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Welcome to The St. Louis Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Feds postpone foreclosure sale at downtown St. Louis tower.

• Upcoming Gabe Lee concert

• A deep-dive into the life of Dred Scott

• And more…

Quote of the Week

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."

— C.S. Lewis

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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 historic St. Louis hotel, opened in 1903, is famous for its beautiful architecture and the introduction of the first French-style roof garden in the United States?

A) The Chase Park Plaza

B) Hotel Saint Louis

C) The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis

D) The Mayfair Hotel

Answer to Last Week's Trivia:

The historic St. Louis hotel, opened in 1903, famous for its beautiful architecture and the introduction of the first French-style roof garden in the United States, is D) The Mayfair Hotel.

News

💼 Business

Feds postpone foreclosure sale at downtown St. Louis tower. (Link)

Bellefontaine Neighbors employee walkout gets attention of state lawmakers. (Link)

🏒 Sports

A strong second power play unit couldn't save the Blues from 8-1 loss to Senators: Net Front Presence. (Link)

Projecting how Mizzou men's basketball's rotation will shake out in 2024-2025. (Link)

🏦 Finance

Life science business investing $76M, adding 170 jobs at St. Louis facility. (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

🏒 Toronto Maple Leafs at St. Louis Blues
Enterprise Center, St. Louis
Saturday, Nov. 2nd | (More info)

🏒 Tampa Bay Lightning at St. Louis Blues
Enterprise Center, St. Louis
Tuesday, Nov. 5th | (More info)

Music & Concerts

🎶 Fantasía and Anthony Hamilton
Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis
Saturday, Nov. 2nd | (More info)

🎤 Gabe Lee
Oak Tree Concerts, St. Louis
Sunday, Nov. 3rd | (More info)

Family

🏰 Magic Chef Mansion Tour
3400 Russell Boulevard, St. Louis
Saturday, Nov. 2nd | (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 “Spaceport integrated into St. Louis's central hub” 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

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (1965) - The Gateway Arch, a symbol of westward expansion, is completed.

The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, prominently featuring the iconic Gateway Arch, stands as a monumental tribute to the United States' westward expansion. Completed in 1965, this awe-inspiring arch in St. Louis, Missouri, not only serves as a visual spectacle but also encapsulates the pioneering spirit and challenges faced by those who ventured into the unknown territories west of the Mississippi River. The arch, designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, has come to symbolize the courage and determination of the early settlers and explorers who played a pivotal role in shaping the nation's destiny.

Rising majestically along the St. Louis riverfront, the Gateway Arch towers at 630 feet, making it the tallest monument in the United States. Its sleek, stainless steel exterior and unique catenary curve design captivate viewers, symbolizing a literal and metaphorical gateway to the West. The arch is more than a feat of engineering; it is a portal through time, offering visitors a glimpse into the historical journey of westward expansion through its museum located at the base. The structure and the surrounding parkland pay homage to iconic figures such as Presidents Thomas Jefferson and Lewis and Clark, who were instrumental in the expansion process.

The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, with the Gateway Arch at its heart, serves not only as a centerpiece of architectural brilliance but also as a beacon of American resilience and exploration. It draws millions of visitors annually who come to marvel at its grandeur and reflect on the historical significance of the westward expansion narrative. The arch offers various experiences, including tram rides to its apex, providing breathtaking views of St. Louis and the Mississippi River. As a symbol of American progress and innovation, the Gateway Arch remains an enduring emblem of the nation's vast and diverse heritage, inviting exploration and admiration from people around the world.

Famous People From St. Louis

Dred Scott (c.1799–1858) - Enslaved African American man who sued for his freedom in St. Louis in the famous Dred Scott v. Sandford case.

Dred Scott, born into slavery, would become a central figure in a landmark legal battle that shook the foundations of the United States. His life was one of enduring hardship and a determined fight for freedom, leaving an indelible mark on American history.

