Posts Tagged ‘Hazelwood’

Ice skating coach Becky Kern-Ryan (left) teaches fundamentals to a class of pint-sized beginners at the Ice Zone in Hazelwood.

Like me and many other NoCo natives of a certain age, Ferguson resident Becky Kern-Ryan grew up ice skating at the North County Recreation Complex on Redman Road. She got her first pair of ice skates for Christmas when she was 11, and before long, she had far surpassed us “casual skaters” (who showed up mostly to meet boys) and started competing in local meets.

“Over time, I became really involved with the synchro teams at North County,” Kern-Ryan says, referring to the sport of synchronized figure skating where anywhere from eight to 32 skaters perform what’s essentially a dance recital on ice. By age 18, she was not only competing as a synchro skater. She and a friend were also coaching beginner teams at the rec center – despite the fact that interest in ice skating in North County seemed to be waning.

“For a while, we moved over to [U.S. Ice Sports in] Fairview Heights because it was just more active over there,” Kern-Ryan, 33 and now a mother of three, says.

In fact, the number of skaters at North County Rec Complex had dropped off so dramatically in recent years that St. Louis County closed the rink in spring 2008. Its final season drew around 2,000 skaters between October and March, as well as a budget deficit of $160,000.

“People don’t think about it, but the cost of maintaining an ice rink is outrageous,” says Ken Daniels, manager of the Dellwood Soccer Complex, which stopped icing its rink way back in 1983. “All the compressors, the Zamboni…it’s easy to see why a lot of rinks have closed. And not just in North County.”

Daniels recalls the Ice Chateau that used to be on Larimore Road in the 1970s. For a time, the city of Hazelwood also maintained an outdoor rink at White Birch Park, but that was closed in the mid-80s and later converted to a BMX/skate park.

Since the 1990s, the St. Louis area has lost a total of three ice rinks. Today, just two remain in North County: the recently renovated facility at Florissant’s James Eagan Civic Center and the Ice Zone at Hazelwood Mills, where Kern-Ryan now coaches and the St. Louis Blues hold their practices.

Both rinks have had a busy season thus far, offering public and private sessions and skating instruction. The Ice Zone, in particular, has served as the primary training facility for a number of competitive young skaters.

“Having the Blues here really draws people in,” Kern-Ryan says of the Hazelwood rink, where former Ukranian pairs skating champion, Olga Vavilova, is also a coach. “We’re especially busy now, with the Olympics coming up and so many kids getting skates for Christmas.”

And the North County Rec Complex – what’s happening there these days? Following an extensive $1.8 million renovation, the center’s old ice rink is now home to several basketball courts, a volleyball court, a two-lane walking track and new community meeting rooms, all of which are about to be officially unveiled next weekend. I stopped by today and the place is gorgeous!

If you want to see for yourself, attend the open house on Saturday, February 20, from 1-5pm, at 2577 Redman Road, 63136.

You also still have plenty of time to take in some ice skating before winter is over. The Ice Zone has public sessions seven days a week – $5.50 per person plus $2.50 skate rental. Call (314) 227-5288 for specific schedules. The Eagan Ice Rink is also open seven days a week, with admission ranging from $1.50 to $4. For more info, call (314) 921-4470.

Where there was once an ice rink, the North County Rec Complex now boasts a brand new multi-sport facility, which officially opens on February 20.

Technicolor skies over Ferguson. Ah, the quiet joys of winter.

Like most people, I’m wrapping up 2009 with a mixed bag of good and bad. I fell short of several goals this year (no surprise), but as usual, the fact that I didn’t get rich or skinny was easily overshadowed by an abundance of other blessings. Good friends, a healthy and happy family, a loving husband – when I focus on all the positives in my life, the negatives are so much easier to handle.

And so it is with North County as well. During 2009, our underdog community continued to face a number of challenges, many a result of the flagging economy. Housing values dipped, several local retailers went out of business, and in terms of foreclosures, seven NoCo zip codes (including my own) were among the top ten hardest hit areas in the entire state of Missouri.

It would be easy to look at an older, discarded suburb like North County and assume that further decline is a guarantee. But that’s only if you’re not looking hard enough. Over the past few months, I’ve spoken with hundreds of NoCo residents and business owners and actively searched out positive news, and I can tell you with absolute certainty: there are good things happening in North County.

