Decades 1970-1980 | Living St. Louis

In this episode of Decades, we look back at the the demolition of Pruitt-Igoe, urban decline, the city/county rift, historic preservation, and more.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
01:40 Changes in Neighborhoods and Downtown
07:16 Demolition of Pruitt-Igoe
07:41 East St. Louis
09:16 Lafayette Square
10:52 St. Louis Board of Education and Desegregation
13:38 City and County Split
14:20 Closing of Homer G. Phillips Hospital
16:10 Buildings Torn Down
17:24 Preservation Movement
20:00 Tourist Attractions: The Arch and Six Flags
22:21 St. Louis' Historical Foundation
23:41 Union Station
25:30 Outro

[@QuaaludeCharlie]

I also remember the St . Louis of 1970-1980 as I was born Here in 1967 and Started School in 1975 . Growing up in St. Louis in those days was both a blessing and a Curse so there was a balance , I would not have wanted to grow up in any other place at that Time :) QC

[@lindadorman2869]

My parents moved from University City to Creve Coeur in 1963 when I was 3 years old. Decades later, I rented my first apartment in Lafayette Square, a 3-room unit in a 4-flat, for $175/month with no A/C, an old Magic Chef stove and clawfoot tub. I loved the historic feel and fixed it up as much as I could. Friends bought run-down homes and renovated them. It was a time of hope and renewal. I left St. Louis in 1988 and haven't been back since but I still think of it as my home town.

[@langhamp8912]

Just in the past 12 or so years, nice houses in Tower Grove that were going for 80K are now going for 400K. And Lafayette Square...that's where all the rich urbanists live. All those houses are going for 800K and often way above. 12 years ago Tower Grove/Lafayette and Central West End were all a bit grungy but now it's extremely gentrified. Even the guys being all ghetto...you talk to them and, oh, they're all college educated making great money. It's all shockingly flush with the newly rich and educated. Every year that goes by it feels almost absurd how well St Louis is doing.

[@kdiva2780]

Thank you for shedding light on some important history of St Louis. This history still shapes it to this day.

[@NinePBS]

Our pleasure, thanks for watching!

[@mellitrom629]

might be cool to see up to 2000 now

[@jeffwebb2966]

We have lost many many great buildings, but we should be happy that we have saved as much as we have..

[@jeffwebb2966]

It's amazing we were able to save as much as we have given the idea of urban renewal. Good thing we did.

[@NealDurando]

Fiercely-defended enclaves explained with a patina of civic pride for an illusory city seems the future for most of America.

[@jeffking4176]

I was born and raised in U.City 1961-1980’s. I’ve watched all 8 of these episodes. Well done. But the thought that the 1980’s [ or even 1990’s] is not “History “, seems somewhat ridiculous. It is now 2024. 1984 was 40 years ago. And these videos are still around. What about someone watching these videos in 2034❓ I’d love to see this series expanded in both directions. Start with the 1880’s[ or even earlier, say just after the Civil War ] -right through into the 21st Century❗️ St. Louis is a very interesting city with quite a history. Both good and bad. 📻🙂

[@paceflchick]

My parents bought in Florissant. Then moved to unincorporated Ballwin 1965, I was born. Great, grest childhood. 1970s, was awesome, Six Flags, concerts, parks, the Zoo, Powell Symphony Hall, Jewel box. Lots of snow

[@midwestgrammar2941]

I remember the St Louis Center Mall when it first opened. That place was busy like the St Louis Mills. I also remember the arcade store down the street from my mom house before they came out with Nintendo. The place still there on the Northside

[@AustriaGermany]

great video

[@jacquelinejackson4067]

Magnificent. Totally enjoyable, inspiring to see the beauty and magnificent of a city.

[@lucken13]

See my childhood buddy, Andrew Theising in the video, love it!!! 🥰🥰

[@ajstrippgen5637]

very nice video. I remember as a child we would drive to relatives house in North St. Louis County going west on Highway 70 along the highway in our city look like a war zone from World War II!

[@user-zx8de8op9l]

Well done

[@ramencurry6672]

Visited St. Louis for the first time last week. I liked it. Interesting city. I rank it in the top 10 U.S. cities.

[@robdiddat6119]

I’m from stl and I gotta be honest. If you not here for work, u not gone have fun

[@patrickschneider1289]

Just watch out for thugs * and you may enter at your own risk !!

[@Alex-wx8be]

St. Louis has a lot to offer however there are areas to really avoid, and high taxes are a big downside.

