For the Love of Jennings
admin | Oct 26, 2009 | Comments 19
Linda Schmerber, Jennings city historian, proudly shows the community's flag, which was designed by a local 8th grader in 1964.
Jennings is a city that most would say has “transitioned.” In the past 40 years, its population has changed so dramatically that what was once an all-white, middle-class suburb has now become a place where nearly one-quarter of the residents live in poverty and 79 percent of the community is African-American.
At its peak in the late 1950s and early 60s, Jennings had nearly 20,000 residents (5,000 more than today). It also boasted four Catholic parishes, and up until 1960, two thriving school districts. The city was incorporated in 1946 but its roots stem back to 1839, when James Jennings, a Virginia farmer and merchant, purchased 3,000 acres bordered roughly by I-70, Riverview Drive, 367, and Lucas & Hunt.
James Jennings worked his land with the help of 40 slaves, and when he died of tuberculosis in 1855, his property was divided between his wife, Ann Montague Jennings, and their six adult children. When Ann died in 1868, her land was subdivided and developed into homes, churches, farms and businesses – some of which still exist today.
It’s these historic treasures and the proud legacy of the Jennings family that Linda Schmerber has been fighting to protect for the past two decades. A Jennings resident for 48 years (off and on), she joined the Jennings Historical Society in 1987, served as president for 17 years, and now volunteers as the city’s historian and archivist.
A former Jennings landmark that no longer exists: the Janet Theatre
Operating out of a shotgun 1950s-era building that rumbles when trucks pass by on nearby Jennings Station Road, Schmerber, a retired nurse, has carefully collected old photographs, newspapers, yearbooks and other memorabilia that tell the story of Jennings’ vibrant history and gradual decline. She has even authored a book on the now defunct West Walnut School District, which served the community from 1916 until 1960, when it merged with the Jennings School District.
According to Schmerber, many of Jennings’ longtime residents are just like her, in that they live in homes that were owned and eventually paid off by a parent or grandparent. “We have a number of folks, both black and white, who are second or third generation,” she says. And up until this past Saturday, many of the white residents frequently congregated right next to the Jennings Historical Society, at a weathered old tavern called Jennings Station Bar & Grill.
Jennings Station Bar & Grill, a hub of the Jennings community for decades
Originally opened in the 1930s as a feed store, the building at 8745 Jennings Station Road housed Kralemann’s Market, Schreck’s Tavern, the Jennings News Release newspaper office, and a bar owned by William Tharp, a former mayor of Jennings, before it became Jennings Station Bar & Grill. Schmerber can’t recall the exact date Jennings Station opened, but she says the site has been a popular gathering spot for at least 50 years and somewhat of a “white oasis” since the late 1980s.
“It’s not that blacks aren’t welcome there,” she says. “But people know it’s where the old-timers hang out, so most newer residents probably wouldn’t know anyone.”
Up until the tavern abruptly closed on October 24, my own 82-year-old grandfather (a former NoCo resident) was a frequent Jennings Station customer, driving in from Illinois every Wednesday to enjoy dinner and live music with a group of fellow seniors. Schmerber says the bar – a dark, cozy place with loads of vintage flair – was also where regulars had their own bar stools, locals met for coffee, and Jennings city employees walked to for lunch.
Kralemann's Market once occupied the building that now holds Jennings Station Bar & Grill, right next door to the volunteer fire department.
Apparently, Jennings Station owner Bill Fortner, who also owns several apartment buildings in Jennings and serves on the planning commission, simply decided it was time to close up. Without any real notice or fanfare, he told customers that Saturday would be Jennings Station’s last day in business, and that was it. Local residents have been buzzing ever since.
“Saturday also happened to be the funeral for our former police chief, and everyone there was talking about Jennings Station,” Schmerber says, still stunned by the news. Since Jennings was incorporated in 1946, it has lost every original business except Knodel’s Bakery, Ed Bellm Plumbing and Velvet Freeze, so the demise of yet another longtime establishment really stings for faithful “holdouts” like Schmerber and her husband, David, a city councilman.