Here in Ferguson, CORK Wine Bar has been surprising lots of former NoCo naysayers, just as Ray Hill’s BrewHouse is bound to do when it opens in January. The Ferguson Farmers Market celebrated its seventh successful season. Overland’s new market also had a great inaugural year. In Bridgeton, several parks got a lovely facelift in 2009, and a new city government complex is currently being built. In the Old Jamestown area, residents won further legal protections for the uniquely beautiful Florissant Karst.

In the Spanish Lake area, a gorgeous new visitor center was built at the Confluence, helping to draw larger crowds to this amazing natural wonder. And all across North County, despite the steady drum beat of negativity regarding local schools, students and teachers at every school district won awards and made countless achievements that were rarely reported on the evening news.

This year also saw bright spots in terms of redevelopment: The Express Scripts distribution facility is currently under construction at NorthPark and will eventually create 300 new jobs. Seventy-six acres of new cargo facilities will soon be built in Hazelwood, just north of Lambert Airport. Also in Hazelwood, the long-vacant former Kmart was redeveloped into professional office and conference space, giving a boost to local small businesses. And on Dunn Road near Bellefontaine and 270, the National Archives and Records Administration is building a $100 million, 475,000-square-foot records center that will be home to 800 employees.

At the site of the former Gem department store, the largest National Archives building outside of Washington D.C. is being built. Right here in NoCo.

Will Bridgeton kick off 2010 by using TIF money to get a Super Wal-Mart built on the site of the former Value City? Will St. Louis County allow a casino to be built in a pristine natural area near Spanish Lake? Will Ferguson approve the demolition of 7-8 handsome vintage houses to make room for a CVS (right next to a Walgreens)? Only time will tell. But clearly, somebody sees potential in North County, so that’s a hopeful sign.

As for me, I’ve spent the past few weeks planning my NOCO articles for 2010, and wow, there are so many great stories coming down the pike! Historic golf courses, hookah lounges, musicians, ice skating, glee clubs, fun places for kids, aviation history, car collectors, private schools, dive bars, artists, local nonprofits, community gardens, and even one of the oldest fencing clubs in the country – you can read about all that and more in upcoming NOCO posts.

Donate $2 or more to NOCO and get this fun sticker! The tip jar is in the far right sidebar.

And if that’s not exciting enough, I’m also throwing in a bonus, meant to really rev up your North County mojo! Starting January 1, anyone who donates $2 or more to help keep NOCO up and running will receive a big fat NORTH COUNTY PRIDE bumper sticker – sure to be the envy of everyone in St. Louis!

(Don’t worry, it’ll fit just fine next to your FERG sticker. And you’ll finally be able to tell the world, or at least fellow drivers, “I’m from NoCo and damn proud!”)

Can a blog and a bumper sticker really turn the tide for North County? Honestly, I don’t know. But if you keep reading, I’ll keep writing. And with a little collective pride and a commitment to remain active, invested and hopeful in our community, I truly believe we can make 2010 an even brighter year for our beautiful little corner of St. Louis.

So Happy New Year, everyone! Thank you so much for supporting NOCO (and NoCo) in 2009!

Judging from the emails I’ve gotten this week, many folks were both surprised and elated to read about so many great North County retailers. Hooray! Mission accomplished. So without further ado, here’s the second half of my 25 ways to shop NoCo for the holidays:

13) Generations Antique Mall, 729 rue St. Francois, 63031, (314) 831-6070

Fifty different dealers converge in this small but packed-to-the-gills antique mall in Old Town Florissant, where you can score everything from 1800s primitives to 1960s housewares. If you’re itching for a vintage-themed Christmas this year, Generations is a great place to find aluminum trees and 1950s holiday décor. It’s also the first of six stops on the North County Antique Trail, which includes antique shops in both Florissant and Ferguson. Just ask for a map at the desk. (Mike Finley’s 309 Antiques at 309 S. Florissant, which is on the trail and only open Thursday through Saturday 10-2, has been known to yield some very interesting finds. Mike has been in the antiques business for decades.)

