The “Roaring 20’s” was a time between the heyday of the World’s Fair and the gloom of the Great Depression. It coincided with the Prohibition era, which took its toll on breweries, while many other sectors prospered.
St. Louis was the 6th largest city in the U.S. and an industrial powerhouse. From stoves and automobiles to bricks and textiles, the River City was a hub of manufacturing and activity. Trolleys, double-decker buses, and pedestrians filled the streets. Many now-famous buildings were under construction. And unforgettable firsts, like a Trans-Atlantic flight and World Series win, were about to make the history books.
The transportation industry was humming along in the 1920s. In downtown St. Louis, Union Station was a central commuter rail hub that served 50,000 passengers each day. Streetcars were being manufactured, and lines were developed. And automobile production was well-represented in St. Louis, with smaller local ventures, as well as assembly plants for industry leaders like Ford.
Big things were happening in aviation, too. In 1925, Major Albert Bond Lambert, who served in the Army during WWI, bought the property that would become Lambert International Airport. Famed aviator Charles Lindbergh flew out of Lambert Airport to courier mail between Chicago and St. Louis, and this venture served as the foundation for American Airlines. Lindbergh went on to become the first person to fly over the Atlantic Ocean nonstop. Local businessmen sponsored the endeavor, which included naming the plane “The Spirit of St. Louis.” After this historic flight from New York to Paris, over 100,000 people gathered at Art Hill in Forest Park and welcomed Lindbergh home.
The prosperous 1920s also ushered in a period of extensive residential and commercial development. Areas like the Central West End saw the rise of opulent architecture for apartment and hotel buildings, including the Chase Park Plaza. Other notable projects from that decade include downtown’s Southwestern Bell building, the St. Louis Arena, and the Mayfair Hotel. More grand structures erected in the 1920s include the Scottish Rite Cathedral, New Masonic Temple, Fabulous Fox Theatre, and the St. Louis Theater – now known as Powell Hall.
A century ago, St. Louis was a leader in production and manufacturing. Iron and steel from foundries were used to make pipes, stoves, and tools. More booming industries included automobiles, electrical goods, shoes, and textiles. Wool, lumber, and tobacco processing were also thriving sectors. This diversity served the city well during the decade.
Local entrepreneurs were busy during the 1920s. Charles Leiper Grigg came up with his formula for “Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda.” Thankfully, the name was later shortened to 7-Up. In 1928, a St. Louis pharmacist named Jim Howe was on a quest to treat his wife’s indigestion; his dedication led to the TUMS antacid still being produced today. And a local treat created in 1929 has stood the (taste) test of time, with Ted Drewes Frozen Custard.
Cardinals baseball saw a World Series victory in 1926 with Rogers Hornsby at the helm. Replacing Branch Rickey, Hornsby was named player-manager of the Cards. His personal success – achieving a .403 batting average and .756 slugging percentage – energized fans at Sportsman’s Park. And his no-nonsense managing style helped secure the World Series win.
St. Louis flourished in art, education and culture. Jazz and Blues music filled the air, as the city was a major hotspot for musicians traveling through the country. Vaudeville and films entertained patrons at the Midtown Theatre and Arts District. St. Louis public schools were considered some of the finest, while Saint Louis University and Washington University earned national fame as medical schools. KMOX radio went on the air in 1928, and the St. Louis American newspaper began publication the same year.
St. Louis experienced rapid growth and progress during the 1920s – but it was also a time of social changes. While the city saw many benefits from new industry and infrastructure, racial segregation was on the rise, and the Great Depression was looming. What came next was a new decade of severe economic downturn.
