Sunday, December 7, 1-3 p.m., Wanda Kennedy Kuntz is holding a book release and signing party at The Book House in Maplewood (7352 Manchester Road). Wanda has published a historical novel about her parents’ store, Kennedy Music, An Historical Novel based on the Kennedy Family, Maplewood MO.
She is offering a free signed copy of her book to the first person to answer one of these questions about Maplewood’s past.
To receive the book you need to include your name, and attend the book signing party on Dec. 7 at The Book House. Only one book per person.
Here’s the questions – the answer is added if a question has been correctly answered. Let someone else have a turn if your name is below with a question.
- What was the name of the nice ‘date’ restaurant centrally located on Manchester in Maplewood at least by the mid 1940’s and into the late 1960’s? Exactly where was it located? Manchester and Southwest –
- How many different Maplewood locations were a home to Kennedy Music school and store, over its 45 years? Where were these locations? Manchester and oak view terr.; Manchester by the loop; Manchester west of Sutton; Manchester by EJ’ drug store and last where I believe may have Herman’s Toggery location or by it. Donna Ray Bumeter (she got 4 out of 5)
- What additional overpass existed to connect Maplewood to the Lindenwood neighborhood in south St. Louis, from 1925 until 1964? The Fyler Avenue bridge, Ray Heinsohn
- What was the name of the county newspaper which displayed many local Maplewood ads, with offices on Sutton Avenue? The St. Louis County Observer, Pat Wilken Maloney
- When did Maplewood High School switch to MRH High School, and why? 1951, Cara Hagelstein
- What was the color of the county busses, and of the city busses, many of which did a daily turnaround at the City Limits Loop?
- What was the name of Interstate 40/64 back in the day? The Express Highway, Dorothy Autry
- Which downtown Maplewood business was a popular place to play pinball way back in 1965? Katz Drug Store, Donna Ray Bumeter
- In 1966 where was a great place to buy cheesecake in Maplewood? Sutton Bakery, Dennis
- In the 1940’s and 50’s Maplewood was home to dozens of hat, shoe, dress and men’s clothing stores. Name one of each. Dreamland Shoes, Deb Walters
- Which residential street is now missing in downtown Maplewood, since the early 1970’s? Arthur, Donna Ray Bumeter
- Where was the Maplewood Public Library located in 1953? Manchester at Big Bend (near where White Castle is now) Donna Ray Bumeter
- What famous vocalist came to Kennedy Music, to sign a few of her recent records and to have publicity photos taken with the Maplewood Kennedy family? Rosemary Clooney, Dorothy (Strange) Kopp
Put your answer in the ‘Leave a Reply’ of this article, below, with your name to get your free copy of Kennedy Music at the book signing.
Remember, no matter how many questions you answered correctly, you receive ONE free book. The free book will be signed and available for pickup at The Book House December 7. The last remaining questions to be answered:
- (question 1) the NAME of the fancy, ‘date’ restaurant at Manchester and Southwest (and it’s not McCoys)
- (question 2) address of the 5th location of the music store (OR, what business exists in that location now)
- (question 6) there were TWO colors on the busses circling the Maplewood Loop. Name the two colors for the City and County busses, and you win a book
- (question 6) there were TWO colors on the busses circling the Maplewood Loop. Name the two colors for the City and County busses, and you win a book
- (question 10) the first person to name THREE old Maplewood businesses (hat, shoe and dress,) wins a book!
For those of you who remember Kennedy Music, there will be four people present at the signing who worked at the music store — we would love to visit with each of you! ~ Wanda Kennedy Kuntz
I remember a bar called Lively’s, across from Katz.
County busses were green and white and city busses were red and cream colored.
Sorry, I’m not able to attend the book signing and not looking to win a book, but think I may have the answer to question 10.
10) The stores I remember are Molly’s Hat Shop, Carl’s Shoes, Dreamland Shoe, Red Goose Shoes, Barbi-Fran, Kay’s, Arthur’s, Mode O’ Day and the Bridal Shop. There was another shoe store next to Barbi-Fran’s but I don’t remember the name; I think they sold Florsheim shoes..
Good luck on the book,
Sue
My Dad always told me that when 64/40 was fist built the unoffcial name was Barney Dickmans roller coaster after the Mayor of St. Lous
I found two stores that focused on women’s wear in Maplewood in the 40’s. Martyn’s at 7353 Manchester, and Kay’s Women’s Wear at 7327 Manchester.
Cara, there was another women’s dress shop, and the name is still visible in front of the door in downtown Maplewood….I’m sending you all on a treasure hunt to find it….
Herman’s Toggery for mens clothing.
County busses green, city busses red
Okay — I know there are people out there who remember the names of some of the shops in old Maplewood, the colors of the city and county busses, and the name of the nice restaurant from long ago at Manchester and Southwest….let’s keep those answers comin’!
Harpers was one of the nicest women’s clothing stores in Maplewood. It was located (I think) next to or close to Maplewood Bank. Also, there was a jewelry store in that area that went out of business about 1970. The name doesn’t come to mind right now, but I still wear a ring today that I bought there. If I think of the name I will post it. Maybe someone else will come up with it.
Dorothy, was the jewelry store you are referring to Atlas jewelers?
Yes. that was it. Thanks for jogging my memory…
Herman’s Toggery was a nice men’s clothing store.
The jewelry store was either Atlas Jewelry or Hart Jewelry
It was definitely Atlas Jewelry. Hart Jewelry was across the street down a little way. Thanks for jogging my memory!