14) You’re Fired, 1121 Howdershell, 63031, (314) 837-8250

The last time I visited You’re Fired, the paint-your-own-pottery studio in Hazelwood, I rolled out of there with a brutally ugly striped vase resembling a clown’s pant leg. My husband actually gasped when he saw it. So did the guy at Goodwill. But that’s ok. Because the thrill of You’re Fired is not just the destination; it’s also the journey. And what a fun, relaxing trip it is. The folks at this cozy, laid back shop will coach you through any project you choose, or simply let you create in peace. Just pay for the item you wish to paint (bowls, ornaments, serving dishes, etc) and they’ll provide all the supplies and the firing. And yes, they offer gift certificates…for one artist or groups of up to 30. Sounds like the perfect family holiday outing to me.

15) Anna Buechter, Golden Needle Design Studio, (314) 522-9830

At a time when so many things are mass produced, my friend and Ferguson neighbor Anna Buechter is an especially rare gem. An artist and designer who specializes in meticulously handcrafted pillows and lampshades, this whirlwind mother of four learned to sew with her grandmother in Russia (at age five!) and gradually became a master of detailed handwork. Now she uses her exquisite taste and Old World talent to make beautiful objects with a vintage flair, including her latest collection of altered art jewelry, which is absolutely gorgeous! If you’re looking for something extra special this holiday season – maybe a unique custom piece – give Anna a call.

16) El-Mel, 6185 N. US Hwy 67, 63034, (314) 741-2117

I love El-Mel so much that it was one of the first businesses I wrote about here on NOCO. An old-timey lawnmower shop and all-around farm and garden supply store, it’s my favorite place for buying wild bird seed and all manner of dog treats. It also offers an awesome selection of bird feeders, including many that are made in the USA and a handful that are produced from recycled materials. If you’ve got a wild bird lover on your holiday shopping list, you absolutely must visit El-Mel! Between now and Christmas Eve, all bird feeders (and wind chimes) are 10 percent off.

17) The Fantasy Shop, 8232 N Lindbergh, 63031, (314) 831-5211

Though not really my scene, I totally understand why millions of people are absolutely nutty about comic books and fantasy role-playing. The opportunity to step outside of yourself and inhabit other worlds is very enticing. And not only that – it’s fun! Since 1981, the owners of The Fantasy Shop have been celebrating that fact, providing St. Louisans with all the action figures, card decks, graphic novels and adventure games they could handle. Their Florissant location is the NoCo headquarters for all things fantasy related, offering a mind-numbing assortment of comics and other items that would make most boys swoon. Why not reward your favorite young super hero with a gift certificate?

18) Blitz & Bling, 18 Patterson Plaza, 63031, (314) 830-0111

Much to my family’s chagrin, I usually like to snazz up the holidays by wearing a classic gem sweater on Christmas Eve. (Here’s the gem sweater queen!) But this year, I plan to glam out in another way, nabbing some super sparkly Christmas jewelry from Blitz & Bling. Open just two months, this sweet little Florissant boutique is a girly girl’s dream come true. Stocked with a fanciful and affordable array of scarves, purses, sunglasses and glistening costume jewelry, the store easily delivers on its name, offering every accessory a gal needs to feel like a million bucks. Shop there for someone special or treat yourself!

19) Hood’s, 9009 Natural Bridge Rd, 63121, (314) 427-2415

Santa Claus probably doesn’t field many requests for four-foot concrete tiki heads, but if he did, he could find them at Hood’s in Bel-Ridge. As part of the home improvement store’s recent makeover, dozens of interesting lawn ornaments, fountains and other outdoor accoutrements have started pouring in, and many would make wonderful gifts. I keep eyeing the giant glazed pots, envisioning a gorgeous water garden, but the tikis are definitely tempting me too. If you’re shopping for someone who can’t wait for spring, Hood’s just might have some sunshine you can use.

20) Dooley’s Florist & Gifts, 690 rue St. Francois, 63031, (314) 837-7444

First and foremost, Dooley’s is a florist, providing the Florissant community with beautiful floral arrangements since 1966. But step inside this charming Old Town storefront and you’ll find plenty more to grab your interest: home decor items, Christmas ornaments, cider and dip mixes, crackling WoodWick candles, and even one-of-a-kind stone candles made by a local artist. Owner Patty Sosa, a second-generation florist, can also handle all of your holiday greenery needs, selling super fresh pine wreaths and swags that will make your house smell like a winter wonderland!

