BIBLIOGRAPHY ON DOGTOWN AND RELATED SUBJECTS

This is an ongoing project. I am trying to both identify sources and any location where they are available for consultation, and I'm trying to collect them into my own library for research purposes. I invited your participation and would appreciate knowing of any sources not listed here, and the availablity of any which I do not have in my own library, or the location of any locations where these materials may be seen or used. You may call me at home at 314-647-6704, or just e-mail me at:

Materials just indicated in black are in my own library in the original published version or its equivalent.

Materials whose first words are in this color red are materials I need in my library. I may have working copies in xerox form, but not the originals.

Materials whose first words are in this color are materials of which I know NO source of them. Any help in locating them would be appreciated.

  1. Anon.  BEST URBAN MYTH: HOW DOGTOWN GOT ITS NAME    Riverfront Times. September 25 - October 1, 2001. Page 9.
    Article lists a few candidates and evades the issue.
  2. A DARING EPLOIT OF REBELS
    An account from the Missouri Republican, Oct. 1, 1864, or the September 29, 1864 raid on the Cheltenham Post Office of August Muegge.
  3. Anon.  DO YOU KNOW DOGTOWN? An undated article from the "Observer" newspaper. Thanks to Henry Herbst for taking the time to transcribe this piece.

  4. Anon.  THE DOGTOWN NEWS.  Issues 1 through 6, March, April, May, August, November, December, 1945.
    These short newsletters (each 4 pages or fewer) were written about and for the Dogtown service men fighting in World War II. Each one is filled with news of awards, achievements, and even the death and wounding of Dogtown men. It includes features on various families of the neighborhood.
  5. Anon.  Father O'Connor is buried after St. James' Rite    St. Louis Register, August 8, 1952.
    This unsigned newspaper piece from the St. Louis Catholic paper tells the story of the Father O'Connor's funeral service.
  6. Anon.  FOREST PARK SOUTHWEST   St. Louis. Date unknown.
      An informative booklet of 8 pages. It was prepared b KMOX, Mercantile Bank and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, all in conjunction with the Missouri Historical Society. It contains a great deal of interesting and useful information, but only in short paragraph form.
  7. Anon.  In Boiling Water: Horrible Death of Henry E. Hart's Infant Son, James    St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Jan. 11, 1898.
    This short newspaper piece tells the story of the accidental scalding and death of a Dogtown boy in 1898. After the story is a short piece on the Hart family.
  8. Anon.  Magnetic Divice May Be Used To Hunt 70-Ton Ferris Wheel Axle    St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Jan. 25, 1943.
    This short newspaper piece is only marginally related to Dogtown. The main source of information is William Jones who resided at 1209 Childress was part of the team that helped bury it. He was working with city officials to help show them where this was in the park. There is a photo of Jones. Special thanks to  Maureen Brady  for this item.
  9. Anon.  The Pacific Railroad    The Republican, December 10, 1852.
    This important article recoreds the historic first train to Cheltenham when came on December 9, 1852
  10. Anon.  ST. JAMES THE GREATER CHURCH: 1861-1986  St. Louis: 1986.
    This booklet was published for the 125th anniversary of St. James Church. It contains great photographs of former pastors of St. James as well as a history of the church and lists of priests and nuns who have come from this parish.
  11. Barger, Dan.   "DOGTOWN: No Matter the Name, Neighborhood's Pride Shows   Neighborhood JOURNAL. Nov. 8, 1989. pp. 1 and 10.
    The article concerns the name of Dogtown and surveys peoples' feelings about it. The strongest theme is to suggest a complete ignorance of many people about the facts of this area's past. I have only a xerox copy of this article.
  12. Berns, Donald.   4 Generations Graced Gratiot House.  St. Louis Post-Dispatch. August 4, 1989. Section E1.
    Interesting article about the first home in the region, built in 1832, though often modified since. It stood until 1959 when it was destroyed by a tornado. Useful historical information in this article. I have only a xerox copy and would love a nicer copy + a digital copy of the 1913 photo of the Gratiot house. Where is the photo?
  13. Blattner, Julie    DOGTOWN U.S.A. -- CLAYTON AND TAMM AREA   Metro News, June 27, 1978.
    Interesting historical article centering on lots of theories of how Dogtown got it's name. The page included several ads of businesses in the area and I've included those ads.
  14. Bonwich, Joe    USING HIS NOODLE   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, September 16, 2003.
    Restaurant review of Spaghetteria Mama Mia
  15. Brennan, Dan and Steve Weaver    HARRY'S ST. LOUIS GUIDE TO TAVERNS, PUBS, SALOONS AND OTHER DRINKING ESTABLISHMENTS  