Like every good "mostly locals" tavern, Jennings Stations' front door was actually a nondescript side door. Let the Busch sign blaze the way.
“I’m very sorry to see Jennings Station go,” she says. “We’ve endured so much change in Jennings, and now this. It just leaves a real hole in the community.”
Still, Schmerber is optimistic. Her hometown may look radically different than it did when she was growing up, but at least there are still people interested in its history. Over the years, Schmerber has fielded numerous calls from former residents and others seeking information about Jennings. Using the archives that she was instrumental in creating, she has even helped to re-unite a birthmother with her daughter, and once located the only remaining photo of a late woman whose children had never seen her before.
“I absolutely love to be here,” Schmerber says of the JHS archives, and it shows. Bubbling with facts and interesting stories, and clearly delighted to share them, she has single-handedly organized thousands of photos, clippings and odd tidbits that relate to Jennings, and she will happily open her files to anyone who asks.
Treasures from the late Fairview High School, Linda Schmerber's alma mater
Want to see early images of River Roads or Northland, or the North Twin Drive-In? Or maybe you need an old yearbook from Jennings or Fairview High School? If so, Linda Schmerber is your gal. Though no longer on the board of the Jennings Historical Society, she still manages the archives and accepts donations for the collection. And if you have a question about Jennings history, she is definitely the one to ask.
“Everything we have is here because someone donated it,” she says. “People have been very kind in giving to us, so we give back as much as we can. It’s because we love the community – that’s why we do this.”
If you have any Jennings memorabilia you’d like to donate or you want to visit the JHS archives, contact Linda Schmerber at (314) 381-6650. You’re also welcome to attend the Jennings Historical Society’s quarterly potluck meeting: Tuesday, December 8, 6:30pm, at the Jennings Civic Center, 8720 Jennings Station Road. Annual dues are just $12, or $7 for seniors and students.
Locations in Florissant,
Chesterfield & West Port
North County's Largest Music Festival - Sept 24-25
Sept 11 CC's Knitting & Crocheting Demo & Sale 8am-12pm, Les Dames L'Escoffier and SLU Childrens Walk & Shop the market 9:30am, Live Music - Maple Jam Band 9-11am, Northern Arts Council Art Activities and Demo 9-11am. ALSO 45+ vendors!
Saturdays 8am-2pm in the 2500 block of Woodson Road
Do you have a 1956 Jennings High School Book I can buy?
I have lost mine in many moves.
WOW how nice to see and learn about the old home town… My father grew up in Jennings (would be in his upper 80′s) and so did I….Was a hometown where grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins lived near by. Anyone rember Mr Bandles(spelling) Candy Store? The pastor of our church was Rev. Moore from the Baptis Church.Thank-you for sharing.
Many of you reading this undoubtedly have a connection to Jennings, but I have to say that My roots here are as deep as anyone’s. My Grandfather Ed Sexton (God rest his soul) was a Fixture at the far end of the bar for decades. My father still won’t drink Pepsi because on the rare occasion that his dad would bring him to Tharp’s as a child, he bought him a Coke. And that’s how it was… For my three siblings and I, it was a Yoohoo! (chocolate sodie). And we knew that if we saw Grandpa’s car in Tharp’s lot on our walk home from Corpus Christi, there would be a Chocolate Sodie coming if we stopped in and hung out for a minute.
Many of you reading this think of Jennings as a distant memory. A decent place to live and raise a family. The home of the first and at one time Largest shopping mall in America (River Roads). You remember the beautiful stained glass of Corpus Christi’s church. St. Louise, St. Lucy’s, St. Francis Cabrini… Lefholdz Hardware, Toofer’s, the list goes On and On… Now we add Tharp’s Tavern (Jennings Sta. Bar & Grill to the youngins) What’s Next?
