town

Downtown St Joseph, Missouri

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Pony Express Statue in Civic Center Park

Photos of the Pony Express Stables are located in the SOUTH OF FELIX section

ORIGINAL MAP OF ST JOSEPH, MISSOURI This is the original mapping of St Joseph

UNKNOWN DOWNTOWN BUILDINGS
PRIOR TO URBAN RENEWAL

Some of these photos were donated by Dave Sietzen
Photo #1: Looking south from 8th & Felix, Old US Post Office can be seen in left rear
Photo #2: The large building in center could be Noma Lites(?)
Photo #3: Unknown what once stood here
They will be distributed properly as the are identified
Photo numbers are located on the right side of each photo
If you recognize any, please email me at rickdrozd@gmail.com

LAST UPDATE - 03/20/06 Top row - 501 Felix, 511 Felix and 513 Felix Bottom row - 515 Felix, 515 Felix and 517 Felix These are buildings locate between 5th & 6th Street on the North side of Felix. I have no idea who originally occupied these buildings. The Plymouth building is somewhat visible in the bottom right photo

St Joseph Missouri Downtown Urban Renewal

Downtown St Joseph was once a thriving & very busy part of the city. However, Urban Renewal in the 1970's removed many of the downtown buildings.
Over 100 buildings were destroyed leaving a lot of empty lots also several parking lots were created in the process for a the few remaining downtown businesses. A few structures were restored or are currently in the process of being restored

Several people had started a law suit to prevent the demolition of the Market area. The publicity was very positive for retaining the old buildings and the outcome looked good. A court order was about to be issued to prevent it's destruction. The urban renewal people brought the wrecking ball in and destroyed the buildings before the court order was issued which would have prevented them from destroying this area. A lot of very old and historic structures were destroyed

3 multi-level parking garages were constructed where many buildings once stood, but the upper levels of all three were closed off as they were found to be unsafe. The top level of one garage is now being considered for total removal.
The Trail Theater, downtown's remaining movie theater, the north wall can be seen at far left bottom. Manning's Market, which is now gone, is the building to it's right. Manning's has been replaced by a Taco Bell. The area that looks like a triangle is now consumed by a new Hardee's fast food resturant. The old Miller Chevrolet & South Western Bell buildings can be seen at the extreme bottom right.

1983, the city replaced the falling apart Pony Express Bridge PONY EXPRESS BRIDGE We made a lot of trips over the old bridge to Wathena, Kansas. Every weekend was a trip to Jack's. Those who went to Junior College made trips between classes. It was a neat looking bridge, but it was in terrible condition. The new bridges are a major improvement

#10

OLD FARMERS MARKET

Once a thriving section of downtown, this was the Wholesale Food Business district. It used to be known as the Farmers Market or Apple Market. Buildings such of these once lined 2nd, 3rd & 4th Streets from Edmond to Jules. Sidney Rothstein and his brothers Bill and Leonard were the owners of Central Fruit Co. Their father Nate Rothstein had started the company with a partner around the turn of the century. Another big fruit wholesaler was the Waris Fruit Company, they were located on the left side in some of these photos. This is one of the first areas to be torn down during the Urban Renewal program. You could buy about any kind of food here at these markets. Remnants of the wrecking ball during Urban Renewal is visible in photo #7

PHOTO #1 - This is a view of the buildings taken from the west side. This area was torn down for the new Downtown Hotel which has now changed hands twice
PHOTO #2 - With dirt streets and horse drawn wagons, this photo is quite old
PHOTO #3 - Farmer & Citizen Drug Company and the Sandusky Fruit Market are both visible on the left side of the photo
PHOTO #4 - Notice how the advertising that was painted on the #3 & #4 buildings changed in the 2 similar photos
PHOTO #5 - This is a view of 4th Street looking North from Felix Street, notice the once beautiful architecture
PHOTO #6 - This is a photo I took before the wrecking ball demolished these buildings - notice the lumber on sidewalks
PHOTO #7 - This is a building that the wrecking ball destroyed only one day before I could take a photo
PHOTO #8 - This shows (left to right) Chester McGaughey, Bill Rothstein, Norville Grace, Sid Rothstein Dale Kretzer, Nate Rothstein and on the steps in the back are Abe and Lou Blanar, owners of Blanar Fruit Company
PHOTO #9 - This picture shows Bill, Leonard and Sidney Rothstein standing beside a Central Fruit Market truck
PHOTO #10 - This is one half of the original half block Joseph Roubidoux set up as MARKET SQUARE