21) Arcades-N-More, 6 Patterson Plaza, 63031, (314) 838-1210

If I had an extra thousand dollars burning a hole in my pocket, this magical shop in Florissant is the first place I would go. Lined wall to wall with vintage pinball machines and 1980s video games, Arcades-N-More sets my heart a-flutter, reminding me of the countless quarters and Friday nights I spent playing Centipede and Ms. Pac-Man (and skee-ball!) at Aladdin’s Castle in Jamestown Mall. The graphics on these old machines, especially the pinballs, is just fantastic, and the old-fashioned simplicity of the games, especially in this hectic era, is a pure joy. The fact that shop owner Rich Dion is as nice as could be – well, that’s just a bonus. Check out this awesome place today!

22) Perales Land Maintenance, 9420 Lackland, 63114, (314) 429-4829

Technically, this hole-in-the-wall store in Overland is the headquarters of a landscaping company, but every time I drive by, I fall in love with its colorful, spinning yard ornaments. Made of metal and just so cute, the spinners are part of a wee selection of fountains, flags, statuary and other garden items available at Perales. Shop now and you can also get a Christmas tree and some fresh holiday greenery. Gift certificates for landscape design and installation are available too.

23) The Chappel House, 4560 Washington, 63033, (314) 838-6242

It was Jean Chappel’s dream to open an art gallery, and that’s how The Chappel House in Florissant came to be. Featuring the work of dozens of local artists, this gallery and gift shop housed in a circa-1877 former residence offers everything from paintings and quilts to sculpture and fine photography – including local landscape images shot by Jean’s multi-talented husband, Gurry. Some of the items are quite pricey (in the thousands), but there are plenty of great buys to be found, especially in the jewelry cases. Why not spoil your best gal pal with some lovely handmade earrings?

24) C.R. Frank Popcorn, 5401 N. Lindbergh, 63042, (314) 731-4500

Since 1925, this family-run business in Hazelwood has been serving up all the confections that make you think “fun.” Sno-cones, cotton candy and of course popcorn – C.R. Frank not only sells the equipment and supplies to help you make these delights (like Hawaiian ice shavers and retro theater-style popcorn makers for your home). The company also produces its own line of gourmet popcorn in four flavors – caramel, cheddar, butter and kettle – and it’s sold in gift-ready tins ranging from two to 6.5 gallons. All of the tins are hand-packed and made to order, so before you invest in stale big box popcorn that’s been sitting around who knows how long, take a trip to the festive showroom at C.R. Frank.

25) GaGa’s Vintage Furniture & Gifts / Raindrop Flowers, 258 S. Florissant, 63135, (314) 522-0035 /521-9100

The only thing better than finding a neat little hidden boutique is discovering that the boutique is actually two shops in one. That’s what you get in Ferguson, where GaGa’s Vintage Furniture and Gifts shares a cozy basement storefront with Raindrop Flowers. On the GaGa’s side, you’ll find an ever-changing medley of housewares, vintage treasures, jewelry, candles and numerous gift items for almost any occasion. (Owner Cathy Frankum is especially known for her monogrammed products.) On the Raindrop side, floral designer Sarah Fletcher whips up striking contemporary arrangements, live and silk – perfect for a Christmas centerpiece! She also sells home décor and handmade greeting cards, and can make you a bouquet that any holiday hostess would adore.

So…are you ready to shop yet? If we could all buy just a portion of our holiday gifts at these fine North County retailers, just imagine all the dollars that would stay right here in our own community!

Stay tuned for next week, when I offer ideas for NoCo holiday food… YUM!  And don’t forget: If you do shop my 25, please mention that you read about them on NOCO! Thank you!

Nearly every time I visit St. Charles County, I run into former North County residents who tell me (whether I want to hear it or not) exactly why they had to “get out.” Things were getting bad, they’ll say. So much had changed. And besides, there was nowhere to shop!

Of course, if what you’re looking for is mile after mile of sparkling new chain stores, North County probably can’t compete with St. Chuck. But is there still plenty of quality shopping in NoCo, in the form of small independent retailers? You bet.