I’m here and I’m Stayin’. I don’t care if I’m the last white-boy here. I’m not going anywhere! They’ve broken into my Folks’ house, set fire to one our cars, Egged the house, etc. and so on… The BOTTOM LINE for all of you “White-Flight” people is: DON’T COME BACK! If you want to remember Jennings as a nice place, Keep your butts in Troy or Arnold or wherever ur moved to the minute your trash cans got knocked over by a little black kid. It broke my heart to see Corpus Christi in RUBBLE. The nicest Gymnasium in North County. A place where Millions of memories were made, and an entire Parish DESTROYED! Thanks a lot guys. How’s that St. Peter’s air smellin’?… not as good as the Air in Jennings when LOUISA’S drops a fresh batch of Toasted Ravioli, or Knodel’s is baking fresh cakes, or even the Rib Tips at ROPER’S (a wonderful Corpus Christi Family-owned B-B-Q establishment).
The least you can do is join the Jennings Historical Society.
My check is on its way and yours should be, too. God Bless.
Dear Linda,
Something very familiar about your face…I think I knew you, maybe. I’m a JHS grad 1964 8816 Clifton Ave. I was there in the beginning…born 12/19/1946.
Are the “thousands of photos, clippings and odd tidbits that relate to Jennings” posted on a website? Pretty sure I will be able to contribute to the collection.
Currently in Franklin, Tennessee. Write and let me know the details you have…and many thanks for spearheading the memorial preservation of our hometown.
The Janet Theater (previously known as the Cardinal) was still standing last time I was in the neighborhood; it’s spent the last 50 years as a Midas Muffler shop!
Hi Linda,
I remember you very well and congratualtions for all the good work you’e done saving Jennings’ history. I knew you as Linda Ciolek and we were in the same class at Fairview High School. I believe your uncle, Lou Ciolek was our good janitor at St. Louise de Marillac school and your dad was the most welcome sno-cone man who sweetened our summer evenings. I grew up at 7131 Dawson and when I drove by there a year ago, the current owner was in front and I asked her how she liked it there and she said, “I love it.” That warmed my heart to know soemone else loved my childhood home.
My grandfather was James Hawkins-assistant mayor for many years. He was responsible for Koeneman Park-they wanted to name it after him but he declined. I graduated from JHS in ’64. The main reason we moved away was we needed more room and people stopped voting for school tax increases-I worked at the polls many times. My uncle was Bill Braihland of the corner market near the jr. high.
I grew up in Jennings, too. We lived on Wilborne and Saphire and often walked the steets of Jennings. In fact, the bar you are showing is the old Thorpes, my Mom and Dad’s favorite hangout in the 50′s and 60′s. I even cut grass for old Ed Schreck who owned the bar before Bill Thorpe.
I remember Hart Dairy up on the corner of Jennings Rd. and Halls Ferry before they tore it down and put up River Roads.
I remember going to the new place in Jennings called Northland!
I live in North Dakota now, but visit Jennings every time I’m back in St. Louis. Jennings will forever be a warm spot in my heart that gets even warmer when I hear the words. “Ups and Downs!”
I grew up in Jennings. Starting out on Wilborn ave. and moving to Sapphire. I attended Kindergarten at the little school on Hodimont and Jenwood, eventually going to Fairview. What fond memories. My sister, brother and I walked and played all over Jennings. Do you remember Kappi’s department store? Krummenacher’s camera store? Sand’s drug store,Colletti’s Tavern on Emma and Jennings sta. rd.? They played cork ball there. How about Conreaux’s grocery store across from Fairview school? I loved Jennings so much that my husband and I moved back there in 1970-79. My kids went to Woodland Elementary and Corpus Christi school. Jennings was a true neighborhood. I miss those times.