PRYOR POULTRY & EGG COMPANY 201 - 05 Felix Bert W. Pryor Owner Photo donated by Dave Sietzen

AMERICAN ELECTRIC CO - 4th & FELIX 116 N. 4th Russell Peck (Pres) Barent Springstead (jr v-pres & sec) Rudolph H Falkenback (v-pres) Photo donated by Dave Sietzen

1st NATIONAL BANK - 4th & FELIX

PHOTO #1 - 1st National Bank
PHOTO #2 - 4th & Felix looking East. Check out the old original street lights
PHOTO #3 - 1st National Bank which is now Commerce Bank

CITY AUDITORIUM - 4th & FELIX

The new auditorium is bounded by 4th & 5th Sts - Felix to Francis Sts
PHOTO #1 & 2 - Old St Joseph City Auditorium. They had the circus, basketball games, high school events, musical shows, and many other events. It was a very nostolgic & historical building
Photo #2 donated by John Fulmer
PHOTO #3 - New Auditorium & one of the new Multi-level parking lots - Top level is blocked off - deemed unsafe
PHOTO #4 - New City Auditorium

#1 #2 5th & FELIX Photo #1: Looking East from 5th & Felix Einbenders can be seen at bottom right McDonald Shoes & Leibowitz can be seen on the left The LOAN company on the left was HFC (Household Finance Corp) Photo #1 donated by Dave Sietzen Photo #2: Looking West from 5th & Felix Photo #2 donated by John Fulmer

CORBY BUILDING FACADE - 5th & FELIX Beautiful facade of Corby Building, now called Corby Place . They don't build them like this anymore

6th & FELIX 1918 Postcard of Felix Street. Looking west on Felix from 6th Street. The Kresege Building, now demolished, is at the right. The United Department Store was later built to replace the small one story building on the left

THE PLYMOUTH - 6th & FELIX

PHOTOS #1 & #2 - The current empty lot where Kresge's and Woolworth once stood. In the background, the Plymouth building can be seen
PHOTO #3 - The Plymouth, looking north on 6th street

The Dime Stores - 6th & FELIX
Kresge's, Woolworth, Mattingly's & United

Downtown St Joseph used to have three 5&10 cent stores, actually 4 if you counted United Department Store as one. Kresge's was on the northeast corner of 6th & Felix & Woolworth was directly east of Kresge's. United was located on the Southeast corner of 6th & Felix, directly across the street from Kresge. United's basement was once loaded with 5 & 10 cent items but nothing to compare with Kresge & Woolworth's selections. The 5&10 cent stores were often refered to as the "five & dime" or "dime store" because the majority of their items for sale could be purchased for 5 or 10 cents. Kresge's was the most popular of all the dime stores. It had a great lunch counter with fabulous 15 cent limeades and you could keep the tall dark green glass. My grandmother must have had 50 of those things.
PHOTOS #1 & #2 - Kresge's as it once stood
PHOTOS #3 & #4 - Kresge's & Woolworth's now empty lots
PHOTOS #5 & #6 - The demolition of Kresge's & Woolworth
PHOTOS #7 & #8 - F W Woolworth & Company 5 & 10 cent store
PHOTO #7 - This was the Woolworth re-opening of the new store. From the attire, I would say it was taken somewhere around WWI era.
Notice the dirt streets & buggies in Photo #8
PHOTOS #9, #10 & #11 - The United Department Store
PHOTO #12 - the building in which once housed Mattingly's
PHOTO #13 - the front windows of Woolworth in 1909
Mattingly's was 1/2 block south on 6th St. between Edmond & Felix Sts, on the east side of the street.