[@marybertel3915]

​@patrickschneider1289

[@CJColvin]

The city of St.Louis is a real hoodrat infested area.

[@chicagonorthcoast]

I remember reading of that Rand study in 1974, and it angered me. Corporations based their decisions on that study, and it was clear that our city had entered the Loop of Doom.

[@jeffwebb2966]

Good thing all of the stadiums are here. Otherwise nobody would come downtown from the suburbs

[@andihutson8512]

Anything past the 70's doesn't seem like history??

[@yautja02]

I know this is an old comment, but I thought the same thing as you. I think the original documentary was made in 1999 and then updated in 2014. The end credits have those two dates.

[@mdmarko]

Just a shame to see how far a once-great city has sunk.

[@CJColvin]

That's what happens when you secede from St.Louis County in 1877.

[@CJColvin]

The 1970s is also the high peak of the Muscle Car era and the era of the oil embargo.

[@brianchase9251]

Pruitt-Igoe was a disaster. Big, brand new, beautiful buildings that began being destroyed almost from the day the first residents began moving in. Remember PI in the 60s? Vietnam was safer and in better condition.

[@brittneywilliams2730]

What has changed????? 🧐🤔🤨

[@Joles0]

What ancient Black metropolis existed across the Mississippi from St. Louis area

[@mellitrom629]

idk about black but cahokia mounds is ancient

[@edljnehan2811]

East st. Louis

[@rhysxk]

The people who built the Cahokia mounds were native Americans, not black. Learn real history instead of lying gibberish.

[@Joles0]

@@rhysxk You read " They Came Before Columbus" by Ivan Van Sertima. Relax...

[@leeatterberry1239]

It would be promising if when the people who are there aren't promising leave

[@stevehall7555]

🥲

[@zonilo1]

Compare this to now, let's just say we're already way pass Capitalism's peak era circa 1970s-early 2000s and now everything is getting increasingly dilapidated. Of course Union Station is now just a mediocre aquarium that doesn't meet the high quality standards like Shedd in Chicago.

[@lorih9182]

More propaganda from PBS. I quit donating money to them 10 or more years ago. I used to donate regularly. Not anymore.

[@patrickschneider1289]

The city has no future , corrupt politicians , poor services, greed , poor school boards, have all ruined neighborhoods , churches have closed , people & families have moved away ,

[@cknorris3644]

Uh no...diversity ruined St. Louis.

[@hatzlmike1]

hate democrat pigs rapists always. Lincoln was right.

[@jeffwebb2966]

I think the city has a great future. More cities in the county are in bigger trouble

[@jeffwebb2966]

Go live somewhere else then please.

[@zonilo1]

​​@@cknorris3644 Bigots like you ruined this entire country.

[@paulaharrisbaca4851]

You know, in San Francisco a member of the Boatd of Supervisors was so disgusted by the way a bunch of white liberal middle aged women were running the city decided to start a tour you could book to see the decline of the downtown areas ever since the Democrats (beginning with Mayor Newsom, the man who told the entire state that "it's gonna happen whether you like it or not" re gay marriage when the entire state overwhelmingly voted against it, the Obama voters)... anyway he escorted tour groups through the nastiest and grossest areas of the City and they kicked him off the Board because they felt he gave a negative image of San Francisco.

[@CJColvin]

Folks, this what happens when you vote Democrat.

[@hatzlmike1]

VOTE REPUBLICAN

[@jeffwebb2966]

Vote people who are good regardless of party

[@rhysxk]

If you vote Republican, you’re probably a racist and should remove yourself from the gene pool.

[@CJColvin]

Amen brother, Trump 2024!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@frankiesayrelax100]

B O R I M G. At least add some disco musak and footage of screaming black people.

[@paisley1134]

Hmmm, you know the name of these documentaries are very decieving ! I thought it was going to be all about StLouis, not 95% segregation. Segregation is a important part of history but there was so much more going on. What about the building and expansion of Jefferson Barracks? What about Soulard Market? What about the building and expansion of that magnificent Zoo? You breeze across 6 flags at most. Should be called the segregation of SL.

[@dianahohimer1107]

Agree. I'm just here for the memories. :)

[@jeffsummstl]

You could easily do a series for each decade.

[@helmetboy431]

it’s just kinda da about the downfall of st. louis which that was a huge part of it however i do think the title sort of misleading ig but that is still a part of st. louis history during that period of time