In fact, this list of 25 ways to shop North County for the holidays could have easily been much longer. And in case you don’t know, when you support independent local stores instead of big chains, at least $45 out of every $100 spent remains right here in the community. At a chain, it’s only 13 bucks. So if you want to do some good this holiday season and support your community at the same time you’re snagging some fun gifts, why not shop at these 25 great NoCo retailers:

1) Stems, 301 rue St. Francois, 63031, (314) 972-7836

When I’m working as a field editor for Better Homes and Gardens, this stylish floral shop in Old Town Florissant is exactly the type of place I’m looking for. Housed in a circa-1885 former mercantile once owned by Henry Albers, the decor is fresh and creative, the ambiance is fantastic, and even the store owners (and their super cute daughter) are magazine-ready. If you need inspiration for Christmas decorating or you’re shopping for ornaments, holiday decor or any sort of live or silk floral arrangement, definitely check out Stems. Owner Jenny Thomasson also sells gift certificates for her in-house floral design classes.

2) Nagle’s, 19 Patterson Rd, 63031, (314) 838-4444

I can’t decide what I like more – the sheer expansive wonder of Nagle’s old-timey variety store or the fact that owner Mike Nagle is a second-generation variety store man. His father ran the late Ben Franklin store  in Glasgow Village, and Mike has managed to keep that vintage mercantile feel alive and well. I don’t know any kid who wouldn’t brim with glee inside his store. Heck, Nagle’s is a sensory whirlwind for most adults, offering everything from toys, candles and gag gifts to birthday balloons, kitchen tools and wind chimes. You’ll find a little bit of everything here, jam-packed in wonderfully soaring aisles.

3) Alaska Klondike Coffee Co., 3200 N. Hwy 67, 63033, (314) 830-3488

I’m a tea drinker, so I have to trust my picky, java-loving husband when it comes to coffee, and he gives Alaska Klondike a hearty thumbs up. This simple storefront and coffee house features some of the finest coffee beans in the world, which owner/master roaster/former Alaskan Steve Richards roasts fresh every day. If you’re looking to buy top-quality coffee, gourmet cookies, flavored drink syrups, or perhaps some decadent cocoa made with eight kinds of chocolate, Alaska Klondike is for you. It’s also a great place to buy real burlap coffee sacks, perfect for crafts or green gift wrapping.

4) Missouri Mercantile, Hazelwood Mills, 63042, (314) 227-5005

This unique store at Hazelwood Mills draws shoppers from all over the state, and it should. Owner Bill Olwig has compiled an incredible selection of products produced right here in the Show Me State, especially food and wine. Missouri Mercantile sells Missouri cheese, salsa, jam, sausage, pet treats, salad dressing, BBQ sauce, lots of wine, and so much more. The best part is you can fill a gift box with whatever items you choose, and the box is shaped like the state of Missouri!

5) North Central Hobbies, 9630 Lackland Rd, 63114, (314) 426-0031

If there are pre-teen boys out there who would not like this fun hobby shop in Overland, I haven’t met them. For the past 25 years, owner Bill Egsieker has been feeding the dreams of model builders, puzzle solvers, kite flyers and remote control car lovers. And now, North Central Hobbies even has a huge slot car track that you can rent out for races. Before you hit the big toy stores, definitely give this neat place a try.

6) Pat Simmons, local author

Looking for a gift that really celebrates St. Louis? Award-winning local author Pat Simmons has not only built a loyal nationwide following with her Christian romance novels. She has also drawn legions of NoCo fans because many of her stories are actually set in North County! I hear the Whistle Stop and Thyme Table in Ferguson are both featured locations. And if you order directly from Pat’s website by December 17, she’ll send you autographed copies of her books in time for Christmas.

7) Deportes Atletica, 10005 St. Charles Rock Rd, 63074, (314) 426-4665

As the Hispanic community has grown in North County, so too has the need for quality soccer equipment, and Deportes Atletica in St. Ann has delivered in spades. This small store, which also sponsors leagues and has its own fields, sells a nice variety of soccer balls, cleats, nets, bags, and all kinds of fun gear representing professional teams from around the world. And did I mention – the folks here really know their futbol.

8 ) Smart Dogs, 396 St. Ferdinand St, 63031, (314) 921-2833

If your image of a pet groomer is a chaotic, messy place with hair flying everywhere, Smart Dogs in Florissant will change your mind right away. Clean, sophisticated and housed in the cutest old building with exposed brick and rustic beams, this full-service grooming salon is also a fabulous little pet boutique, where you can shop for organic dog treats, eco-friendly collars, leashes, toys, bowls, and even a dazzling doggie wardrobe. Another bonus: Helfer’s Pastries and Deli, featuring real whipped cream pies and other delights, is right next door.

