (More info)

Music & Concerts

🎵The Crystal Method
Old Rock House, St Louis
Friday, Aug 16th | (More info)

🎵 BALTHVS
Old Rock House, St Louis
Saturday, Aug 17th | (More info)

Family

🎒 Babaloo Music and Fun Kids Brunch
3730 Foundry Way Suite 158, St. Louis
Saturday, August 17th | (More info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “St. Louis celebrating a futuristic holiday with unique traditions” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

St. Louis Historical Events

Forest Park Dedication (1876) - One of the largest urban parks in the United States.

Forest Park, dedicated in 1876, is one of the largest urban parks in the United States, sprawling over 1,300 acres in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri. Designed to serve as a natural oasis in the bustling city, it was established in the years following the Civil War, a period that saw rapid urban development and a growing appreciation for public green spaces. Forest Park was part of a broader movement during that era to create urban parks for the public's health and enjoyment, reflecting the belief in nature's ability to refresh and uplift the human spirit.

Over the years, Forest Park has played a significant role in the community and history of St. Louis. Notably, it was the site of the 1904 World's Fair, officially known as the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, which showcased the achievements of the era and left an indelible mark on the park's landscape. Several structures and museums within the park today, including the Missouri History Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the Jewel Box, a beautiful greenhouse, trace their origins back to this grand event. The park has continually evolved, adding amenities like the Saint Louis Zoo, the Muny amphitheater, and extensive sports facilities, making it a central hub for cultural and recreational activities.

The dedication of Forest Park in 1876 has had a lasting impact on the City of St. Louis, offering a sprawling green space for residents and visitors alike. It acts not only as a recreational area where people can escape the urban environment but also as a gathering place that fosters community and hosts significant cultural institutions. Over the decades, diligent efforts to preserve and enhance the park's natural beauty and historical significance have ensured that Forest Park remains a beloved jewel of St. Louis, continuing to offer solace, entertainment, and education to millions of visitors every year.

Famous People From St. Louis

David R. Francis (1850–1927)

Eugene Field, born in St. Louis, Missouri, emerged as a cherished American writer and poet, renowned predominantly for his children's poetry and engaging humorous essays. His narratives and verses, interwoven with whimsy and sentimentality, have secured a permanent place in American literature.

Early Life in St. Louis (1850-1872)

Eugene Field was born into the bustling world of St. Louis, a city by the Mississippi that would hallmark much of his early life and later inspirations. Losing his mother at a tender age and his father, a notable attorney who represented Dred Scott, Field’s formative years were marked by loss and transience, moving between different states. This nomadic childhood, however, enriched Field's experiences, which he would later channel into his literary works.

Education and Early Career (1872-1875)

Field's academic pursuit took him to the University of Missouri, where he discovered his affection for literature and writing. Yet, it was his adventures outside the classroom, filled with youthful mischief and a developing appetite for storytelling, that shaped his early foray into writing. Post-university, his career began earnestly in journalism, initially working for various newspapers across the Midwest.

The Rise of a Literary Voice (1876-1883)

Field's journalistic endeavors led him to a pivotal role at the Denver Tribune in Colorado. Here, his column's blend of humor, heartfelt reflections, and keen observations on everyday life won him a dedicated readership. It was also during this period that Field married Julia Comstock, with whom he would have eight children, further deepening the domestic and sentimental themes of his later works.

A Poet for Children and Adults Alike (1883-1890)

In 1883, Field moved to Chicago to join the Chicago Daily News, where his column Sharps and Flats quickly became a staple for readers. Field's unique ability to oscillate between whimsical children's poetry and insightful, often satirical commentary for adults, cemented his reputation as a versatile writer. His first major collection of children's poetry, A Little Book of Western Verse (1889), showcased his gift for capturing the innocence and wonders of childhood.

Legacy in Literature (1890-1895)

Field’s later years were his most prolific, producing works that endeared him to the hearts of the American public. With Trumpet and Drum and Love-Songs of Childhood featured some of his most beloved poems, including Wynken, Blynken, and Nod. Field's gentle humor, combined with a nostalgia for simpler times, resonated deeply in an era of rapid industrialization and change.

Connection to St. Louis

Though his career took him far from Missouri, Field's literary heart often wandered back to St. Louis. His upbringing there, amidst the turmoil and transition of post-Civil War America, infused his works with a sense of history and a deep appreciation for the cultural tapestry of his homeland. Field's evocative language and vivid storytelling painted a picture of America that was both uniquely local and universally compelling.

Field's Final Years and Death (1895)

Eugene Field's health began to deteriorate in the early 1890s, yet he continued to write with the same fervor and passion that had characterized his entire career. His untimely death in 1895, at the age of 45, was widely mourned by both his readers and contemporaries in the literary world. Field left behind a rich legacy of literature, lovingly remembered and still celebrated today.

Posthumous Recognition (1895 and Beyond)

After Field’s passing, his works gained even greater appreciation, cementing his status as a pioneer of children's literature in America. Collections of his writings continued to be published and cherished by new generations, with his poems becoming fixtures in children’s anthologies and school curricula across the United States.

Eugene Field’s Cultural Impact

Field's influence extended beyond literature; his poetic style and themes contributed significantly to the cultural landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in America. His playful use of language, combined with a deep emotional resonance, has inspired countless writers and poets who followed, making Field a cornerstone in the foundation of American literary tradition.

Remembering Eugene Field

Today, Field is remembered as a master storyteller whose works transcended the boundaries of age and time. Museums and memorials dedicated to his memory serve as testaments to his enduring influence on American culture and literature. Field’s legacy, rooted in the power of simplicity, imagination, and humor, continues to enchant and entertain.

Key Achievements of Eugene Field:

• Renowned for his contributions to children’s literature and humorous essays.

• His poetry collection A Little Book of Western Verse (1889) and Love-Songs of Childhood (1894) remain celebrated works.

• Field’s column Sharps and Flats in the Chicago Daily News highlighted his exceptional abilities as a humorist and commentator.

• Author of the beloved poem Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.

• Remembered as a pioneer in making children’s poetry a respected genre in American literature.

Eugene Field’s life and work exemplify the power of storytelling and its ability to touch the hearts and minds of people across different ages. As a beloved poet of children's literature and a keen observer of American society through his humor and essays, Field carved a niche that remains uniquely his own. His ties to St. Louis, combined with his experiences across the Midwest, endowed his writing with a rich tapestry of American life and culture that continues to captivate and delight readers worldwide.

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I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Matthew Larsen

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