    A guide which has featured entries on McDermotts and O'Shea's. From 1980.
  16. Brophy, John R.    CLAY PRODUCTS HELP SPUR CITY'S EARLY GROWTH   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Feb. 1, 1978 An important article that focuses on the Highlands Fire Brick company and the work of the Thomas family. Includes the development of Stanford Ave. from Clayton to Oakland.
  17. Brown, Susan K.    DOGTOWN AREA LACKED SERVICE SINCE 1981   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 20, 1995.
    Story about the coming of the Marketplace Branch of the St. Louis Public Library
  18. Brunsmann, Sandra M.   EARLY IRISH SETTLERS IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI AND DOGTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD.  
    For more details of the book and order information See Sandra M. Brunsmann's home page
  19. Caesar, Dan    LEGALLY OR ILLEGALLY, ST. LOUISANS LIKED -- AND FOUND WAYS -- TO RISK A BUCK   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 24, 1999
    Some interesting mention of the horse race track on Bill Sublette's property in the Cheltenham area on Manchester Road in the 1840s
  20. Carlisle, Kiwi   DOGTOWN'S CAIRDEAS SERVES FRIENDSHIP IN A CUP   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 24, 2004.
    Quite positive review of Cairdeas Coffee House. Strong enough to likely attract some visitors to try it out.
  21. Clubb, Shawn    DOGTOWN HONORS 100-YEAR-OLD HOUSES   South City Journal, October 24, 2007
    Bill and Jerry Miller work to provide century home plaques for 100-year-old homes for the Dogtown Historical Society.
  22. Clubb, Shawn    MORE THAN BRICKS AND MORTAR   South City Journal, April 26, 2006
    Bob Corbett and two other St. Louisans from other neighborhoods are interviewed about the role of the brick industry in their areas.
  23. Clubb, Shawn    FORMER PROFESSOR VENTURES OUT AND SEEKS HIS POSSIBILITIES   South City Journal, April 26, 2006
    Bob Corbett and report Shawn Clubb walk in Forest Park while Clubb interviews Corbett on his life views and past.
  24. Clubb, Shawn    MEN THINK THEY HAVE FOUND TRUE ORIGIN OF "DOGTOWN" NAME    Southwest City Journal, June 19, 2007
    Tom Haller and Mike Gittins report on research into the name "Dogtown," a name rooted in clay miners of the area.
  25. Clubb, Shawn    RESTORATION HONORS CORNER MARKETS    Southwest City Journal, June 19, 2007
    John and Bob Corbett interviewed about ghost sign restoration project at 6771 Wise Ave.
  26. Clubb, Shawn    SEATS IN DOGTOWN PROVIDE REST FOR BARKING FEET   South City Journal, September 27, 2006
    Bob Corbett reports on the progress of the Dogtown Historical Society project of placing benches and talks of the new bench honoring Dogtown members of The St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame.
  27. Creighton, Jim    A FORGOTTEN LANDSCAPE OF ST. LOUIS   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 1, 1978.
    An excellent short history of the 19th century of Cheltenham
  28. DiMartino, Mike.    THE 'HIGHLANDS' WAS A HIGHLIGHT FOR FAMILIES   (Source unknown, but it seems to be St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
    Short nostalgic story that begins at the beginning and highlights the delights of the Highlands in its last years.
  29.     THE DOG TOWN DISPTACH: JULY 13, 1983  
    Neighborhood magazine. Features individual, ads for local businesses and more.
  30. Duffy, Robert W.    WILLIAM B. ITTNER: ARCHITECT'S BUILDINGS STAND FOR HIS VISION OF EDUCATION   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 30, 2003.
    A history of the architectural career of William B. Ittner, especially in building St. Louis Schools. Dewey School is not mentioned, however, that is one of the schools which he designed and built.
  31. Eardley, Linda   "Puttin' On The Glitz: Dogtown Dresses Up, Down For Hollywood"  St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Oct. 25, 1989. P. 3A.
    Brief report about house on Billon Ave. being used in film White Palace. What's interesting is the clear reference of a disagreement between the resident and the Clayton-Tamm Association. I have xerox copy only.
  32. Eiz, Ron   DOGTOWN HOUNDS HOWL ABOUT BOUNDARIES   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, September 11-12-13-16, 1986.
    This is a four part article published on 4 different days. It is no more than reports of neighborhood residents' memories or views of the name, but it makes interesting reading.
  33. Ellick, Ellen   PRINCE OF DOGTOWN: AUTHOR REVEALS STORIES ABOUT LIFE AT "CENTER OF UNIVERSE"   Southwest City Journal, March 5, 1995.
    Interview with and about the author of PRINCE OF DOGTOWN. There is no analysis of the book, but more an announcement of it and a bit about the author.
  34. Freivogel, William H.   RENO SEES POLICE AT WORK IN DOGTOWN: TOUR PROMOTES COMMUNITY POLICING   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Feb. 13, 1995.

