Walter Notter lived in what would one day be Maplewood as early as 1892. He lived with his parents at 7516 (or possibly 7511) Woodland. His WWI draft induction notice says Woodlawn but other records show Woodland.
In 1930, Walter and Lillian bought a house at 7237 Bruno for ten dollars. A handwritten deed seems to attest to this fact. They raised four sons, Charles, Edward, Joseph and Donald, all of whom served in the military. Charles, the oldest, served during WWII. (Correction: Should read, He served immediately after WWII.) His son, Edward, has very kindly shared these images with us.
Walter Notter (on the right) and a friend stand in front of the shell-damaged cathedral at Reims, France sometime during WWI. What a great picture! Ordinarily I’d save one like this for last but since I’m putting everything chronologically, it is first.This charming photograph shows Charles and his brother, Edward, in 1930.Handwritten deed believed to show the purchase of their home for ten dollars.In this image from 1932, the two brothers are probably in the yard behind their home at 7237 Bruno.Here we have Charles in 1933. Notice the border. I don’t know how many years borders like this were used but they have been a clue in the past that an undated photo might be from the early 1930’s.Charles again in 1934. This time with a nice ride.I’m not sure which son is in the second row, fourth from the left. (It is confirmed that the boy is Charles.)Charles with his mother, Lillian about 1940. She sure looks young. Are we certain this is his mother?Walter Notter, early 1940’s.
A graduation at St. Luke’s 1942. Again I’m not sure which son is in this photo. (This image is also of Charles).Charles with his mother, Lillian in 1946. All four of the Notter boys served in various branches of the military. Charles was the first to go. He enlisted in the Marines and served in WWII. (Correction: Should read, He enlisted in the Marines at the end of WWII.)Charles and his beautiful wife in 1948.This image was made in 1949. I’m guessing this is in front of the Notter home at 7237 Bruno.Also from 1949. The beautiful, Art Deco Maplewood Pool building (now the library) is in the background.
I visited Reims, France in 2010. Just thought I’d complete this image with one of mine.
The cathedral is mind mindbogglingly huge. It is the traditional site of the coronation of the kings of France. The towers are 266 feet high.The cathedral was badly damaged by German artillery in WWI. The giant timbers of which the roof was constructed caught fire, causing the lead sheets used as roofing to melt and run out of the mouths of the gargoyles. This caused the destruction of the bishop’s palace as well. Today, the restoration is ongoing.This teacher or guide certainly had these young folks attention. I don’t have any idea what she was telling them. This image has almost nothing to do with the Notter family story.Neither does this one. Think of it as a bonus.This “Last Man’s Club” shell must have been created during the time Walter was involved with the VFW post he had helped to found. I guess the names were all members of the post. Maplewoodians may recognize J.B. Smith’s name. Ed please correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t you say everyone whose name was engraved on the shell put money in it? The last person living got the shell. Is that the way it goes?Lastly, Ed is hoping to contact someone who can tell him more about this image. According to Ed this “picture is of my maternal grandfather, Robert Guitteau from Brentwood (far right). I’m purely guessing from their attire, 1920’s?” Anyone who knows anything about Freddie Kurtzeborn and his orchestra, please respond below. I’ll make sure Ed sees it.
I would like to thank Ed Notter and the Notter family for sharing these items with us. It is very hard to imagine what it must have been like to live in our community in the past. These images make it a bit easier.
We are in to September already. This fact causes this summer person to worry. Soon we’ll again be inflicted with the annoying coolness. I know, I know, a lot of you claim to enjoy it including one very close member of my own family. Just keep it to yourself and wear your masks.
As always I appreciate your support comments, tips, etc. I couldn’t so this without you.
Thanks.
Doug Houser September 2, 2020
10 COMMENTS
Great pictures, Ed. I could pick your mom and dad out easily on the Bruno pic. They didn’t change that much over the years. Thanks for sharing!
Doug, I have a Kenneth C. Notter who earned his Eagle with Troop 362 on 5/12/1980, and a Richard J. Notter who earned his Eagle with us in 1983.
I would have to dig further to see if their dad(s) were in the Troop in the 40s.
Forgot to mention, Kenny & Ricky were the youngest boys of our gaggle and the only ones to achieve Eagle. Except my son who was the last one to make it before St. Luke’s Troop 520 folded.
The 2 grade school photos are of my dad, Charles, at St. Luke’s. The Last Man Standing shell had a bottle of whiskey in it, not sure who got the whiskey.
All right, Ed. Here is what I’m not getting. If your Dad, Charles, graduated from 8th grade in 1942 then how on earth did he also serve in WWII? I’m missing something.
I wonder how many of those engraved shells there are around. Did they all have a bottle of whiskey in them? Did the “Last Man” get to drink it after everyone else had died? How much fun would that be and wouldn’t he be too old by then?
His USMC Report of Separation (40’s version of today’s DD214) had WWII, 0 combat time. Being a career soldier myself I was aware of the dates but left it at that, he was my dad. The “Last Man”, regardless of what war, got what was in the shell. Money, booze, whatever. In this case it was whiskey but I have no idea who got to drink it.
Mantelli, you make four because I know two other heatophiles. That is we folks who enjoy being in St. Louis in the summertime. It helps if you’re retired, don’t have to dress for work (or anything else for that matter), don’t wear any or very much makeup, and enjoy wearing minimal amounts of clothing. That last one can be hard on the neighbors. No we’re not going to move to Arizona. 95-100, just stay in the shade or at the pool but 115 – who needs that?
Great pictures, Ed. I could pick your mom and dad out easily on the Bruno pic. They didn’t change that much over the years. Thanks for sharing!
Doug, I have a Kenneth C. Notter who earned his Eagle with Troop 362 on 5/12/1980, and a Richard J. Notter who earned his Eagle with us in 1983.
I would have to dig further to see if their dad(s) were in the Troop in the 40s.
Hey George, I have no idea how many of these Notters there are out there but they know. Perhaps they’ll read your post and sound off.
In 362 you might have my younger brothers Thomas, Jamie (James) and maybe even Chuck but I and our dad and his brothers were all in 520 (St. Luke’s).
Forgot to mention, Kenny & Ricky were the youngest boys of our gaggle and the only ones to achieve Eagle. Except my son who was the last one to make it before St. Luke’s Troop 520 folded.
The 2 grade school photos are of my dad, Charles, at St. Luke’s. The Last Man Standing shell had a bottle of whiskey in it, not sure who got the whiskey.
All right, Ed. Here is what I’m not getting. If your Dad, Charles, graduated from 8th grade in 1942 then how on earth did he also serve in WWII? I’m missing something.
I wonder how many of those engraved shells there are around. Did they all have a bottle of whiskey in them? Did the “Last Man” get to drink it after everyone else had died? How much fun would that be and wouldn’t he be too old by then?
His USMC Report of Separation (40’s version of today’s DD214) had WWII, 0 combat time. Being a career soldier myself I was aware of the dates but left it at that, he was my dad. The “Last Man”, regardless of what war, got what was in the shell. Money, booze, whatever. In this case it was whiskey but I have no idea who got to drink it.
Doug, I’m so glad there is at least one other summer person in the world!
Mantelli, you make four because I know two other heatophiles. That is we folks who enjoy being in St. Louis in the summertime. It helps if you’re retired, don’t have to dress for work (or anything else for that matter), don’t wear any or very much makeup, and enjoy wearing minimal amounts of clothing. That last one can be hard on the neighbors. No we’re not going to move to Arizona. 95-100, just stay in the shade or at the pool but 115 – who needs that?