THE ARCHITECTURE WHICH DEFINES OUR LANDSCAPE IS A TANGIBLE PART OF OUR COLLECTIVE HISTORY. WHEN HISTORIC STRUCTURES ARE DEMOLISHED, A PART OF OURSELVES IS RELEGATED TO MEMORY AND CONDEMNED TO BE FORGOTTEN. IN THE REDISCOVERY OF OUR ABANDONED, OFF-LIMITS, OR OTHERWISE HIDDEN ENVIRONMENTS, I DOCUMENT THEIR EXISTENCE AS WELL AS OUR OWN THROUGH THE PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE ADVENTURES PRESENTED HERE
The Alexa Chemical building was constructed in 1896 by the Chemical Building Company as new facilities for the Chemical national bank, although it was never actually used in that capacity. A few notable Saint Louis business occupied space here over the years including a school for secretaries and even the legendary local cafeteria called Miss Hullings, which opened its first location here.
The building is mostly vacant now and has been for a long time.
Source: National Records Historic Nomination Form.
Begin Historic Photos (Courtesy Missouri Historical Society)
Chemical Building historic photo courtesy Missouri Historical Society
Chemical Building historic photo courtesy Missouri Historical Society
Chemical Building historic photo courtesy Missouri Historical Society
Chemical Building historic photo courtesy Missouri Historical Society
Chemical Building historic photo courtesy Missouri Historical Society
Chemical Building historic photo courtesy Missouri Historical Society
End Historic Photos
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
Alexa Chemical Building STL by sublunar
There was a disgusting smelling restaurant connected on the ground floor
This blog is dedicated to the pursuit of adventure and features urban exploration in Saint Louis, Missouri and beyond.
1. With the exception of historical photos, all of the photographs here are copyrighted and not to be used for any purpose without my consent. The historical imagery is courtesy of the Historical Society or as otherwise noted.
2. "Don't try this at home." I absolutely will not be held responsible for anyone else's stupidity. I do not recommend anyone try visiting any of these locations. Sometimes I am granted access to the things you see here and attempting to follow in my footsteps may get you arrested, hurt or killed.
3. I do not condone or tolerate: vandalism, theft, littering or any other disrespectful activity in any of these locations. I have the utmost respect for the history of these locations and for the history of my city, Saint Louis. "Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints."
4. Do not ask me for (or post) specific location information. If identifying information is not provided in the post, there's usually a good reason for that. Any information will be provided either at the time of posting, or updated years later, at my discretion.
5. Any reference to "I/me, we/us" anywhere on this blog is probably just a metaphor. Metaphors are oten employed to simplify complex technical details when storytelling. As such, they can never be considered as admission, nor proof, of guilt; They do not provide sufficient evidence as to who (or what) actually took any of the photos shown here. I/we may or may not actually exist.