9) Northern Arts Council (NAC) Gallery, 27 S. Florissant Rd, 63135, (314) 521-0299

I had a small hand in opening this community art gallery in 2007, so I already knew it had great merchandise. But when I visited again recently, I swear I wanted to buy half the store! Featuring an eclectic array of work from North County artists, the NAC Gallery offers paintings, handmade jewelry, pottery, prints, sculpture, leather work, and more – and most items are very reasonably priced. Normal hours are on Saturday mornings (or by appointment), but be sure to stop by NAC during Ferguson’s Christmas Glow: Dec 11-12 from 6-9pm. The gallery is so lovely at night.

10) Billiesdesigns75, on etsy

As if being an online super-mall of handcrafted items isn’t cool enough, etsy is also fabulous because it allows you to find local artists. Here’s the shop of a Florissant gal named Billie, who makes lovely one-of-a-kind jewelry and also accepts custom orders. (If only etsy would let you search its 170,000 stores by zip code, who knows how many other creative North Countians you’d find!) On Saturday, 12/19, you can shop Billie’s jewelry in person. Her first show will be at Bunker’s Tavern, 297 rue St. Francois in Old Town Florissant, from 12-3pm.

11) Trailblazer Bikes, 11 Paddock Hills Center, 63033, (314) 839-1434

Christmas isn’t Christmas unless somebody gets a bike, so you might as well ask Santa to swing by Trailblazer Bikes in Florissant. Despite its diminuitive size, this independent local bike shop offers a gamut of beach cruisers, BMX bikes, mountain bikes and pretty much anything bike and cycling related. And yes, they are competitive with the big box stores…just with better customer service.

12) Afro World, 7276 Natural Bridge, 63121, (314) 389-5194

I don’t care who you are. Everybody in North County should make a visit to Afro World. This unique Normandy emporium, which has been in business nearly 40 years, proudly celebrates African and African-American culture with an eclectic mix of artwork, clothing, jewelry, musical instruments and so much more. The fact that the store is housed in a funky 1960s bank building is worth the trip alone. So is its large gallery of original paintings featuring prominent African-Americans. (Even Gary Coleman gets some love.) But what I really adore about Afro World is the delightful gentleman who works at the counter (so sweet!) and the fact that he’s selling awesome, eco-friendly canvas bags for a knockout price. Seriously, seventy-nine cents for a USA-made, natural canvas makeup bag with a lovely graphic on it! And they come in gift bag and tote bag size too! People, get yourselves to Afro World!

Be sure to check back later this week for part two of the NoCo Holiday 25…

Founded in 1823, St. Stanislaus Seminary covered nearly 1,000 acres in the Howdershell/Charbonier area. Here it is in 1928, with the river to the north.

It’s a hard life to imagine these days – building your own home, growing all your own food, and doing so in a vast wilderness populated by natives who may or may not want you there. That was the life of early Jesuit missionaries, who arrived in North County in 1823, intent on sharing Christianity with local Indians.

Residing on 212 acres in the “common fields” of Florissant, the Jesuits constructed various log buildings and ran a small school for Native American boys, who they hoped to train as interpreters. When the school closed in 1831, St. Stanislaus Seminary opened in its place (at what’s now 700 Howdershell Road), and within ten years, it began to resemble the entirely self-sufficient monasteries of medieval Europe.

The Rock Building at St. Stanislaus, built by the Jesuits in 1840. Photo: Rome of the West

In addition to farming their land, the brothers and seminarians at St. Stanislaus quarried massive limestone blocks from the Missouri River bluffs, building themselves a new stone residence in 1840. All of the doors and woodwork were fashioned from walnut trees on the seminary grounds. The Jesuits also fired their own bricks on the spot.

Over the next 100 years, their property would grow to include multiple buildings and nearly 1000 acres, encompassing apple orchards, wheat fields, vineyards, beehives, a butcher shop, a chicken ranch, a creamery, a bakery and even a winery – the only Missouri winery allowed to operate during Prohibition. At the height of St. Stanislaus in the 1930s and 40s, the “priest farm” (as it was known by local residents) was something of a self-contained city, sprawling all the way from Howdershell Road to the Missouri River, including parts of Charbonier Bluff.