FELIX Street Between 5th & 7th

Thom McCan, Steve Shoes, Joe Geller & Modeo Day
Left of Thom McCan's, another shoe store can be seen
JC Penny is the large building to the right
Notice the painted on Steinway Piano sign atop the JC Penny building
Photo #1 was donated by Dave Sietzen

Black & White photos are taken prior to Urban Renewal. Color photos show Felix Street - (5th thru 7th Street areas) as it looked in 2005

#1 #2

7th & FELIX

PHOTO #1 - Federal Bakery
PHOTO #2 - Joe Optican Jewelers - bottom right of photo
Photos donated by Dave Sietzen
PHOTO #3 - Looking north from 7th & Felix - the empty lot is where the Federal Bakery once stood
PHOTO #4 - Looking east from 7th & Felix - the empty lot is where the Federal Bakery once stood
PHOTO #5 - Current 2005 view of the old Joe Optican store - southeast corner of 7th & Felix

AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK - 7th & FELIX

Located at 624 Felix, this building is now occupied by Pony Express Community Bank on the southwest corner 7th & Felix
PHOTO #1 - Felix Street Main entrance
PHOTO #2 - 7th Street Side entrance
PHOTO #3 - Spiral Fire Escape - isn't it neat?

MISSOURI-KANSAS TELEPHONE CO - 7th & FELIX The old Missouri-Kansas Telephone building located at 116 South 7th St. Built at the turn of the century, it is still standing. The American Legion, which burned down in 1991, used to be to the left side of this building

YMCA - 7th & FELIX

PHOTO #1 - The original YMCA was located at 7th & Felix. It was built in 1887
PHOTO #2 - The YMCA later moved to 10th & Faraon
PHOTO #3 - The YMCA has now moved into a new facility at 6th & Sylvanie Street

8th & FREDERICK (now FELIX)

PHOTO #1 - Schroer's Drugs was once located here at 8th & Frederick across from Hirschs. The building was razed in 1979 during Urban Renewal (Photo donated by David Seitzen)
PHOTO #2 - Looking West from 8th & Felix, Schroer's Drug sign can be seen at the far right side
PHOTO #3 - Taken in 1921 during the Fire Chief's funeral, United Cigar Store is on southwest corner at this time
PHOTO #4 - This later became the Nechi Elna Sewing Machine Company. I have no idea what was in this building when photo #8 was taken
Photo donated by Dave Sietzen
PHOTO #5 - Original Hirsch's Department Store, southeast corner of 8th & Frederick
PHOTO #6 - A new more modern Hirsch's replaced the original structure. It was remodeled once again in later years. All the women loved to shop at Hirsch's. They moved to East Hills Shopping Center on the Belt Highway. I don't think they did so well there as they are now closed. JC Penny's, Sears, Wards, and other clothing stores were right next to them. Wards closed a few years ago but Penny's and Sears are still in business as 2005.
PHOTO #7 - 8th & Frederick around the turn of the century before Hirsch's was built
PHOTO #8 - 8th & Frederick looking East from 8th street. Photo donated by John Fulmer

ST JOSEPH SURGICAL SUPPLY - 8th & FREDERICK 815 Frederick Avenue - now a parking lot at 8th & Felix (City Hall is visible at the far right of the 2nd photo) Leonard McCoy (Pres) Dward A Moore (V-Pres-Sec) Photo donated by Dave Sietzen

NEW YORKER BAR & GRILL 9th & Frederick In later years, it moved to Faroan, between 9th & 10th streets, behind Mannings Market

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 THE HOWITT BUILDING - 8th & FELIX Numerous committess fought to save this unique building. It was once the home to KUSN radio station. A municipal parking lot now consumes this area Photo #1 & #2 were taken right before the wrecking ball began Photos #3, #4 & #5 were donated by Dave Sietzen

Rudolph's Red Cross Pharmacy - 9th & FREDERICK Once located at 910 Frederick Avenue Owners were Victor L. Rudolf and his brother This was a block that was bounded by Felix, Francis and 9th St. A municipal parking lot that was constructed in the block during urban renewal. This view was from 9th & Francis looking West

CITY MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT - 9th & FELIX One of the "unsafe upper level" multi-level, million dollar parking lots. Note the barred entrance to the upper level This parking lot is located at 9th & Felix, across the street from the Trail Theater

9th & FELIX Western Auto used to occupy the smaller building that is just south of the Trail Theater. I don't know what occupied the corner building. It used to be some kind of technical school at one time