My mother and father were married in Jennings and we lived there until I was 11 and my sister was 10. My Mother grew up on Janet avenue and met my father when she sold tickets at the Janet avenue theatre. She grew up on Janet avenue about 10 houses from the theatre and my father grew up on Jennings avenue. We ate for many years from place settings of dishes that we got as a bonus as we bouht tichets at the Theatre. As I remember, 10 cents for children and 2 cents for adults. My parents danced and won a few contests in a dance hall near Goodfellow avenue and they opened the Acme bar and restaurant just west of Goodfellow. 5 and 6 generations of bothh sides of our families. Murphys and Tessons, are buried in Calvary Cemetary.
I took my children, who now have children, to visit Calvary, as well as a couple of the homes we lived in, one on Janet When we were there for the Cardinals World Series and we were blown away and did not appear all that welcome in what was once a great blue collar working area to live in.
By the way, it was 25 cents for adults. Amazing how many ways the world has changed. I have more details if you are interested.
I always loved hearing about the history of Jennings. I hope to hear more. It was a great place to grow-up.
Brings back wonderful memories. I attended Fairview Elementary, Junior High and High School with fond memories—–sleigh riding on the hills of the stadium, school picnics at Chain of Rocks, being able to walk everywhere, Steak and Shake on Florissant Ave with “Ferguson” keeping the cruising moving along,stopping at the many confectionaries to buy penny candy on the way home from school, A&W Rootbeer drive-in and much more. Thanks Linda for sharing your memories and history. And yes—I bought Andi’s famous snow cones too! I lived at 7045 Garesche.
I, too, remember Lou. He gave the children extra French fries on Friday’s. What a treat it was in those days! I lived on Sherry across from the Mee’s and next to the Hagemans and Ruthmeyer’s. I also remember Knodel’s bakery and Abel Drug. Does anyone remember the bird in one of the Tavern’s that said “Hi, Joe!”? Us kids thought that bird knew our dad! My grandma and grandpa lived over on Janet and my dad went to Fairview. My brother and sisters and I went to Ste. Louise. What about O’Neil’s market? They were very good to my family. I would love to thank them again. I vaguely remember a “beer garden” somewhere around there that had music and food. Does anyone remember the name and where it was? Was the candy store you were talking about on Wilborne? I also remember the Velvet Freeze on Goodfellow. Not to be a downer, but I remember the first African American to move on our block on the corner of Goodfellow and Sherry. I remember that people threw paint and eggs at their house and I didn’t understand why. Wow!
My Dad worked at O’Neils market for years. They eventually moved on Halls Ferry. The candy store I had mentioned was on Emma and College. There were so many of the stores in the area back then.
Does anyone know who designed the Jennings flag. Linda mentioned it was an 8th grader in 1964—-what was my class.
Jennings was built along with the reasons for it’s demise. No proper zoning laws or neighborhood societies and too many liquor licenses. You drive down any of the streets in the south side and homes are built like chaotic drunken gnomes got the jobs. Homes too close to the property lines and each others; homes with substandard building materials; homes built by guys and their friends while drunk on weekends. The city failed to even put in sidewalks. The sidewalks start on one section of Helen then stop for 12 houses. This was all done in the 40′s through the 60′s when there wasn’t a black person in sight. Many of these homes are sad looking shacks and they are over 40 years old; not something the current residents created. If you walk 6 blocks over into north city you’ll find well manicured zosia grass lawns and pretty brick homes following a zoning plan and it’s like night and day.
There was always too many bars and taverns in Jennings in the ’60 and ’70′s. Alcoholism was rampant and domestic abuse calls common. Cars were vandalized and there were other more serious crimes. Jennings was a lower middle class neighborhood with many problems not some Utopian childhood town. Our kids would fight in the parking lots across from Fairview school but it was just kids being kids now it’s considered horrible. I would have to say that the amount of alcoholism is THE major reason for the downfall of Jennings because alcoholics won’t accept authority (zoning commissions), alcoholics won’t cooperate (they prefer drama and fighting as the norm), alcoholics band together into neighborhoods of similar people cause they can’t stand the ‘rich uppity folk’, alcoholics do function and hold jobs but then have hard time keeping a normal family life.