Early Years and Life Under Slavery (c.1799-1830)

Born into slavery in Virginia around 1799, Dred Scott's early life was marked by constant upheaval, mirroring the harsh realities of countless enslaved African Americans. Little is known about his family or early childhood, but like many slaves, Scott faced the trauma of family separations and was moved several times, eventually ending up in Missouri, a slave state.

Movements and Changing Masters (1830s)

Throughout the 1830s, Scott was passed between owners, a common practice that exemplified the dehumanization of slavery. His life took a significant turn when he was sold to Dr. John Emerson, a surgeon in the U.S. Army. Emerson's military assignments led Scott to accompany him to Illinois and the Wisconsin Territory, where slavery was prohibited by the Missouri Compromise of 1820.

Marriage and Family Life (1836-1843)

While residing in the free territories, Dred Scott married Harriet Robinson, an enslaved woman. Their marriage, performed by Emerson, was notable as it was sanctioned by a slave owner in a free territory, highlighting the complex interplay of laws governing slavery and freedom. The couple eventually had two daughters, Eliza and Lizzie.

Sue for Freedom (1846-1857)

The watershed moment of Scott's life arrived when he and his wife filed suit for their family’s freedom in the St. Louis Circuit Court in 1846. The Scotts argued that their extended residence in free territories granted them freedom. The Missouri courts initially delivered mixed verdicts, but in a groundbreaking case, they ultimately decided against Scott, ruling that African Americans could not claim citizenship and thus could not sue in federal court.

Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

The culmination of over a decade of legal battles was the Supreme Court’s decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford. Chief Justice Roger B. Taney ruled that African Americans, slaves or free, were not U.S. citizens and had no standing to sue in federal court. Furthermore, Taney found the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, a decision that exacerbated national tensions leading to the American Civil War.

Connection to St. Louis (1846-1857)

St. Louis served as the legal and emotional center of Scott's prolonged fight for freedom. It was in this city that he initiated his legal battle, and despite facing profound disappointments here, St. Louis was also where Scott found support within both the free black community and among abolitionists. The city's historical significance was further cemented by the Scott case.

Freedom and Final Years (1857-1858)

In a poignant turn of events, after the Supreme Court's devastating decision, the sons of Scott’s original owner purchased and manumitted the Scott family. Although Dred Scott lived only a year as a free man, his relentless pursuit of justice left an enduring legacy, symbolizing the fight against the institution of slavery in America.

The Legacy of the Case (Post-1858)

The Dred Scott decision had profound implications for the United States, fueling the escalating conflicts that led to the Civil War. It stands today as a stark reminder of the country's struggle with slavery and the quest for civil rights.

Death and Commemoration (1858 and Beyond)

Dred Scott died from tuberculosis on September 17, 1858, in St. Louis, Missouri. Although he did not live to see the abolition of slavery, his fight for freedom and the infamous Supreme Court decision that bears his name are central chapters in the narrative of American history. Today, Scott's legacy is honored with memorials and educational initiatives that continue to inspire the pursuit of justice and equality.

Key Achievements of Dred Scott:

• Initiated a landmark legal battle for freedom that highlighted the struggles of enslaved African Americans.

• Lived and worked in free territories, challenging the boundaries of slavery and freedom in the United States.

• Became the plaintiff in Dred Scott v. Sandford, one of the most significant and controversial Supreme Court cases in American history.

• Contributed to the intensification of national debates over slavery, influencing the political landscape leading up to the Civil War.

Dred Scott's life symbolizes the enduring fight against the injustices of slavery and the pursuit of American ideals of freedom and equality. His struggle, culminating in the infamous Supreme Court decision, exposed the deep divisions within the United States over slavery and citizenship. Scott did not live to see the abolition of slavery, but his legal fight and its aftermath were pivotal in shaping the nation's future trajectory toward civil rights and justice.

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-Matthew Larsen

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