St. Louis Lost: Uncovering the City's Architectural Treasures

From the homes of the founders of St. Louis to a list of endangered structures that are fresh in today's news -- such as Cupples Station and the Arena -- St. Louis Lost author Mary Bartley tells an entertaining and instructive tale of St. Louis landmarks forever lost to the wrecking ball. The book visits many parts of the metropolitan area, from south St. Louis to the Central West End, to north St. Louis city and county. Based on a series of columns first published in the West End Word newspaper, St. Louis Lost recounts the stories of many lost buildings, their inhabitants and their times. The book begins with the city's early development along the Mississippi River. As the city grew rapidly in the 1800s, buildings rose and fell, and the book traces the past of many downtown landmarks. The movement of the city's private places steadily west from downtown is described, including the grand mansions and opulent lifestyles of the city's wealthy. Many of the city's past educational and religious structures are included, as are Sportsman's Park and the narrow gauge railroad in north St. Louis county. Woven into the architectural detail is the story of the people behind the walls, the lives of some of St. Louis' most prominent -- and most infamous -- citizens. Finally, the book reminds us that today's leaders, and those who follow, need to know and appreciate the history of their cities and their historic buildings as they plan the future of 21st-century metropolitan areas.