I’m tired of hearing about how great Jennings was THEN when it’s an illusion. It was built on a house of card zoning system and only had one way to go… down.
On the bright side; Jennings has hit it’s bottom and the diversity of the residents is improving (check the census to verify but I see more whites, Asians and Hispanics than ever) which leads to neighborhood improvement. The number of businesses moving in has increased, Jennings Station Rd project is near completion and the city is slowing condemning and tearing down the badly built homes. Seeing that an African American can be elected president seemed to make the neighborhood more friendly and hopeful over night; there were 700 ppl in line to vote at Woodland at 5:30am Nov 2008. Like the guy said above, you ppl that ran cause you couldn’t stand seeing one black face, stay away; we don’t want racists. We want ppl who like diverse groups of ppl. We want ppl who like to see a cross section of America in one neighborhood.
I want to know more about what happened at Corpus Christi parish. What buildings knocked down, etc.
Thanks,
Sharon
Sharon, I grew up in St. Catherine’s Parish in Riverview Gardens and attended Corpus Christi High School 1957-1961.the first graduating class.In 1957-1958, the freshman class of Aquinas high school shared the building while their school in Florissant was being finished. Each school had 150 students,coed, divided into five sections according to academic levels..
Classes were separate, but we shared lunch, activities, and teachers..My Mom was the music teacher..in the morning she taught the Aquinas sophomores at the Sacred Heart original grade school building
in Florissant.
The High school was well designed with innovations in classrooms appropriate to the types of classes and requirements…including a fully equipped darkroom and newspaper meeting room.
I remember paying $125 tuition for my senior year tuition.I was one of the few students driving to school that year, after taking the Riverview and then the Jennings bus each day for three years.
Most students were from a blue collar background.
It was ‘neat’ to be the first class and create traditions..in the mid 60′s Corpus became a Girl’s High school and closed in 1973????
It was then eventually used as a grade school.. the original parish gathering space had a chapel in the basement and hall and stage on the first floor..It was a wooden building in the back of the older church.
The gym was a beauty…vaulted copper roof//huge stage..the bowling alleys on the lower level brought income for the parish…the Kindergarten classrooms at the rear of the gym were bright and airy, nice views of the athletic field.
The older church was very tradional.The Organ in the choir loft was a Wick Pipe Organ, made in Highland, Illinois.
As I recall the older church was closest to the railroad tracks,next the rectory, then the high school….across the parking lot was the Nun”s house adjoining the grade school,along Switzer Ave. The Gym faced Switzer along the back property line.
Th wooden parish hall was “in the middle” of the area..I believe there was a large garage behind the church.
By the early 70′s, the new church was built…probably not needed by that time as there were newer parishes and already a move across to St.Charles.
The Alexian Brothers bought the property a few years ago and converted the church to a facility serving the older adults in North county.
A month ago,the converted church and the boarded-up high school were all that was standing..Construction is starting on apartments for seniors, something direly needed in North county.
The high school will be demolished as the Archdiocese did not maintain the property
and the roofs of both the High School and the Gymnasium were in such bad condition the interiors were severely damaged beyond repair.
The Athletic field is now a drainage/storm water management area.
It is difficult to see the complex that served the parish and community so well over the years.
Hopefully the vision and committment of the Alexians will bring a vibrancy and new life to Corpus Christi, a parish that served and influenced thousand of lives over the years.
The Principal of Corpus Christi High School 1957-1961,Mother Mary Patrick O’Brien died in June,2010 at the Ursuline home in Alton at the age of 87.
Carol Halloran’
Ferguson,Mo
I went in O’Neil’s store a million times. We lived on Hamilton, so it was right down the street. As well, I so vividly remember Louie the janitor at St. Louise. I’ll never forget me and my best friend Bob Schrautameier helping Louie grate the cabbage, etc. on Friday nights for the fish fries. The memories are as fresh as yesterday.