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Welcome to The St. Louis Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Macdonald previews Seahawks’ primetime showdown vs Packers.

• Upcoming St. Louis Blues match

• A deep-dive into the life of Charles Lindbergh

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“Happiness depends upon ourselves.”

— Aristotle

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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!

Which St. Louis district is renowned for its vibrant nightlife, fine dining, and arts scene, also hosting an annual Mardi Gras celebration considered one of the largest outside New Orleans?

A) The Central West End

B) The Delmar Loop

C) Soulard

D) Lafayette Square

Answer to Last Week's Trivia:

The St. Louis district renowned for its vibrant nightlife, fine dining, and arts scene, also hosting an annual Mardi Gras celebration considered one of the largest outside New Orleans, is C) Soulard.

News

💼 Business

Prominent Everett developer explores southward expansion. (Link)

Redmond accounting firm acquired by private equity-backed Dallas group. (Link)

🏒 Sports

Caple: Ranking every Big Ten bowl game by interest level. (Link)

Macdonald previews Seahawks’ primetime showdown vs Packers. (Link)

🏦 Finance

Speculative waterfront home on Mercer Island fetches $13.5 million. (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

🏀 Valparaiso Beacons at Saint Louis Billikens Women's Basketball
Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis
Wednesday, Dec. 18th | (More info)

🏒 New Jersey Devils at St. Louis Blues
Enterprise Center, St. Louis
Tuesday, Dec. 17th | (More info)

Music & Concerts

🎶 Crown Magnetar
Red Flag, St. Louis
Monday, Dec. 16th | (More info)

🎤 Brett Eldredge
The Fabulous Fox Theatre, St. Louis
Wednesday, Dec. 18th | (More info)

Family

🕵️‍♂️ Scavenger Hunt St. Louis
4001 Forest Park Ave, St. Louis
Tuesday, Dec. 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 “An entirely underground St. Louis” 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

Completion of Union Station (1894) - Once the world's largest and busiest train station.

Union Station in St. Louis, Missouri, completed in 1894, rapidly became not only a significant landmark but also the world's largest and busiest train station at the time. The station's conception and construction were propelled by the burgeoning necessity for a comprehensive rail hub to accommodate the growing railroad traffic in the United States. Designed by the German-American architect Theodore Link, Union Station featured an impressive Romanesque Revival style. Its grandiose design included a vast train shed, which was the largest of its kind when built, and an ornate headhouse that provided passengers with various amenities and services, showcasing the architectural and engineering prowess of the era.

Union Station served as a critical hub in the nation's rail network, handling up to 100,000 passengers a day at its height. The station's strategic position in St. Louis allowed it to facilitate the movement of people and goods across the country, symbolizing the era's industrial growth and technological advancement. It was a bustling hub where travelers from all walks of life crossed paths, from soldiers heading off to war to families embarking on cross-country journeys. The station's ability to manage such a vast amount of rail traffic efficiently was a testament to the ingenuity of its design and the foresight of its creators.

However, with the advent of air travel and the interstate highway system in the mid-20th century, Union Station's prominence in the national transportation network began to wane. By the 1970s, it had fallen into disuse, marking the end of its era as a railroad marvel. Recognizing its historical and architectural significance, efforts were made to preserve and repurpose the station. Today, Union Station has been transformed into a vibrant mixed-use complex that includes shopping, dining, and entertainment options, as well as a hotel. This adaptation has preserved its legacy, enabling visitors to appreciate its historic significance while enjoying modern conveniences, thus ensuring that Union Station remains a cherished landmark in St. Louis.

Famous People From St. Louis

Charles Lindbergh (1902–1974) - Aviator who made the first solo transatlantic airplane flight in 1927, funded by St. Louis businessmen

Charles Lindbergh, nicknamed Lucky Lindy, was an iconic American aviator, inventor, and environmentalist whose daring solo transatlantic flight in 1927 catapulted him into global fame. From humble beginnings to controversial views later in life, Lindbergh's story is an intricate tapestry of achievement, tragedy, and transformation.

Early Years and Fascination with Flight (1902-1922)

Charles Lindbergh was born in Detroit, Michigan, but spent much of his childhood in Little Falls, Minnesota, and Washington, D.C. His father was a congressman, and his mother was a chemistry teacher. Lindbergh developed an early passion for mechanics and aviation, dropping out of the University of Wisconsin to pursue flight training. He became a barnstormer, performing aerial stunts across the United States.

The Making of an Aviator (1923-1926)

Lindbergh's aviation career took off when he joined the Army Air Service Reserve in 1924, where he honed his piloting skills and graduated top of his class. Following his military service, he worked as a mail pilot, flying the route between St. Louis and Chicago. This experience laid the groundwork for his historic flight across the Atlantic.

The Spirit of St. Louis and the Transatlantic Flight (1927)

In an era when flying was still perilous, Lindbergh dreamed of making the first nonstop solo flight from New York to Paris, spurred by a $25,000 prize offered by the French-born New York hotelier Raymond Orteig. Backed by a group of St. Louis businessmen, Lindbergh helped design the single-engine Spirit of St. Louis. On May 20, 1927, he embarked from Roosevelt Field in New York, landing at Le Bourget Field near Paris 33.5 hours later, a feat that made him an international hero.

Fame and Its Complications (1927-1932)

Following his historic flight, Lindbergh was thrust into the spotlight. He received numerous awards, including the Medal of Honor and the first Distinguished Flying Cross. His autobiography We was a bestseller. In 1929, Lindbergh married Anne Morrow, who would become an accomplished aviator in her own right. However, their lives were forever changed when their son Charles Jr. was kidnapped and tragically murdered in 1932, a media frenzy that led them to seek privacy in Europe.

The European Years and Controversial Views (1933-1939)

While living in Europe, Lindbergh became interested in conservation and the emerging field of rocketry but also controversially admired the efficiency of Nazi Germany's air force, receiving a German medal from Hermann Göring in 1938. His non-interventionist stance and speeches urging America to stay out of World War II would later tarnish his reputation.

World War II and After (1940-1945)

Despite his non-interventionist views, when the United States entered World War II, Lindbergh sought to serve as a civilian consultant. Training pilots and flying numerous combat missions in the Pacific, he contributed significantly to the war effort, albeit not in an official capacity due to the Roosevelt administration's disfavor.

Postwar Life and Environmental Activism (1946-1974)

After the war, Lindbergh settled into a quieter life, focusing on environmental causes and conservation. He became a prolific writer and speaker on conservation, technology, and humanity's impact on the natural world. Lindbergh warned of the consequences of unchecked technological advancement and advocated for preserving endangered species and habitats.

Final Years and Legacy (1969-1974)

In his final years, Lindbergh continued to promote environmentalism and undertook trips to Africa and the Philippines to support wildlife conservation. He passed away on August 26, 1974, in Maui, Hawaii, leaving behind a complex legacy marked by monumental achievements, personal tragedy, and later-life activism.

Key Achievements of Charles Lindbergh:

• Made the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight in the Spirit of St. Louis in 1927.

• Awarded the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his aviation feats.

• Authored several books, including his famous autobiography We.

• Contributed to environmental conservation and warned against technological excess.

Charles Lindbergh's life story encapsulates the highs and lows of 20th-century fame, from thrilling achievements in aviation to navigating personal tragedies and controversial stances. His transatlantic flight in 1927 forever changed aviation, while his later years reflected a transformative journey towards environmental stewardship. Lindbergh's legacy, multifaceted and complex, continues to inspire and provoke discussion.

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