In Maplewood, we youngsters from Lyndover Elementary School once monthly took our tour on our “Dinky” streetcar. Where Lindbergh now meets Big Bend were streetcar tracks and a trolley wire over Big Bend. Big trucks did not drive on Big Bend.
Our yellow “Dinky” streetcar stopped for us on the east side of Big Bend and our conductor manually took the fare box from the front to the back pole. He then engaged the rear trolley wire and tied down the front trolley wire. He enjoyed us showing up on Saturdays because we flipped all the seat backs so they faced the reverse direction. Â We put our nickel in the fare box and enjoyed the ride to Creve Coeur Park. Our “Dinky” streetcar lasted through the 1920’s and the 1930’s. Â The tracks now are a beautiful parkway stretching on Lindbergh from Big Bend to Bredell. The parkway that is now Lindbergh is one of the loveliest streets in Richmond Heights. My wife takes Lindbergh in the mornings to Claytonia to avoid the Big Bend traffic jam each day.
Creve Coeur Park was great. It was an afternoon of playing catch and dreaming of riding the many sail boats we watched. Treats were only a nickel but we sometimes needed to share because the “Dinky” would require our “other” nickel to get us back to Maplewood and Richmond Heights. We were sad the day they took down the trolley wire over Big Bend and ended our “Dinky” Saturdays.
My wife and I, on our honeymoon in New Orleans, had the opportunity to examine the “Streetcar Named Desire” and it was a duplicate of our “Dinky” from the 1930’s.
We Lyndover Elementary School kids really missed our Saturdays on our “Dinky” to Creve Coeur Park but we treasured the memories of that only street car with two trolleys and a fare box that was carried from front to back.
Billy Jones
Thanks once again to Billy for providing us with another of his always fascinating memories. Â More recollections of Billy’s can be found at the following links. DH
While unrelated to the streetcar article, I was wondering if there is any photos of the Woolworth or JJ Newberry that occupied the still standing south side of Maplewood? My parents shopped at both, and as kids in the 60’s and 70’s, we went there often. Anyway, there’s lots of photos of old Maplewood, but I have yet to see some that include those 2 stores. Doug?
My mom grew up in Brentwood and the Dinky ran in front of her house on Dorothy. There is a greenway there now I believe. She talks of taking the streetcar into Maplewood to shop as a young woman. I wish I had pictures of it, I should look through those boxes of photos….
Please do look through those boxes, Cathy. I had heard of the Richmond Heights Dinky but I haven’t seen a photo of it. Thank you for your recollection.
When you look at how well preserved and interesting the south side of the 7300 block of Manchester has become, it really makes you regret that the north side of the street was not given the chance to evolve before it was razed in the name of progress.
I agree, Ralf. The south side of the block is interesting and well preserved in spite of what happened on the north side. Just imagine if those original buildings were still there. Can’t go backwards, I guess. We can just try not to make any more stupid mistakes. Have I mentioned to you the spectacular cabinetry of the Harper’s Pharmacy?
The two pictures from Sutton and Manchester looking east are interesting in regards to the store signs. In the 1940s picture, you can see a sign for LEES about a 1/3 of the way down the block. In the 1950s picture, the LEES sign has moved to the south side of the street. Also of interest in the 40s is that very cool sign on the south side for what appears to be ‘SCHNEIDERS’. What did they sell?
You don’t KNOW, Doug? Well I never. 😉 The Schneiders sign in that picture makes me more sad to lose the Waldbart Florist sign in RH. Those are such great markers and features for the community.
While unrelated to the streetcar article, I was wondering if there is any photos of the Woolworth or JJ Newberry that occupied the still standing south side of Maplewood? My parents shopped at both, and as kids in the 60’s and 70’s, we went there often. Anyway, there’s lots of photos of old Maplewood, but I have yet to see some that include those 2 stores. Doug?
Michele, I’ll see what I can do. Stay Tuned.
Ok, will do…thank you!
My mom grew up in Brentwood and the Dinky ran in front of her house on Dorothy. There is a greenway there now I believe. She talks of taking the streetcar into Maplewood to shop as a young woman. I wish I had pictures of it, I should look through those boxes of photos….
Please do look through those boxes, Cathy. I had heard of the Richmond Heights Dinky but I haven’t seen a photo of it. Thank you for your recollection.
When you look at how well preserved and interesting the south side of the 7300 block of Manchester has become, it really makes you regret that the north side of the street was not given the chance to evolve before it was razed in the name of progress.
I agree, Ralf. The south side of the block is interesting and well preserved in spite of what happened on the north side. Just imagine if those original buildings were still there. Can’t go backwards, I guess. We can just try not to make any more stupid mistakes. Have I mentioned to you the spectacular cabinetry of the Harper’s Pharmacy?
Love the photos and local history!
Enthusiasm is always appreciated here, Beth. Thanks for expressing yours.
The two pictures from Sutton and Manchester looking east are interesting in regards to the store signs. In the 1940s picture, you can see a sign for LEES about a 1/3 of the way down the block. In the 1950s picture, the LEES sign has moved to the south side of the street. Also of interest in the 40s is that very cool sign on the south side for what appears to be ‘SCHNEIDERS’. What did they sell?
Well, Ian. I don’t know. Thank you for posting your observations.
You don’t KNOW, Doug? Well I never. 😉 The Schneiders sign in that picture makes me more sad to lose the Waldbart Florist sign in RH. Those are such great markers and features for the community.
Not only the sign but we’re losing the whole building. What a shame especially since there is another urgent care facility two blocks away.
Doug,
Link number one goes to a Reller Chevrolet article.
Thank you, Mike. I should have pointed out that there is a Bill Jones story in the comments part of that link.