50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ has more than 7,000 vacant buildings, the city estimates.
Some are distinctive, sturdy brick structures that, under the right circumstances, could be candidates for rehabilitation. Others are modest structures that have long outlived their purpose. And many have stood empty and unsecured for so long that restoration is impractical.Ìý
No matter their condition, each of these buildings has a story — even if it's known only to the people who lived in them.
A search of the archives of the Post-Dispatch and yielded a handful of old photographs of a few of the buildings currently on the city's list of vacant buildings.
Curious, we wanted to see what they looked like today — and figured you would too.
Most of these buildings areÌýÌýproperties.ÌýThe rest are privately held, including the collapsing structure on Glasgow Avenue, which is owned by developer Paul McKee's NorthSide Regeneration LLC.Ìý
Want to learn more? A recently launched website shows vacant and abandoned buildings in the city of 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ. To search it, go to Ìý
DeSoto Avenue - 1931
A 1931 photo of 2101 DeSoto Avenue in the College Hill neighborhood of north 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ. Built in 1893, the building is a single-family, two-story frame structure. Many residential buildings in 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ are built of brick; frame homes are unusual. (Photo courtesy of the Missouri Historical Society)
A photo of 2101 DeSoto Avenue in the College Hill neighborhood of north 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ taken on July 15, 2018. Built in 1893, this single-family, two-story frame building has been vacant for 11 years. One of two structures left on that block, it's barely recognizable today covered in old siding and missing its front porch. (Post-Dispatch)
It's one of the last survivors on its block in the College Hill neighborhood.
DeSoto Avenue - 1931
A 1931 photo of 2101 DeSoto Avenue in the College Hill neighborhood of north 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ. Built in 1893, the building is a single-family, two-story frame structure. Many residential buildings in 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ are built of brick; frame homes are unusual. (Photo courtesy of the Missouri Historical Society)
DeSoto Avenue - 2018
A photo of 2101 DeSoto Avenue in the College Hill neighborhood of north 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ taken on July 15, 2018. Built in 1893, this single-family, two-story frame building has been vacant for 11 years. One of two structures left on that block, it's barely recognizable today covered in old siding and missing its front porch. (Post-Dispatch)
2337 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ Avenue - 1890s
An 1890s-era photo of 2337 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ Avenue in the 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ Place neighborhood of 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ. This stately single-family, three-story brick building was built in 1879. Around the turn of the century, it was owned by Charles S. Brown, president of the Hall and Brown Machine Co., a widely known maker of woodworking machinery. In 1903, Brown and his wife were traveling in Europe when they received news that their son had died from pneumonia at the residence. (Photo courtesy of the Missouri Historical Society)
The building at 2337 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ Avenue in the 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ Place neighborhood of 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ. At the time it was photographed on July 15, 2018, it had been vacantÌýfor about three years, according to city records. (In 2020, the new owner recorded a tour of the home, ) (Post-Dispatch)
This 139-year-old home is located near the new western headquarters of the NGA.
2337 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ Avenue - 1890s
An 1890s-era photo of 2337 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ Avenue in the 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ Place neighborhood of 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ. This stately single-family, three-story brick building was built in 1879. Around the turn of the century, it was owned by Charles S. Brown, president of the Hall and Brown Machine Co., a widely known maker of woodworking machinery. In 1903, Brown and his wife were traveling in Europe when they received news that their son had died from pneumonia at the residence. (Photo courtesy of the Missouri Historical Society)
2337 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ Avenue - 2018
The building at 2337 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ Avenue in the 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ Place neighborhood of 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ. At the time it was photographed on July 15, 2018, it had been vacantÌýfor about three years, according to city records. (In 2020, the new owner recorded a tour of the home, ) (Post-Dispatch)
5339 Cote Brilliante Avenue - 1934
This single-family, two-story brick building was built in 1896 at 5339 Cote Brilliante Avenue. During the height of the Depression, the residence was advertised in the Post-Dispatch as "The Biggest Bargain Ever Offered," with a list price of $4,350. That's equivalent to about $81,250 today. LRA lists the property for $1,000. (Photo courtesy of the Missouri Historical Society)
5339 Cote Brilliante Avenue, photographed on July 14, 2018, is among more than 600 vacant buildings in the Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood of 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ. It has been vacant for two years, according to city records. (Post-Dispatch)
This building is among more than 600 vacants in the Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood.