#6. The buses were light blue. (?) Margaret Keller
Regarding the Express Highway…In the 1940’s the highway was blocked off so the Soap Box Derby could be held each year. I don’t remember how long that went on, but for several years. It was a big deal in those days to watch the Derby and see who was going to make it to the Nationals in Akron, Ohio.
Wow, that’s amazing, Dorothy. Do you remember where it was blocked off?
Yes, it was blocked off where it began at Clayton and McCausland/Lindell. No one could use the highway during the Derby. People would line up along the outside of the highway to watch.I always looked forward to it, because most of the time I knew some of the boys in it.
#10…Dreamland Shoes
Dreamland Shoes is correct, Deb Walters! Wanda says, “I’ll bet she can guess the name of the dress shop that can still be seen at the entrance of a particular building…”
In reference again to #5, although I found the notation that “officially” the school district was renamed Maplewood-Richmond Heights in 1951, the high school was referred to as Maplewood-Richmond Heights beginning in the late 30’s. I found a 1936 yearbook that referred to the high School as Maplewood High School, and the 1939 yearbook referred to the high school as Maplewood-Richmond Heights High School. I don”t have access to a 1937 or 1938 yearbook to see for sure when that did indeed change.
Cara – Wanda says you certainly deserve a copy of her book. Thanks!
Hi, Cara. I have a question for you and anyone else who would like to chime in. Does anyone know why during the years 1950 through 1952 there were no telephone directories for the St. Louis area? During my extensive research of Maplewood history, I went to many libraries, and when I searched for business and residential addresses I couldn’t find those particular directories anywhere. The librarians said they do not exist, but they weren’t sure why.
You won’t believe this, but I found a 1952 St Louis Telephone Directory on Craigslist. I don’t know if it is still for sale, but I’ll provide an address for the bookstore the ad has listed.
When I was in college I wrote a paper about “The Maplewood I Missed”. I combed through many phone books at the St Louis County Library at that time, but I focused more on the 60’s and 70’s. I learned so much about Maplewood when I did that.
Hometown Books
107 E. 5th St.
Eureka MO 63025
Open 10-6, Seven days a week
Maplewood is a county, rather than the city, and those books were released separately. People used to have lots of phone books I suppose. I did find city telephone books for the years that correlated with what I was researching in Maplewood, but the Maplewood info was all in the county series of books. Thanks for the information on the book store — I’ll have to check that one out.
Hi Doug. It’s Margaret from watercolor class. This history info is great!!
#6 red and white?/
Deb – The red and white buses are city or county?
#13 Barbra Streisand??
Deb – think a little earlier. Here’s a hint, she’s related to a famous actor who shot some scenes in Maplewood a few years ago.
Rosemary Clooney?
Rosemary Clooney is it, Dorothy!
Maybe it didn’t become MRH officially until 1951, I don’t know, but it was called that way before that year. I have pictures of my brother and husband in letter sweaters in the 1940’s
with MRH on them.
Dorothy – you make a good case for pre-1951 too. You also get a free copy.
#1 the name of the diner was McCoys just east of Manchester and Bellvue.
Deb – That’s not the restaurant Wanda is looking for.
How bout Chopsticks house it was a chines restaurant
5. The name of the school district was changed to Maplewood-Richmond Heights in 1951. This was before my time, so I can only assume the reason to be a more accurate description of the school district’s boundaries.
I graduated from MRH in 1950 and it was called MRH or Maplewood-Richmond Heights as long as I can remember. It had to be before 1951.
Dorothy – You’re a little off, on the date Maplewood HS became MRH.
Hi, Dorothy. I have a question for you and for Cara, and anyone else who would like to chime in. Does anyone know why during the years 1950 through 1952 there were no telephone directories for the St. Louis area? During my extensive research of Maplewood history, I went to many libraries, and when I searched for business and residential addresses I couldn’t find those particular directories anywhere. The librarians said they do not exist, but they weren’t sure why.
I didn’t even realize that there weren’t any made during that time. Sorry I can’t help answer that question. I would like to know the answer myself.
Cara – You are correct! Maplewood became MRH in 1951.
The bridge was actually in the St. Louis city limits – The Fyler Bus Bridge
You are correct, Ray Heinsohn! It was the Fyler Bridge.
No. 7 I believe was just called THE EXPRESS HIGHWAY..
Dorothy Autry – Come on down! You are correct – 64/40 was known as The Express Highway.
Wasn’t highway 40 called the Daniel Boone Expressway?
Lisa – that’s not the answer we’re looking for on that one (what 64/40 was known as).
Pat – We’ll give you The Observer (The St. Louis County Observer). Not quite there on the highway, according to Wanda.
# 4, I believe is The Observer and #7 was The Red Feather Expressway.
9 Sutton bakery
Donna Ray Bumeter
Great questions!!!! I’m guessing at these …
1. Tony’s @ Manchester and Southwest
2. 5- Manchester and oak view terr.; Manchester by the loop; Manchester west of Sutton; Manchester by EJ’ drug store and last where I believe may have Herman’s Toggery location or by it.
4. Arsenal Street
8. Katz drug store
9. Woolworth’s
11. Arthur Ave
12. Manchester and Big Bend-where White Castle stands now…
Best of luck with your book!! I can’t wait to read it. I hope to fight the crowds at your signing!
Donna – Wanda says you have the location of the nice restaurant correct, but not the name – sorry!
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