History of the Lou - 97.1 FM Talk

Yes, it is the 150th anniversary of the publication of Mark Twain's book, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer." Amanda Clark, Public Historian at the Missouri Historical Society drops by to talk about that, the author's connections to St. Louis, and more. She and Sue discuss everything from the islands that used to be in the Mississippi to the Eads Bridge, to what granite has to do with the riverfront....

St. Louis native Dennis Brown has some great stories. A former theater critic for The Riverfront Times, he has had a very interesting career himself, working on "Murder She Wrote" among other things! Brown has written a new book entitled, "Stage Page", and he joins Sue to talk about it, his intriguing career, and St. Louis theater. Oh, and Gregory Peck.

Did you know that Rawlings has been a St. Louis company since 1887? Oh, yes. It is in Maryland Heights today. Author Ed Wheatley is back, this time talking about his new book about Rawlings, the history of baseball gloves, and some iconic players who used them. The book is entitled, "The Finest in the Field" A History of Baseball Through 50 Iconic Gloves" with a forward by Johnny Bench. What were...

Yep. He did a show here near the Central Library building downtown in 1893, in association with the National Electric Light Association convention that was in town. People crowded into the building at Locust and Olive, and tickets were being scalped outside for crazy amounts of money. Fast forward to today...two local brothers, Mark and John Rogers have written an original rock opera called "Nikol...

2026 marks the 150th anniversary of the amazing Forest Park. Co-authors of the new book, "Forest Park - St. Louis' Gathering Place Since 1876" Amanda Doyle and Cameron Collins join Sue for a discussion about the beginnings of the park (it was originally supposed to be 3000 acres) and the changes it has undergone in the last century and a half. There's even a story involving a camel!

Every Memorial Day weekend, The Assumption Greek Orthodox Church on Des Peres Road hosts its annual Greek Fest. Long-time member Tony Theranos stops by to talk with Sue about not only the festival itself, but also his own family's story, beginning with his father coming over from Greece in 1917 and eventually settling in St. Louis. Find out the purpose of Greek Fest, and why it is held on Memorial...

St. Louisan and independent journalist Jack Grone joins Sue to talk about the last 40 years of print (and other media) in St. Louis. Jack's journalism background is interesting in and of itself, and he and Sue went to high school together in Kirkwood, MO. Remember the St. Louis Sun? What happened to it? How were the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the St. Louis Globe-Democrat intertwined for awhile? T...

The Mother Road turns 100 this year, and the Missouri History Museum is putting on an impressive celebration. Join Public Historian Andrew Wanko as he talks to Sue about the history of Rt. 66, and what you can see locally and in Missouri if you decide to drive it yourself. Wanko co-directed an Emmy-winning documentary entitled, "Show Me 66: Main Street through Missouri" for Route 66's 90th anniver...

This week, City SC broadcaster and first-time author Joey Zanaboni joins Sue to talk about his book, "St. Louis Sports for Kids...Forever Lore in the 314". It's really a book for adults, too, covering 20 different sports and their histories in St. Louis. Relive some of the greatest sporting events tied to St. Louis, and some of the amazing athletes who were involved. To whom did Joey sell his firs...

When Scott Joplin lived in Sedalia before moving to St. Louis, he met Will and then John Stark, with whom he worked out a deal to publish his music. John Hancock, of Hancock and Kelly on KMOX is also a Scott Joplin expert (and pianist) who recently met Kyle Stark, a descendant of John Stark and they came in to tell the history of the collaboration. Amazing! Both Stark Publishing and Scott Joplin e...

For the history of Normandy in St. Louis County, a listener led Sue to Terry Gannon... a long-time Normandy resident and historian. Gannon explains not only the history (think 1800's and the Louisiana Purchase) of the city, but explains where names like Lucas and Hunt came from, and the origins of its FIVE golf courses. She also talks about the beautiful homes in Normandy and when UMSL came along.

Did you know that Dogtown isn't an official St. Louis City neighborhood? It is actually a combination of 4 separate ones, and dates back to the 1700s! Learn about the neighborhood's interesting history and how it got its name. In honor of upcoming St. Patrick's Day, Sue and Dogtown Historical Society President and life-long resident John Corbett also talk about the area's famous parade that is com...

