This is an ongoing project. I am trying to both identify sources and any location where they are available for consultation, and I'm trying to collect them into my own library for research purposes. I invited your participation and would appreciate knowing of any sources not listed here, and the availablity of any which I do not have in my own library, or the location of any locations where these materials may be seen or used. You may call me at home at 314-647-6704, or just e-mail me at:
Materials are in the Dogtown Historical Archives in the original published version or its equivalent.
This important article recoreds the historic first train to Cheltenham when came on December 9, 1852
An account from the Missouri Republican, Oct. 1, 1864, or the September 29, 1864 raid on the Cheltenham Post Office of August Muegge.
An account from the Missouri Republican, Aug. 14, 1889
This short newspaper piece tells the story of the accidental scalding and death of a Dogtown boy in 1898. After the story is a short piece on the Hart family.
The story of some young Dogtown boys playing a dangerous practical joke on Manchester Ave. with streetcar drivers
A phenomenal collection of parish newsletters containing a huge amount of data on hundreds of parishioners. The main purpose of Let's Go was to raise money for the building of the new (present) St. James Church, and as a platform for Father O'Connor's parish work. Many others contributed. The books are filled with ads from businesses in the neighborhood and some photos. Re-estate ads for purchase and rental give a record of the development of housing and prices in this period. The astonishing dropping of prices in the early depression is quite something to see documents in ads. Special thanks to Joe Boman for this item.
This wonderful book is just filled with great information and is written with style and grace. I had the privilege to know P.J. quite well and loved him dearly as did virtually the whole neighborhood, Catholic and non-Catholic alike. Special thanks to John Corbett for this item.
This short newspaper piece is only marginally related to Dogtown. The main source of information is William Jones who resided at 1209 Childress was part of the team that helped bury it. He was working with city officials to help show them where this was in the park. There is a photo of Jones. Special thanks to Maureen Brady for this item. Note from 2013 -- For some reason the article is no where to be found, but I do know it's in the 1943 Post newspaper which I've cited.
These short newsletters (each 4 pages or fewer) were written about and for the Dogtown service men fighting in World War II. Each one is filled with news of awards, achievements, and even the death and wounding of Dogtown men. It includes features on various families of the neighborhood. (Scroll down to bottom of that page)
This unsigned newspaper piece from the St. Louis Catholic paper tells the story of the Father O'Connor's funeral service.
Span employee Dennis Brady recalls seeing everything from Hoodoo woman to suicide
Photo story on the second grade at Dewey, class of 1960, just as school is about to close for the summer.
Story of Dogtown resident's 40 years working with the elephants at the St. Louis Zoo
An excellent short history of the 19th century of Cheltenham
Interesting historical article centering on lots of theories of how Dogtown got it's name. The page included several ads of businesses in the area and I've included those ads.
A guide which has featured entries on McDermotts and O'Shea's. From 1980.
I do have a 1973 version of this paper (and it is on my web site in the history section), which seems to have the entire text of the Oakland section. It is also on the Oakland link, see my list of links. It is a quite useful and accurate short history.
Story about the coming of the Marketplace Branch of the St. Louis Public Library
Pretty basic stuff.
Neighborhood magazine. Features individual, ads for local businesses and more.
This booklet was published for the 125th anniversary of St. James Church. It contains great photographs of former pastors of St. James as well as a history of the church and lists of priests and nuns who have come from this parish. This is not on-line yet, but a copy is in the Dogtown Historical Society archives.
This is a four part article published on 4 different days. It is no more than reports of neighborhood residents' memories or views of the name, but it makes interesting reading.
St. James the Greater Parish - 125 years of service to God and His people.
Interesting article about the first home in the region, built in 1832, though often modified since. It stood until 1959 when it was destroyed by a tornado. Useful historical information in this article. I have only a xerox copy and would love a nicer copy + a digital copy of the 1913 photo of the Gratiot house. Where is the photo?
Brief report about house on Billon Ave. being used in film White Palace. What's interesting is the clear reference of a disagreement between the resident and the Clayton-Tamm Association. I have xerox copy only. This is not yet on-line.
The article concerns the name of Dogtown and surveys peoples' feelings about it. The strongest theme is to suggest a complete ignorance of many people about the facts of this area's past. I have only a xerox copy of this article. This item is in the archives, but not yet on-line.
Letter to the editor protesting the formation of neighborhood associations INSIDE Dogtown and thus break neighborhood unity.
Alas, I must report that is not a well-written novel and didn't seem to me to speak to the Dogtown I knew growing up. There is a copy of this novel in the DHS archives, but not on-line.