ST JOSEPH PUBLIC LIBRARY - 10th & Felix The downtown library has been totally remodeled, spending who knows how much money on it. It really looks nice inside, however, they failed to replace the worn out carpet on the entrance steps which is torn, worn out and loose in many areas

10th & FREDERICK AVENUE

PHOTO #1: Looking West on Frederick Avenue at 10th Street. This now consumes the entire block beteen 9th & 10th Frederick Avenue
PHOTO #2: Looking North on 10th Street at Frederick Avenue. This was once Sammy's Drugs. I believe Sammy's closed in the early 1980's. St Joseph Plasma Center occupied the building for about 15 years. The building at the far right with the red front was once Bray Photography Studio

CITY HALL - 11th & FREDERICK Photo of City Hall at 11th & Frederick Avenue as it appeared in the late 1940's Photo donated by Butch Sollars

UNITED PAPER - 101 Francis Street Northeast corner of 1st & Francis

FRANCIS & JULES on 4th Street Rather than tearing the buildings down, they gutted them & totally restoring them on the outside only thus far

BIG SMITH - 4th & Francis Street Northwest corner of 4th & Francis Makers of jeans & overalls, one of the first jean companies to leave town

UNITED STATES POST OFFICE Once located at 2nd & Francis Street

Missouri Valley Trust Company - 4th & FRANCIS Still located at the SE corner at 4th & Francis

Regnier & Shoup Crockery Company - 4th & FRANCIS Once located on NE corner of 4th & Francis St. Hotel Robidoux can be seen further down the block

FRANCIS STREET- BETWEEN 4th & 5th Streets

#29 is almost the same photo as #25. The photographer merely walked east on Francis St. a half block to the alley, and took a photo of the wrecker taking out an old building on the corner of 5th and Francis, SW corner. The Pioneer Building with its distinctive roofline is clearly visible in the background.
Location info submitted by Lawrence Pilgram
Photos donated by Dave Sietzen

JEROME HOTEL & HOTEL ROBIDOUX 5th & FRANCIS This empty lot, across street from Hotel Robidoux, was the Jerome Hotel and Restaurant. It was managed by Mr Harold Gordon. It was a six story, 75 room hotel which opened in in 1922 at 416 Francis Street.. It was gutted by fire on March 4, 1957 and ordered demolished by the city. Details donated by: Don Erck, Elk Grove, CA Photo donated by Dave Sietzen

ST JOSEPH LIGHT & POWER - 5th & FRANCIS St Joseph Light & Power Company, Francis St, between 5th & 6th St. SJL&P moved to 6th & Atchison streets, later was bought by Aquila

LEE's RECORD & RADIO SHOP
601 FRANCIS & 516 FRANCIS

Originally located at 601 Francis, across the street from Townsend & Wall, it was later torn down and was replaced with Katz Drug Store. Lee's Record Shop was then moved to 516 Francis Street
The favorite record shop of the teenagers. This place was always packed with customers. You could buy the top hits on 45s for $1
Al and Irene Rothstein, owned Lee�s Record and Radio
Photos donated by their daughter, Carol Rothstein

TOWNSEND & WALL - 6th & FRANCIS
Townsend & Wall Department store was one of downtown's largest department stores. Townsend & Wall was located on the SE corner of 6th & Francis
T&W had five floors and a bargain basement which sold the more "affordable" clothes. The store was filled with anything a person would want. Custom drapes, carpet, furniture, clothing, everything imaginable. Real gold paint on the elevator doors. It has now been made into an apartment complex

ST FRANCIS HOTEL - 6th & FRANCIS

St Francis Hotel, originally located on the NE corner of 6th & Francis, across the street from Townsend & Wall. It was torn down and a new Katz Drug Store was built in it's place. It later became Skaggs Drugs. Skaggs then moved to East Hills Shopping Center. I'm not sure what business is currently in the old Katz building. Skaggs closed the store at East Hills a few years ago.