5339 Cote Brilliante Avenue - 1934
This single-family, two-story brick building was built in 1896 at 5339 Cote Brilliante Avenue. During the height of the Depression, the residence was advertised in the Post-Dispatch as "The Biggest Bargain Ever Offered," with a list price of $4,350. That's equivalent to about $81,250 today. LRA lists the property for $1,000. (Photo courtesy of the Missouri Historical Society)
5339 Cote Brilliante Avenue - 2018
5339 Cote Brilliante Avenue, photographed on July 14, 2018, is among more than 600 vacant buildings in the Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood of 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ. It has been vacant for two years, according to city records. (Post-Dispatch)
2611 Glasgow Avenue - 1987
A 1987 photo of 2611 Glasgow Avenue, built in 1893, in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood.Ìý In July 1987, juvenile authorities rescued 13 children, ranging in age from 2 months to 15 years from the structure, which had no electricity or running water. They were among 18 children and three adults who lived there, the Post-Dispatch reported. (Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr./Post-Dispatch)
This photo of 2611 Glasgow Avenue in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood of 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ taken on July 14, 2018. This two-family, two-story brick structure has been vacant for 27 years, according to city records. It's been condemned. (Post-Dispatch)
This building, which is partially collapsed, hasn't been occupied in the past 27 years.Ìý
2611 Glasgow Avenue - 1987
A 1987 photo of 2611 Glasgow Avenue, built in 1893, in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood.Ìý In July 1987, juvenile authorities rescued 13 children, ranging in age from 2 months to 15 years from the structure, which had no electricity or running water. They were among 18 children and three adults who lived there, the Post-Dispatch reported. (Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr./Post-Dispatch)
2611 Glasgow Avenue - 2018
This photo of 2611 Glasgow Avenue in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood of 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ taken on July 14, 2018. This two-family, two-story brick structure has been vacant for 27 years, according to city records. It's been condemned. (Post-Dispatch)
2807 Stoddard Street - 1973
A photo of 2807 Stoddard Street (left) in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood, taken in 1973. This single-family, two-story brick building was built in 1891. (Photo by Wayne Crosslin/Post-Dispatch)
This photo of 2807 Stoddard Street in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood was taken on July 14, 2018. City records show it's been vacant for the past six years and has been structurally condemned. But it's not the first time it's been a problem property: In 1960, city building inspectors ordered 11 people to vacate the building because of "almost unbelievable" sanitary conditions, including an accumulation of rubbish in the attic "and sewage two feet deep in the basement." LRA lists it for $1,000. (Post-Dispatch)
This building, vacant for the past six years, was a problem property in 1960.
2807 Stoddard Street - 1973
A photo of 2807 Stoddard Street (left) in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood, taken in 1973. This single-family, two-story brick building was built in 1891. (Photo by Wayne Crosslin/Post-Dispatch)
2807 Stoddard Street - 2018
This photo of 2807 Stoddard Street in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood was taken on July 14, 2018. City records show it's been vacant for the past six years and has been structurally condemned. But it's not the first time it's been a problem property: In 1960, city building inspectors ordered 11 people to vacate the building because of "almost unbelievable" sanitary conditions, including an accumulation of rubbish in the attic "and sewage two feet deep in the basement." LRA lists it for $1,000. (Post-Dispatch)
4144 Maffitt Avenue - 1979
A photo of 4144 Maffitt Avenue in The Ville neighborhood of 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ, taken in 1979. (Photo by Ted Dargan/Post-Dispatch)
A photo of 4144 Maffitt Avenue, taken on July 14, 2018. This two-family, two-story brick building was built in 1908. It's been owned by LRA for five years; it's been vacant for three. The residence was featured in a 1979 Post-Dispatch story as an example of properties renovated through a program that granted state tax credits to corporations that made donations to nonprofit groups. LRA currently lists the property for $2,000. Maffitt, a street of sturdy, good-looking brick homes, is one hit hard by vacancies. Between Prairie and Euclid avenues, city records show about 90 vacant buildings and 120 vacant lots. (Post-Dispatch)
This building is typical for Maffitt, a street of sturdy brick homes, but many vacancies.
4144 Maffitt Avenue - 1979
A photo of 4144 Maffitt Avenue in The Ville neighborhood of 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ, taken in 1979. (Photo by Ted Dargan/Post-Dispatch)
4144 Maffitt Avenue - 2018
A photo of 4144 Maffitt Avenue, taken on July 14, 2018. This two-family, two-story brick building was built in 1908. It's been owned by LRA for five years; it's been vacant for three. The residence was featured in a 1979 Post-Dispatch story as an example of properties renovated through a program that granted state tax credits to corporations that made donations to nonprofit groups. LRA currently lists the property for $2,000. Maffitt, a street of sturdy, good-looking brick homes, is one hit hard by vacancies. Between Prairie and Euclid avenues, city records show about 90 vacant buildings and 120 vacant lots. (Post-Dispatch)
4941 Ashby Avenue - 1982
The Post-Dispatch featured the 4900 block of Ashby, including this house at 4941 Ashby, in a 1982 story about plans by then-Mayor Vincent C. Schoemehl Jr. to mount a "major campaign" to "help stop urban blight." (Photo by Karen Elshout/Post-Dispatch)
The property at 4951 Ashby Avenue in the Mark Twain neighborhood of 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ, photographed on July 15, 2018, was built in 1923 and has been vacant about six years. (Post-Dispatch)
Built 95 years ago, this building has been vacant about six years, city records show.