Story of the volunteer work of 83 year-old Frank Strathman.
Simply an indispensible tool. This makes using old maps more possible. Many streets of early Dogtown/Cheltenham have changed names. Additionally one gets leads toward whom these streets are named after. There is a copy of this book in the DHS archives, but the book itself is not on-line.
Interview with and about the author of PRINCE OF DOGTOWN. There is no analysis of the book, but more an announcement of it and a bit about the author.
Article analyzing Dogtown and the crime in the area after the murders from Chuy's on the previous Friday.
The article argues that the story of dogs from Dogtown being eaten by Igorots is simply false.
This article has significant historical material tracing Cheltenham from its earliest days until 1998. There are a few minor inaccuracies in the history, but mainly it is quite useful.
Story on the closing of Gene Meyers' pharmacy
Some interesting mention of the horse race track on Bill Sublette's property in the Cheltenham area on Manchester Road in the 1840s
Discussion of land-fill used at the old Arena site and questions about the safety of this land-fill.
A look at community pride and continuity in Cheltenham.
Article lists a few candidates and evades the issue.
Neighborhood flap over the attempt of two women to open a wine bar at the corner of Clayton and Graham and Joe Staebell leading the opposition.
Robinson has spent a significant amount of time in Dogtown talking with people, sitting at Pat's Bar and Grill and attending meetings of The Dogtown Historical Society in its earliest months.
Early interview with Bob Corbett, before the Dogtown Historical Society was formed. There are a few claims of "history" in the article that I would certainly re-do at this later date.
Very early article on the life and formation of the Dogtown Historical Society. A couple of miscommunications between interviewee and interviewer
Very favorable restaurant review.
A real-estate article on new housing in Dogtown
Liquor license hearing raises questions about reliability of owners' statement and past records in running a tavern and personal life.
Article concerning building of new buildings on Garner Ave. and general real estate situation in Dogtown.
Restaurant review of Spaghetteria Mama Mia
A history of the architectural career of William B. Ittner, especially in building St. Louis Schools. Dewey School is not mentioned, however, that is one of the schools which he designed and built.
An overview of the ideas and activities of Etienne Cabet's work which left to the Cheltenham utopian community in the 1860s.
Story of Mrs. Durban's work in her retirement home with the dying.
Listing of three "legends" concerning the 1904 World's Fair. One of those is the legend that the Iggorots used to steal dogs in the area and that's how Dogtown got it's name.
This is a story about the major renovation of Forest Park in the past couple years.
Quite positive review of Cairdeas Coffee House. Strong enough to likely attract some visitors to try it out.
8th Missouri relives Civil War Scrap at Manchester and Dale
Story and photo of Nick Mucci, premer sax and clarinet player of Dogtown.
Story and photo of Nick Mucci, premer sax and clarinet player of Dogtown. Almost a full repeat of Treacy other article on Nick Mucci
A rather silly article about a drinking game, Beer Pong. However, the opening section is set at Pat's Bar and Grill, and thus of Dogtown interest. Caution: Some may find some offensive language in the article in the non-Dogtown sections.
Bob Corbett and two other St. Louisans from other neighborhoods are interviewed about the role of the brick industry in their areas.
Bob Corbett and report Shawn Clubb walk in Forest Park while Clubb interviews Corbett on his life views and past.
Bob Corbett reports on the progress of the Dogtown Historical Society project of placing benches and talks of the new bench honoring Dogtown members of The St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame.
Tom Haller and Mike Gittins report on research into the name "Dogtown," a name rooted in clay miners of the area.
John and Bob Corbett interviewed about ghost sign restoration project at 6771 Wise Ave.
Bill and Jerry Miller work to provide century home plaques for 100-year-old homes for the Dogtown Historical Society.
Bakery finds success with second location.
This article includes a useful timeline of the establishment of this railroad that ran from Manchester to the World's Fair grounds and ran along Louisville AVe.
An informative booklet of 8 pages. It was prepared by KMOX, Mercantile Bank and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, all in conjunction with the Missouri Historical Society. It contains a great deal of interesting and useful information, but only in short paragraph form. This is not yet on the web page, but is in the archives.
For more details of the book and order information See Sandra M. Brunsmann's home page. There is a copy of this book in the DHS archives, but not yet on-line.
Short nostalgic story that begins at the beginning and highlights the delights of the Highlands in its last years.
Story about jazz in St. Louis and photo of Dogtown musician, Nick Mucci.
Decent human interest slant on neighborhood. In more depth than most such efforts.
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