  35. Haller, C.E.   THE PRINCE OF DOGTOWN: A NOVEL SET IN SAINT LOUIS  St. Louis: Garret Press, 1993.
    Alas, I must report that is not a well-written novel and didn't seem to me to speak to the Dogtown I knew growing up.
  36. Hannon, Robert E.  ST. LOUIS: ITS NEIGHBORHOODS AND NEIGHBORS, LANDMARKS AND MILESTONES.  St. Louis Regional Planning and Growth Association, St. Louis, 1986.

  37. Hempel, Paul,  SOME REFLECTIONS FROM MY YOUTH  St. Louis Post Dispatch, March 15, 2001.

  38. Kendall, Lois   ALL THAT JAZZ   Southwest City Journal, Unknown date.
    Story about jazz in St. Louis and photo of Dogtown musician, Nick Mucci.
  39. Leonard, Mary Delaci   FACT OR FICTION? LEGENDS FROM THE FAIR   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 25, 2004.
    Listing of three "legends" concerning the 1904 World's Fair. One of those is the legend that the Iggorots used to steal dogs in the area and that's how Dogtown got it's name.
  40. Magnam, William B.  STREETS OF ST. LOUIS  Groton, CT: Right Press, Inc., 1994.
    Simply an indispensible tool. This makes using old maps more possible. Many streets of early Dogtown/Cheltenham have changed names. Additionally one gets leads toward whom these streets are named after.
  41. McCue, George   END OF SCHOOL   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 21, 1953.
    Photo story on the second grade at Dewey, class of 1960, just as school is about to close for the summer.
  42. Merkel, Jim   DEVELOPMENT SIGNALS BIG REAL ESTATE MARKET IN DOGTOWN   Southwest City Journal, September 15, 2003.
    Article concerning building of new buildings on Garner Ave. and general real estate situation in Dogtown.
  43. Moore, Doug.   DAN THE DONKEY "ENTERS POLITICS" IN DOGTOWN   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, July 8, 2002.

  44. Murry, Tom.  DON'T DESTROY DOGTOWN AREA    St. Louis Post-Dispatch, December 4, 1991.
    Letter to the editor protesting the formation of neighborhood associations INSIDE Dogtown and thus break neighborhood unity.
  45. O'Connor, The Rev. P.J.  HISTORY OF CHELTENHAM AND ST. JAMES PARISH.   St. James Parish, St. Louis, 1937.
    This wonderful book is just filled with great information and is written with style and grace. I had the privilege to know P.J. quite well and loved him dearly as did virtually the whole neighborhood, Catholic and non-Catholic alike. Special thanks to  John Corbett  for this item.
  46. O'Connor, The Rev. P.J., et al  LET'S GO (Series One)  Bound in Three Volumes. March 21, 1925 to July 1932.
    A phenomenal collection of parish newsletters containing a huge amount of data on hundreds of parishioners. The main purpose of Let's Go was to raise money for the building of the new (present) St. James Church, and as a platform for Father O'Connor's parish work. Many others contributed. The books are filled with ads from businesses in the neighborhood and some photos. Re-estate ads for purchase and rental give a record of the development of housing and prices in this period. The astonishing dropping of prices in the early depression is quite something to see documents in ads. Special thanks to  Joe Boman  for this item.
  47. O'Neil, Tim  THE ARENA MAY VANISH, BUT ITS NEIGHBORHOOD ENDURES BLUE-COLLAR CHELTENHAM TRACES ROOTS TO THE 1700S   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 26, 1998.
    This article has significant historical material tracing Cheltenham from its earliest days until 1998. There are a few minor inaccuracies in the history, but mainly it is quite useful.
  48. O'Neil, Tim  DOGTOWN: "LIKE A SMALL COUNTRY TOWN," BEFORE FRIDAY   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 9, 1995.
    Article analyzing Dogtown and the crime in the area after the murders from Chuy's on the previous Friday.
  49. Pesheva, Ekaterina   DOGTOWN LOOK AT AREA'S HISTORY: NEIGHBORHOOD FORMS ITS OWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY   Southwest City Journal, April 28, 2002.
    Very early article on the life and formation of the Dogtown Historical Society. A couple of miscommunications between interviewee and interviewer
  50. Pesheva, Ekaterina   LIQUOR LICENSE FOR DOGTOWN ON HOLD   Southwest City Journal, June 4, 2003.
    Liquor license hearing raises questions about reliability of owners' statement and past records in running a tavern and personal life.
  51. Pesheva, Ekaterina   TWO BUSINESSES TO OPEN IN DOGTOWN   Southwest City Journal, March 26, 2003.