By 1971, with seminary enrollment declining and the Jesuits’ land increasing in value, St. Stanislaus was closed, and most of its buildings, except the 1840 limestone “Rock Building,” were sold to the Gateway College of Evangelism. Father Claude Heithaus, a Jesuit professor of archaeology, recognized the historical significance of the Rock Building and the many unique artifacts contained within, and he fought vigorously for their preservation.

On display at St. Stanislaus Museum is the original cross (or an exact early replica) that Father DeSmet gave to Sitting Bull.

As Heithaus knew, many early priests and brothers at St. Stanislaus had played key roles in educating Native Americans and establishing Catholic parishes and universities. Some, like Father Pierre DeSmet, were even renowned figures in frontier history, writing influential books, creating early maps, and documenting Native American customs and culture.

In 1976, with the help of his brother William, Heithaus established the nonprofit St. Stanislaus Historical Museum Society, aiming to preserve and display items from the seminary’s past as well as artifacts related to the frontier history of Florissant and Hazelwood. Operating out of the three-story Rock Building, the museum society carefully tended to its large and diverse collection, which included rare antique books, Renaissance paintings, Navajo rugs, Colonial tools, and garments worn by Father DeSmet himself.

Like a place stuck in time, the Rock Building was also preserved, looking much as it had when the Jesuits lived there. Visitors could see the priests’ dining hall and spartan bedrooms, along with tools, furniture, cigars and other items that they used in their daily lives. For 25 years, “The Museum of Western Jesuit Missions,” as it was known, offered a rare and fascinating glance at monastic and missionary life in the 19^th and 20^th centuries. It was a true North County treasure – until 2002.

Father Pierre DeSmet, who was said to travel 200,000 miles over the course of his missionary journeys, posing with men from four Native American tribes

That was the year Father Lawrence Biondi decided that the museum’s collection belonged not at the Rock Building, where it had genuine historical relevance, but at the Jesuit-run St. Louis University. Though the St. Stanislaus Historical Museum Society had been solely responsible for the collection’s preservation, Biondi wanted to showcase the artifacts at SLU, so he compelled the Jesuit order to sue the museum society, and unfortunately, the Jesuits won.

In 2003, approximately three-fourths of the museum’s holdings (including its most valuable pieces) were moved to SLU. That same year, the remains of Father DeSmet and other frontier Jesuits were removed from their graves at St. Stanislaus and reinterred at Calvary Cemetery.

By all accounts, it was a sad time for the museum society, and some questioned whether the group would continue. For a while, they displayed some of their remaining artifacts at St. Ferdinand Shrine in Old Town Florissant. But in 2007, they were kindly gifted with a new home: a pre-1860 farmhouse on Charbonier Road, adjacent to rolling fields that were once part of St. Stanislaus. The museum still operates there today.

One of the original beds from St. Stanislaus Seminary is on display at St. Stanislaus Museum, along with other Jesuit artifacts.

Gone are the priceless 17^th-century globes and DeSmet cassock that were highlights of the Rock House. But in their place, the museum society has embraced the pastoral, old-timey feel of its new locale and put more emphasis on the Jesuits’ self-sufficient lifestyle. Within sight of the former St. Stanislaus bell tower, museum board members maintain a working chicken coop and large vegetable garden. They also invite period reenactors to camp on-site and to talk about the tools and skills that were necessary in frontier times.

“I love that we’re promoting the idea of self-sufficiency,” says museum board secretary, Pat Jackson. “We’ve planted fruit trees here, and some of our board members do canning. I think we’re showing people a little bit of what it was like at St. Stanislaus, where the priests did everything for themselves.”

Board members harvest eggs and grow vegetables on the grounds of the museum.

Inside the museum, Jackson and other board members have used a handful of key pieces from the Rock House to fashion exhibits. One room boasts Father DeSmet’s own desk, as well as crosses and relics that he and other Jesuits gave to Native Americans. Another room features an original bed from the seminary, accented by simple wooden kneelers that the priests used for prayer and study.

“The furniture we were left with tells a story,” Jackson says. “And what’s nice about this house is that we can arrange the furniture how it might have been used – a desk in the study, chairs and a table in the dining room. It helps you understand the context.”