F.W.WOOLWORTH - 6th & FRANCIS F.W. WOOLWORTH FIVE AND TEN CENT STORE - Was located at 613 Francis, this photo is the lunch counter as it was in 1937

7th & FRANCIS KIRKPATRICK BLG & KIRKPATRICK JEWELRY Southwest corner of 7th & Francis

8th & FRANCIS UNKNOWN BUILDING Southwest corner of 8th & Francis

HILLYARD INDUSRIES - 4th & JULES Hillyard Industries, 4th & Jules Sts, is in it's 4th generation of family ownership. Also known as Hillyard Chemical.

Buchanan County Court House - 4th & JULES 4th & Jules - Buchanan County Court House - They recently rebuilt all steps, closed off entrances, allowing entry only on the east side. Everyone must pass through a metal detector (such as airports have) when entering the building (2nd photo donated by John Fulmer)

MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT - 6th & FARAON One of the "safe" multi-level, million dollar parking lots. Located at 6th & Faraon

MISSOURI METHODIST HOSPITAL - 7th & FARAON

Occupying 2 solid blocks in downtown, this once was known as the Mo Methodist Hospital. All of the light colored brick areas are new additions. I was born in here in 1944. it is currently owned by Heartland Hospital and called Heartland West. Heartland Hospital has a monopoly on the hospitals now here in St Joseph. They have closed this building and it is currently in the discussion to demolish the structure. Great, just what we need, more empty lots. I would like to see another hospital take it over or even make it a home for the homeless people.

AUNT JEMIMA MILL - 2nd & EDMOND Aunt Jemima Mill, once located at 2nd Street, south of Edmond St.

BLOCK'S ARMY SURPLUS - 4th & EDMOND Everybody should remember Block's Army Surplus at 4th & Edmond owned by Leon Block. This picture was taken when Block's was at 5th & Felix Sts.

SILVER DOLLAR SALOON - 5th & EDMOND Silver Dollar Saloon - Once located on the north side of Edmond between 5th & 6th Sts. This area is now vacant lots Photos donated by Butch Sollars

5TH & EDMOND

Photo #1 & #2 - Masonic Temple - used until 1906 when a new temple was constructed. Photo #3 is Edmond St looking West towards 5th St. The Orpheum Theater was on the northeast corner of 5th & Edmond.
Photo #4 is a recent photo looking East on Edmond from 5th St. As you can see, a few changes have occurred over the years

4th & EDMOND
and 5th & EDMOND

#1 - Looking north from 4th & Edmond - Garland's Tavern & Voss Wallpaper
#2 - Garland's Tavern - Edmond Street is on bottom right of photo
#3 - Schlitz Cafe - somewhere at 5th & Edmond
Above Photos donated by Dave Sietzen
#4 - Looking north on Edmond, Garland's Tavern, another tavern, barber shop & Paul Blocks Furniture was at far right side

JOHN JOSEPH CAFE - 4th & EDMOND A small cafe once located at 415 Edmond Built in 1919, offered hamburgers for 25 cents and soda for 5 cents

5th & EDMOND Light & Power city bus rounding the corner at 5th & Edmond. Paul Block's Furniture store is located in the far background The Mechanics Bank is now Commerce Bank St Joseph Safety Council occupies the lower floor

EDMOND STREET - BETWEEN 5th & 6th

As viewed from Edmond St between 5th & 6th, the Corby Building, our only 14 or 15 story skyscraper, towers in the background. Once filled with doctors, lawyers, etc., it now is an apartment building called The Fountain. Looking at the large vacanct lot, the Orpheum Theatre was once located at the far left corner. The Stevers Pool Hall in the middle next to the Silver Slipper Saloon.

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 EDMOND - BETWEEN 5th & 6th Sts Southside of 5th-6th & Edmond. These shops were all pawnshops. From left to right, American Pawn & Jewelry, Heiten Jewelry & Pawn, Arch Cable, Wright's Jewelry. (Thanks Dick Heath!)

KATZ DRUG STORE - 6th & EDMOND STREET The old Katz Drug Store at SW corner of 6th & Edmond still stands. Currently occupied by a fabric store

NICK'S CLEANERS - 6th & EDMOND Now a vacant lot, this building was once located between 6th & 7th on north side of Edmond. If I remember correctly Nick's Cleaners was owned by the Zaroor family Photo donated by Dave Sietzen

NEW LAMP POSTS DOWNTOWN The city replaced all the downtown street lights with these good looking historic type lamp posts. Too bad most of the historic buildings are gone

ESHELMAN MUSIC - 6th Street between Edmond & Felix

Once Eshelman's Music. We used to come here to listen to & buy the latest rock n' roll 45 rpm records in the 50's & 60's. They sold all types of musical instruments. Numerous businesses have been there since. I believe it is currently empty.
However, Lee's Record Shop was the most popular because records were their primary business. It was located on Francis St between 5th & 6th on the south side. LOOKING FOR PICS OF LEE'S!!!

