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 Smith-Barr Memorial Hospital was completed in March of 1928 and named after its primary benefactors. It was the first hospital for this rural area. Before this hospital was constructed, local practitioners would rent out small offices to serve as emergency rooms or they would visit patients at their homes. It was constructed by George D. Barnett, a prominent Saint Louis architect and it is an example of Georgian Revival architecture with Beaux Arts details.
In 1972 a new, larger hospital was built next door. In 1975, Smith-Barr Memorial was converted into a nursing home and name changed to S-B Manor. It served in that capacity until 2003. It appears that it was abandoned sometime around 2006.
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
Smith Barr Memorial Hospital by sublunar
A dead raccoon near the door here lent the smell of death to the place. As the smell got stronger, I wondered what, or who, it was that had died.
It should be noted that I was alone in my explorations of this hospital and I didn't notice this while I was inside. But when I got home and started going through my photos, I found the following.. what appears to be bloody footprints coming from the elevator and going down the hallway..
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.