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Tuesday, May 20, 2014

The convent was built in the 1930s and at its peak there were 90 nuns living here simultaneously. It closed recently and is currently for sale.

The Convent © 2014 sublunar

The Convent © 2014 sublunar

The Convent © 2014 sublunar

The Convent © 2014 sublunar

The Convent © 2014 sublunar

The Convent © 2014 sublunar

The Convent © 2014 sublunar

The Convent © 2014 sublunar

The Convent © 2014 sublunar

The Convent © 2014 sublunar

The Convent © 2014 sublunar

The Convent © 2014 sublunar

The Convent © 2014 sublunar

The Convent © 2014 sublunar

The Convent © 2014 sublunar

The Convent © 2014 sublunar

The Convent © 2014 sublunar

The Convent © 2014 sublunar

The Convent © 2014 sublunar

The Convent © 2014 sublunar

The Convent © 2014 sublunar

Monday, May 19, 2014

Normandie Hall was constructed in the 1920's as a convent for the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.

UMSL wants it demolished.

Normandie Hall Saint Louis © 2014 sublunar

Normandie Hall Saint Louis © 2014 sublunar

Normandie Hall Saint Louis © 2014 sublunar

Normandie Hall Saint Louis © 2014 sublunar

Normandie Hall Saint Louis © 2014 sublunar

Normandie Hall Saint Louis © 2014 sublunar

Normandie Hall Saint Louis © 2014 sublunar

Normandie Hall Saint Louis © 2014 sublunar

Normandie Hall Saint Louis © 2014 sublunar

Normandie Hall Saint Louis © 2014 sublunar

Normandie Hall Saint Louis © 2014 sublunar

Normandie Hall Saint Louis © 2014 sublunar

Normandie Hall Saint Louis © 2014 sublunar

Normandie Hall Saint Louis © 2014 sublunar

Normandie Hall Saint Louis © 2014 sublunar

Sunday, May 18, 2014

"The Goldenrod Showboat was built in 1909 by the Pope Dock Company of Parkersburg West Virginia at a cost of $75,000. 200 feet long and 45 feet wide with an auditorium of 162 feet long, it had a seating capacity of 1,400."

"In 1910, 22 showboats visited 15 states as part of their regular route along the Mississippi. By 1938, only four remained in operation and by 1943 the Goldenrod was the last of its kind still touring."

"Goldenrod was the last showboat operational on the Mississippi. Under Capt Bill Menke, she was moored at the Saint Louis riverfront in 1937. In 1947, the original wooden hull was placed into a steel barge by the Saint Louis Shipbuilding & Steel company. By 1950, she had been partially sunk and salvaged twice."

"On June 1, 1962, a disastrous fire all but destroyed the superstructure of the autitorium and caused severe damage to the entire structure. The Goldenrod was then purchased by a group of Saint Louis businessmen and was subsequently restored to her original glory. Many of the new furnishings came from old Saint Louis mansions that were being demolished. When the $300,000 renovation was completed, Goldenrod had her Grand Re-Opening in May, 1965. In 1967, she was registered as a National Historic Landmark."

"Eventually, the city of Saint Charles purchased the Goldenrod and she was subsequently moved there. In 2001, she was run aground and closed due to repairs. She was eventually moved to Kampsville, Illinois and was eventually sold for $5,000. After changing hands several times through various circumstances, she was ultimately destroyed by issues related to mooring and finally the destructive fire which brought about her demise."

Quoted (with some paraphrasing) from the Wikipedia article.

I myself recall seeing at least one play on the Goldenrod as a child, specifically "A Christmas Carol". RIP, Goldenrod.

Goldenrod Showboat © 2014 sublunar

Goldenrod Showboat © 2014 sublunar

Goldenrod Showboat © 2014 sublunar

Goldenrod Showboat © 2014 sublunar

Goldenrod Showboat © 2014 sublunar

Goldenrod Showboat © 2014 sublunar

Goldenrod Showboat © 2014 sublunar

Goldenrod Showboat © 2014 sublunar

Goldenrod Showboat © 2014 sublunar

Goldenrod Showboat © 2014 sublunar

Goldenrod Showboat © 2014 sublunar

Goldenrod Showboat © 2014 sublunar

Goldenrod Showboat © 2014 sublunar

Goldenrod Showboat © 2014 sublunar

Goldenrod Showboat © 2014 sublunar

Goldenrod Showboat © 2014 sublunar

Goldenrod Showboat © 2014 sublunar

Goldenrod Showboat © 2014 sublunar

Goldenrod Showboat © 2014 sublunar

Goldenrod Showboat © 2014 sublunar

Goldenrod Showboat © 2014 sublunar