Doug Houser

Retired autoworker. Maplewood resident since 1975. Advocate of the Arts and Historic Preservation.

Maplewood History: My Own Family Story – Part Two

Ora Marguerite Layman and Lowell Hobart Jackson, my maternal grandparents If you missed the first post of my historic family photos you can find it...

Maplewood History: My Own Family Story – The Jacksons – Part One

I began putting historic photographs and documents concerning Maplewood online around 2010. ‘Til now the focus has been on families that once lived in...

Maplewood History: Please Vote Yes On Proposition L For Our Library Tomorrow!

Well, if you live in Maplewood, that is. Our historic Maplewood Pool/Library building is in need of some attention. It won’t take a lot...

Maplewood History: Two Sarah Harrisons, Three Charles Humphreys and Two William Holmes

Now this is confusing so you’ll have to pay attention. I’m going to repeat some of the material that I published not too long...

Maplewood History: Vote Yes On Proposition L For The Library

Dear Readers, Recently, I received this letter from the folks that are working to improve our library. The original Maplewood Pool building, now home...

Maplewood History: The Miraculous Transformation of 2628 Big Bend

In the beginning... This loading dock was on the Big Bend side. This attractive addition was on the south end. As the sign indicates, the building...

Maplewood History: Charlie Notter and Corkball

Ernie B------t was one of the first fellows that I got to know when I began working at the Chrysler truck plant in Fenton...

Maplewood History: Just What Exactly Was The Maplewood Departmental School?

This small booklet was among the many interesting objects, images and documents that Laura Varilek was kind enough to share with us. I don’t...

Maplewood History: A Rare Image of an Early Kroger Super Market

Another very rare bit of Maplewoodiana has come to light. Attached to an email from my former neighbor, Bill Smothers, was this wonderful image...

Maplewood History: Buy A Piece Of Your Own At The Chamber Auction

Today is the day of the annual auction to support our Chamber of Commerce. Instead of the usual fall date, this year the nice...

Maplewood History: First There Were Horses – A Repost

Before there were cars, that is. I had been thinking about running this post again for quite a while. I had forgotten that there...

Maplewood History: The Unnecessary Destruction of the Smokestack at Concordia Seminary

Relax. This didn’t just happen. It happened quite a while ago and I’m just now writing about it. This is not Maplewood history. I’m...

Maplewood History: A Thatched Roof On Big Bend

Quite a while ago, ( I have forgotten the year), a thatched roof was added to a fairly plain commercial building on Big Bend...

Maplewood History: A Hunk, A Hunk of Burning…Hobby? Revisited

January is already two thirds over. I have a couple of ideas for upcoming blog posts but the circumstances of everyday living keep getting...

- A word from our sponsors -

HomeAuthorsPosts by Doug Houser

Doug Houser

Follow us