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Welcome to The St. Louis Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Major home goods retailer announces more store closures, including another in St. Louis area.

• Upcoming St. Louis Blues match

• A deep-dive into the life of Kate Chopin

• And more…

Quote of the Week

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started."

— Mark Twain

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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 University is the oldest west of the Mississippi River?

A) Washington University in St. Louis

B) Saint Louis University

C) University of Missouri–St. Louis

D) Webster University

Answer to Last Week’s Trivia:

St. Louis University is the oldest west of the Mississippi River is B) The Gateway Arch

News

💼 Business

Record spending fuels Missouri campaigns to legalize sports gambling, new casino. (Link)

Major home goods retailer announces more store closures, including another in St. Louis area. (Link)

🏒 Sports

The Blues don’t have a Macklin Celebrini to celebrate, but comebacks show they can compete. (Link)

MLB, Diamond may soon know which teams will stay with troubled broadcaster. (Link)

🏦 Finance

Big family-owned tire dealer expands to Texas after getting private equity investment. (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

🏒 Carolina Hurricanes at St. Louis Blues
Enterprise Center, Saint Louis
Saturday, Oct. 19th | (More info)

🏒 New York Islanders at St. Louis Blues
Enterprise Center, Saint Louis
Thursday, Oct. 17th | (More info)

Music & Concerts

🎸 Godsmack
The Family Arena, St. Louis
Sunday, Oct. 20th | (More info)

🎤 Adam Paddock
Platypus, St. Louis
Saturday, Oct. 19th | (More info)

Family

💼 St. Louis Leadership: Is It A Good/Bad Idea To Be Friends With Employees?
Online Webinar, St. Louis
Saturday, Oct. 19th | (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 streets bustling with holographic advertisements” 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

Great Fire of St. Louis (1849) - A significant fire destroys much of St. Louis's waterfront and downtown.

The Great Fire of St. Louis in 1849 stands as one of the most catastrophic events in the city's history, reshaping its urban landscape and development trajectory. On the night of May 17, the fire began on a steamboat moored at the city's bustling riverfront, quickly spreading to other boats and nearby buildings. Fueled by the predominantly wooden construction of the city's architecture and the proximity of buildings along the waterfront, the flames swiftly engulfed a significant portion of St. Louis, leaving a path of destruction in their wake.

Despite the efforts of the city's fledgling fire department and volunteers, the fire raged uncontrollably for hours. The conflagration destroyed over 23 steamboats, numerous warehouses, and hundreds of buildings, causing a substantial economic blow to what was then a major frontier city and hub of commerce. The devastating impact of the fire was felt not only in the immediate loss of property and business but also in the tragic loss of lives, with estimates of the deceased ranging from three to hundreds due to the chaos and lack of accurate records.

In the aftermath of the fire, St. Louis embarked on a period of rapid reconstruction and urban planning reforms. New building codes were implemented, mandating the use of more fire-resistant materials, and the city's fire department was significantly expanded and modernized. The Great Fire of 1849 became a pivotal moment in St. Louis's history, a harsh lesson in urban safety and planning that influenced the city's development for decades to come. The resilience and determination of its citizens in the face of such adversity played a crucial role in transforming St. Louis into the vibrant and dynamic city it is today.

Famous People From St. Louis

Kate Chopin (1850–1904)

Born Katherine O'Flaherty on February 8, 1850, in St. Louis, Missouri, Kate Chopin was immersed in the city's vibrant mix of cultures, notably her own Irish and French heritage. Raised by women who valued education, independence, and an understanding of heritage, Chopin's early life was marked by the death of her father, which deeply influenced her views on women's roles and relationships within the family and society.

Education and Intellectual Awakening (1868–1870):

Chopin attended the St. Louis Academy of the Sacred Heart, where she was exposed to a rigorous curriculum that included the classics, French literature, and the arts. This education, deeply rooted in her French heritage, cultivated her intellectual curiosity and laid the groundwork for her literary career, fostering a love for storytelling and an appreciation for the complexities of character and culture.

Marriage and Life in Louisiana (1870–1882):

In 1870, Kate married Oscar Chopin and moved to New Orleans, a city whose rich cultural tapestry and racial diversity would greatly influence her writing. The couple later settled on a plantation in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, where Kate Chopin embraced the Creole way of life, learning French Creole language and customs, which would deeply inform her later work.

Widowhood and Return to St. Louis (1882–1884):

After her husband's death in 1882, Chopin returned to St. Louis with her six children to live with her mother. This period of her life was marked by significant personal challenges, including the responsibility of raising her children alone and managing her late husband's debts. The experience of loss and independence would become central themes in her works.

Beginning of Literary Career (1884–1894):

Chopin began her literary career in earnest in the mid-1880s, drawing upon her experiences in Louisiana and St. Louis. Her early works were well-received, marked by her keen observations of life in both the South and the urban landscape of St. Louis. These stories and articles, often published in local newspapers and magazines, showcased her talent for capturing the dialects, landscapes, and social dynamics of her settings.

The Awakening and Controversy (1899):

Chopin's most famous work, The Awakening, was published in 1899, depicting the emotional and sexual awakening of a young woman, Edna Pontellier. The novel's candid treatment of female sexuality and critique of marital and societal norms was controversial, leading to widespread criticism that damaged Chopin's reputation and career during her lifetime.

Later Years and Critical Reception (1899–1904):

The backlash from The Awakening significantly affected Chopin's later years, both personally and professionally. Although she continued to write, her works were often rejected by publishers wary of her controversial image. Despite these challenges, Chopin remained committed to exploring themes of freedom, identity, and desire, though she would not live to see her work fully appreciated.

Death and Legacy (1904):

Kate Chopin died on August 22, 1904, in St. Louis, Missouri. At the time of her death, her contributions to American literature were largely unrecognized. However, the 20th century saw a reevaluation of her work, with The Awakening and her short stories now celebrated for their pioneering exploration of gender, sexuality, and identity.

Connection to St. Louis:

Kate Chopin's connection to St. Louis profoundly influenced her life and work. The city's diverse cultural environment, coupled with the personal and intellectual freedoms she experienced there, shaped her perspectives and themes as a writer. St. Louis provided Chopin with a rich backdrop for her stories and a supportive, if sometimes challenging, environment for her development as a pioneering literary figure.

Key Achievements:

• Pioneered feminist themes in literature, particularly with The Awakening.

• Captured the complexity of Creole life and the American South.

• Contributed significantly to American literary realism.

Kate Chopin emerged from the cultural crossroads of St. Louis to become one of the most important figures in 19th-century American literature. Her exploration of women's independence, sexual autonomy, and identity was groundbreaking, challenging the societal norms of her time. Though not fully appreciated until after her death, Chopin's work has left an indelible mark on the literary landscape, celebrated for its boldness and depth of insight into the human condition

Connect With Me

If you want to connect, reply to this email and let me know what you think.

I would love to hear from you.

-Yannick Lyons

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