The Federal Reserve in St. Louis is one of only 12 across the U.S...find out about its history, the building that it still occupies downtown, and much more. Did you know there used to be a 10-thousand-dollar bill? Or that our local fed shreds millions of dollars in used bills? Join Sue and three people from the Federal Reserve for this informative episode! Side note: they even have a MUSEUM at the...

One of the suburbs of St. Louis that shares a border with the City of St. Louis, Maplewood has an interesting history. Doug Houser, long-time Maplewood resident and author of "The First 100 Years of Maplewood" and "Maplewood History" joins Sue to talk about it everything from its beginning as farmland in the 1800's to the story of the "Upstairser" bowling alley in Saratoga Lanes to Maplewood today...

Carolyn Mueller Kelly has worked at the St. Louis Zoo for many years, and has just written a book called, "Amazing Missouri Animals". She and Sue talk about BOTH in this episode. Did you know that the birds with one of the best senses of smell in the world live in Missouri? Also, learn some of the history of the St. Louis Zoo, and about Destination Discovery (new Children's Zoo), and the new WildC...

Dan O'Neill, longtime writer at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, wrote a book by that name and he joined me this week to talk about it. I didn't even know there WAS a Horseshoe-Pitching Hall of Fame, let alone that it was nearby. And did you know that the St. Louis Post-Dispatch was the first to report the sinking of the Titanic? I didn't and it is an amazing story...Sue

Erkers is one of the oldest businesses in St. Louis, opening in 1879! It is now run by this week's guests, Tony and Jack Erker...the FIFTH generation of the family. From being the official photographers at the 1904 World's Fair, to making the goggles for Charles Lindbergh for his historic solo flight in the Spirit of St. Louis from New York to Paris, Erker's has an amazing history. Wait until you...

If you've ever exited eastbound 44 onto Jamieson, perhaps on your way to Ted Drewes, you have been in the Lindenwood Park neighborhood and seen the park itself! A newer neighborhood than ones like Holly Hills, Lindenwood has an interesting history of its own. Local resident and author Jay Unnerstall has written a book about it that includes 4 different walking tours, and he joins Sue to talk about...

The first steamboat arrived in St. Louis in 1817 and had a big impact on the area. Vicki and Jim Erwin, authors of "Steamboat Disasters of the Lower Missouri River" join Sue to talk about the boats themselves, the rivers, the people, and the disasters. It is quite a story!

If you've not heard of the Mill Creek neighborhood in St. Louis, it may be because it no longer exists. Hear the story of the neighborhood that once was home to 20,000 residents and 800 businesses and was the center of black life in St. Louis from the early 1900s to 1959. Gwen Moore, Curator at the Missouri Historical Society, joins Sue to tell the story of the neighborhood she once lived in, the...

Vicki and Jim Erwin have written a book with this title, and join Sue to talk about it. If you've got family or friends coming in for the holidays, you may get some ideas about where to go and what to do. They talk about everything from Lewis and Clark to the Missouri Civil War Museum, to the Campbell House and the National Museum of Transportation. There is something for everyone in our area!

Suzanne Corbett, food writer, culinary historian, and food ways interpreter (you'll have to listen to find out what that is!) covers a range of topics having to do with Thanksgiving...discover its connection to the military and one particular persistent woman. She also talks about the effect the military had on civilian meals. Oh, and she mentions former First Lady Bess Truman's Dressing Recipe wh...

Opened in 1937 to serve the African American community in St. Louis, Homer G. Phillips Hospital was beautiful and it had a nursing program attached to it that attracted students from all over the country. Candace O'Connor, author of "Climbing the Ladder, Chasing the Dream, The History of Homer G. Phillips Hospital" joins Sue along with some nurses who graduated from the nursing school and worked a...

Local historian, author, and Rte. 66 expert Joe Sonderman is back...this time to talk about the must-see stops along The Mother Road. He covers the places in St. Louis, and recommends some of his favorites not only within day-trip distance, but along the whole road.

This week, we learn about the origins of Art Deco style, and the many surprising and some not surprising) examples of it in St. Louis. Local historian, neighborhood expert, and author of many books about St. Louis, NiNi Harris joins Sue to talk about it. Learn where you can see examples of Art Deco that are still around today, and take a walking tour that Harris recommends!