4941 Ashby Avenue - 1982
The Post-Dispatch featured the 4900 block of Ashby, including this house at 4941 Ashby, in a 1982 story about plans by then-Mayor Vincent C. Schoemehl Jr. to mount a "major campaign" to "help stop urban blight." (Photo by Karen Elshout/Post-Dispatch)
4951 Ashby Avenue - 2018
The property at 4951 Ashby Avenue in the Mark Twain neighborhood of 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ, photographed on July 15, 2018, was built in 1923 and has been vacant about six years. (Post-Dispatch)
4712 Kensington Place - 1941
In this streetscape of Kensington Place and Marcus Avenue in the Lewis Place neighborhood, taken in 1941, 4712 Kensington is among the row of buildings on the left. It's about one mile to the east of now-demolished 5315 Kensington Avenue, the home of Sally Benson, the author of "Meet Me in 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ." (Post-Dispatch)
Today, the scene at the intersection of Kensington Place and Marcus Avenue has fewer buildings, and the ones that are left, such as 4712 Kensington, are vacant. The two-family, two-story brick building, now painted white, was built in 1894, and is listed for $2,000 by LRA. Photo taken on July 14, 2018. (Post-Dispatch)
Weed-filled vacant lots and empty buildings dominate this corner of Lewis Place today.
4712 Kensington Place - 1941
In this streetscape of Kensington Place and Marcus Avenue in the Lewis Place neighborhood, taken in 1941, 4712 Kensington is among the row of buildings on the left. It's about one mile to the east of now-demolished 5315 Kensington Avenue, the home of Sally Benson, the author of "Meet Me in 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ." (Post-Dispatch)
4712 Kensington Place - 2018
Today, the scene at the intersection of Kensington Place and Marcus Avenue has fewer buildings, and the ones that are left, such as 4712 Kensington, are vacant. The two-family, two-story brick building, now painted white, was built in 1894, and is listed for $2,000 by LRA. Photo taken on July 14, 2018. (Post-Dispatch)
2710 N. Newstead Avenue - 1971
The residence at 2710 North Newstead Avenue appears at the left of this 1971 photo that accompanied a Post-Dispatch story on neighborhood concerns about a deserted building on the block. The building was constructed in 1891. (Post-Dispatch files)
This photo of 2710 North Newstead Avenue in The Ville neighborhood of 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ was taken on July 14, 2018. It's been vacant for 25 years and owned by LRA for 22. (Post-Dispatch)
This modest home, built 127 years ago, has been vacant for a quarter century.
2710 N. Newstead Avenue - 1971
The residence at 2710 North Newstead Avenue appears at the left of this 1971 photo that accompanied a Post-Dispatch story on neighborhood concerns about a deserted building on the block. The building was constructed in 1891. (Post-Dispatch files)
2710 North Newstead Avenue - 2018
This photo of 2710 North Newstead Avenue in The Ville neighborhood of 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ was taken on July 14, 2018. It's been vacant for 25 years and owned by LRA for 22. (Post-Dispatch)
4013 Shreve Avenue - 1940s
An archival photo of 4013 Shreve Avenue in the Penrose neighborhood, taken in the 1940s. This two-family, two-story brick building was built in 1890, according to city records. (Photo courtesy of the Missouri Historical Society)
A photo of 4013 Shreve Avenue in the Penrose neighborhood, taken on July 14, 2018. This two-family, two-story brick building, built in 1890, has been vacant for 11 years, according to city records.(Post-Dispatch)
This two-family brick building in the Penrose neighborhood has been around for 128 years.
4013 Shreve Avenue - 1940s
An archival photo of 4013 Shreve Avenue in the Penrose neighborhood, taken in the 1940s. This two-family, two-story brick building was built in 1890, according to city records. (Photo courtesy of the Missouri Historical Society)
4013 Shreve Avenue - 2018
A photo of 4013 Shreve Avenue in the Penrose neighborhood, taken on July 14, 2018. This two-family, two-story brick building, built in 1890, has been vacant for 11 years, according to city records.(Post-Dispatch)