Upstairs, the museum’s oldest artifacts – textiles from 400-800AD – crown a room already brimming with Native American treasures, most of which were found in North County. “Because of the confluence, this area drew Native Americans from all over the place,” Jackson says. “It’s easier to say which tribes didn’t come here, there were so many.”

The museum displays Native American pottery, arrowheads, jewelry and other items, including artifacts recovered at burial sites on Charbonier Bluff. It also touches on the Lewis and Clark expedition, with frontier-style clothing and fur trapping gear shown beside Native American artwork and early photos of the area.

St. Stanislaus is not a large museum, at least not now. But it’s definitely worth a visit. Its growing collection paints a vibrant picture of what life was like, both at St. Stanislaus Seminary and in frontier North County. And if you come this Sunday, period reenactors will add another layer of interest to this already interesting place, setting up camp outside the museum during Florissant’s Christmas House Tour.

St. Stanislaus Museum, 3030 Charbonier Road, is open every Sunday, 1pm – 4pm. Except for this Sunday, when house tour tickets are $10, admission is free. For more info, call (314) 837-3525.

The entrance to St. Stanislaus Museum is through the back door of this charming pre-Civil War farmhouse at 3030 Charbonier Road.

See that speck of a tower at the top of the hill? The challenging hike up there, to Charbonier Bluff, is a one-of-a-kind North County delight.

If you think the Gateway Arch is tall, imagine climbing up it…plus another 25 feet. That’s what you get when you hike to the top of Charbonier Bluff, the 655-foot historical and natural wonder that remains one of North County’s finest treasures and best kept secrets.

For more than 1,000 years, “La Charbonniere” (meaning “coal hill”) has served as a familiar landmark along the lower Missouri River, playing an important role in the lives of early pioneers and Native Americans. It was here that St. Rose Philippine Duchesne disembarked in 1819, preparing to establish a Native American Catholic school.

In May 1804, William Clark (of the Lewis & Clark expedition) described Charbonier Bluff in his journal: “The next morning we set sail at five o’clock. At the distance of a few miles, we passed a remarkably large coal hill, called by the French ‘La Charbonniere.’”

Even before that – long before that – the bluff was considered a sacred place for Native Americans. Burial grounds have been found in several areas there, including beneath two mounds (similar to those in Cahokia, IL) dating to the Mississippian period, 800-1400 A.D.

A short paved trail at the base of Charbonier Bluff, in the St. Stanislaus Conservation Area

One mound was partially excavated in 1837 by students from St. Stanislaus Seminary, which once leased Charbonier Bluff and built several buildings on it, including a chapel directly atop the excavated mound. The ruins of that chapel and other seminary structures can still be seen today, if you look hard enough.

On the other side of the bluff, just east of where Charbonier Creek and the Missouri River converge, evidence of two Native American villages also remains – just one reason why Charbonier Bluff was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995, largely due to the efforts of local resident Christy Love.

Most of the hikers who trek there probably don’t know that (or care), but that’s ok, because the bluff offers plenty of natural joys to see. In addition to lush woodlands, rolling streams and abundant wildlife at its base, if you can make it to the top of Charbonier Bluff, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views in nearly every direction.

I would post a photo of those views, including a gorgeous shot I took of downtown St. Louis, but I think it’s so much better if you earn it yourself. Both the journey and the destination are well worth the effort.

This is actually a great time to visit Charbonier Bluff, because the vegetation has died back, but be cautious if you go. During deer season, hunters are not uncommon in the surrounding river bottoms, and a portion of the bluff rests on private property, where trespassing is not appreciated. Please note that it is also illegal to disturb any of the archaeological sites.

Within St. Stanislaus Conservation Area, where most of Charbonier Bluff is located, you can enjoy 3.5 miles of gloriously primitive (and often steep) trails, some leading to the river, plus a half-mile paved loop trail, a small picnic area and dozens of nice, peaceful spots for fishing and bird watching. If you’re coming from Shackelford Rd, St. Stan’s parking lot will be about 2.8 miles down Charbonier Rd on the right. Just before it, on the left, is another small parking lot, which offers the most direct access to the bluff itself.

So what are you waiting for? Get hiking! And be sure to savor the view from one of the highest points in St. Louis County. Charbonier Bluff and the St. Stanislaus Conservation Area are open every day, 4am to 10pm.

Park in the lot across from this gate on Charbonier Rd, then take the trail that heads to the right, slowly winding your way up the bluff.