historic preservation
In June of 1957, the St. Louis County Historic Buildings Commission was established. It is made up of eight private citizens appointed by the county supervisors to act as an advisory group to the County Park Department on historical sites. This commission was formed in response to the expanding metropolitan area, since the county was given a military reservation to be used as a historical park but the history was not interpreted to visitors. The focus of this group became to preserve buildings, provide recreational land, and not be negligent of a site’s history.
A second group formed for the preservation and study of historic sites was the Landmarks of St. Louis, Incorporated. When discussions of a vast highway system and land clearance projects arose, there was concern for historic landmarks that provided a visual meaning for St. Louis. It was evident that many governmental groups were ignorant of the location or historical value of many of the buildings. Landmarks began educational and informational programs for everyone to be aware of the significance of the historical areas of the city.
A second group formed for the preservation and study of historic sites was the Landmarks of St. Louis, Incorporated. When discussions of a vast highway system and land clearance projects arose, there was concern for historic landmarks that provided a visual meaning for St. Louis. It was evident that many governmental groups were ignorant of the location or historical value of many of the buildings. Landmarks began educational and informational programs for everyone to be aware of the significance of the historical areas of the city.
Whenever there are plans for construction, the process is a cooperation between planners and preservationists. Landmarks is asked to survey an area for sites that should be preserved and then the planners are careful to avoid that area in their planning of intersections, streets, etc. All groups must work together so that preservation can be effective although this may not always be possible in circumstances that inevitably lead to a site's demolishing or other times there is a possibility for renewal; where a building serves some other purpose than its original. [1]
[1] Stewart, Robert G. “Urban Renewal and Historic Preservation In St. Louis, Missouri,” History News, Vol. 16, No. 5 (MARCH, 1961), pp. 66-67.
[2] Old Post Office - City Landmark #8. Digital Image. Bing.com. Web. 20 Aug 2014.
[3] Lippman, Rachel. "What The Rubble Of Cupples 7 Can Show St. Louis About Historic Preservation." Digital Image. St. Louis Public Radio. N.p., 16 Sept. 2013. Web. 20 Aug. 2014.
[2] Old Post Office - City Landmark #8. Digital Image. Bing.com. Web. 20 Aug 2014.
[3] Lippman, Rachel. "What The Rubble Of Cupples 7 Can Show St. Louis About Historic Preservation." Digital Image. St. Louis Public Radio. N.p., 16 Sept. 2013. Web. 20 Aug. 2014.