EMPIRE TRUST COMPANY - 6th & EDMOND First Bank of Missouri on the Southeast corner of 6th & Edmond. This was Empire Trust Co. which merged with Tootle which merged with American to form the predecessor of Merchantile Bank. (Thanks Dick Heath)

HOUSE OF WHEELS & TOYS - 7th & EDMOND

Originally, Bechtold & Rouse Bicycle Shop, sold later to Red Rouse to become the House of Wheels and Toys. Red ran it for years and years, finally selling it to Curt Gardener who renamed it to Big Boy's Toys, which closed up in Jan 1997. A dress shop replaced the Hobby Shop. The dress shop then burned in 1998 and was remodeled but is currently vacant. The tavern to the west was torn down after the fire. It is just a vacant lot now. The tavern was the Midway, then the Office, and then finally Avis before burning down in 1998

HERMAN'S DRUG STORES Left:Herman's Drug Store, 7th & Edmond - Out of business Right: Herman's Drug Store, 6th & Angelique - Out of business

CARBRY BUILDING - 7th & EDMOND Carbry Building, built in 1890, located on northwest corner of Edmond at 7th St, fell victim to fire. Maid-rite was located on the corner to the right side of this building. This entire side of the block is now a vacant lot

EDMOND Between 7th & 8th

Dave Sietzen's father took this photo from one of the upper floors of the main US POST OFFICE which is located at 8th & Edmond. It's an overview shot of the Missouri Theater and other buildings along the north side of the street. The original Greyhound Bus Depot can be seen in the bottom left corner. House of Wheels and Toys hobby shop can be seen between two larger buildings at the far left side. A car is parked in front of HW&T
2nd photo is a close up of the Missouri Theater
Photo donated by Dave Sietzen

8th & EDMOND

PHOTO #1 - The Greyhound Bus depot used to be here on southwest corner of 8th & Edmond. Howard Sisson, Farm & Home Savings once occupied the building. The depot was torn down and Hall Abstract replaced it with this structure.
I am currently looking for a photo of the old Greyhound Bus Depot
PHOTO #2 - Northeast corner of 8th & Edmond. The Jones Pharmacy used to be here. They made awesome "SUICIDES"! Everyone knows what a "Suicide" drink was.
Currently the "ENTIRE" block belongs to St. Joseph News Press
PHOTO #3 - This is the Main Post Office, built in the early 50's, it is located on the SE corner of 8th & Edmond
PHOTO #4 - Looking north east from 8th & Edmond. This once was the home of a drug store and Hirsches (that I know of)

NEWS-PRESS/GAZETTE - 9th & EDMOND Photo of the News-Press/Gazette building taken in the 1920's. The building is located on the northwest corner of 9th & Edmond. The St Joseph News-Press bought out the Gazette, later changing the name to News-Press only

THOMPSON,BRUUM & KNEPPER CLINIC - 9th & EDMOND Northeast corner of 9th & Edmond Currently occupied by Cook Computers

6th STREET - BETWEEN CHARLES & SYLVANIE Cosmopolitan Shoe Repair Nick K Shoras Old Man Jackson Furniture Store 209 -11 S. 6th Louis and Betty Jackson Star Furniture 213 S. 6 Saul Manski Photo donated by Dave Sietzen

ST JOSEPH TRANSFER COMPANY - 3rd & CHARLES

St Joseph Transfer Company - East side of 3rd & Charles. The words Pony Express are barely visible at top left of lettering
I think this has recently been made into a small city park

Clayton Paper Company, West side of 3rd & Charles. One of St Joseph's most beautiful buildings. Observe the window panes & sculpturing. Clayton Paper also moved recently to the business park. Downtown Furniture Emporium now resides in the building