  52. Peters, John Brod   WHAT HAPPENDED TO THE IRISH? TRY DOGTOWN FRIDAY AND SEE   St. Louis Globe Democrat, March 16 - 17, 1967.

  53. Pollack, Joe.   A PLACE TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND TAKE YOUR LICKS   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 3, 1989.

  54. Purosity, Maria M. Tia  ‘Dog Town’ Changes Little In Century  Citizen, Jan. 19, 1983.
    Pretty basic stuff.
  55. Robinson, Dominic  UNDERSTANDING CULTURAL IDENTITY IN DOGTOWN   What's Up, Summer 2002.
    Robinson has spent a significant amount of time in Dogtown talking with people, sitting at Pat's Bar and Grill and attending meetings of The Dogtown Historical Society in its earliest months.
  56. Rygelski, Jim   DOGTOWN RESIDENT'S "WONDERFUL LIFE" INCLUDES HELPING OTHERS   Southwest City Journal, June 23, 1993.
    Story of the volunteer work of 83 year-old Frank Strathman.
  57. Samuel, Yvonne   CHELTENHAM RESIDENTS ENJOY COMMUNITY AND CONTINUITY OF THE AREA    St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 4, 2001.
    A look at community pride and continuity in Cheltenham.
  58. Schildz, Jean M.   CATHOLIC WOMAN FINDS MINISTRY IN SERVING THE DYING   St. Louis Review, February 13, 2004.
    Story of Mrs. Durban's work in her retirement home with the dying.
  59. Schlinkmann, Mark   MATERIAL TO FILL ARENA SITE DOESN'T MEET STANDARDS TESTS REVEAL UNACCEPTABLE LEVELS OF CONTAMINATION   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 4, 1999.
    Discussion of land-fill used at the old Arena site and questions about the safety of this land-fill.
  60. Schweers, Mabel   THE STORY OF ICARIA  Reflections of Icaria. Vol. 7, No. 1, Spring, 2004. pages 6-10.
    An overview of the ideas and activities of Etienne Cabet's work which left to the Cheltenham utopian community in the 1860s.
  61. Smith, Bill.  THEY CALL IT DOGTOWN  St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Date unknown. (Three years after the film White Palace was made in Dogtown.)
    Decent human interest slant on neighborhood. In more depth than most such efforts.
  62. Stage, Wm.  BAR WARS: WHO IS JOE STAEBELL, AND WHY IS HE BATTLING BOOZE IN DOGTOWN?   Riverfront Times, December 12-18, 2001.
    Neighborhood flap over the attempt of two women to open a wine bar at the corner of Clayton and Graham and Joe Staebell leading the opposition.
  63. Stovsky, Renee   DOGTOWN RESIDENT EXPLORES NEIGHBORHOOD'S LORE, LEGENDS   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 31, 2002.
    Early interview with Bob Corbett, before the Dogtown Historical Society was formed. There are a few claims of "history" in the article that I would certainly re-do at this later date.
  64. Thomas, Dru.   PAT'S FRIED CHICKEN TAKES THE CAKE?   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, August 1, 2002.
    Very favorable restaurant review.
  65. Tonsel, Lisa Jones  FINAL DELIVERY: NEIGHBORS AND CUSTOMERS SAY A SAD FAREWELL TO THE TAMM AVENUE PHARMACY, A DOGTOWN FIXTURE  St. Louis Post Dispatch, September 24, 1998.

    Story on the closing of Gene Meyers' pharmacy
  66. Vatcha, Jo Ann.   DOG (TOWN) CATCHING: FIVE NEW HOMES IN "DOGTOWN VILLAGE" BUILT IN ROWHOUSE STYLE   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 12, 2003.
    A real-estate article on new housing in Dogtown
  67. Vittachi, Imran.   CREWS FIND WWII SHELLS BURIED AT FOREST PARK   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, July 16, 2002.

  68. Volland, Victor.   MANY WHO WORK, LIVE NEAR THE ARENA ARE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE NEW PROPOSAL   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 22, 1998.

  69. Wayman, Norbury L.  HISTORY OF ST. LOUIS NEIGHBORHOODS: OAKLAND & CLIFTON.  St. Louis, Community Development Agency, St. Louis, 1980.
    I do have a 1973 version of this paper (and it is on my web site in the history section), which seems to have the entire text of the Oakland section. It is also on the Oakland link, see my list of links. It is a quite useful and accurate short history.
  70. Westhoff, Ben  ONE SWILL GAME   Riverfront Times, Feb. 8, 2006.
    A rather silly article about a drinking game, Beer Pong. However, the opening section is set at Pat's Bar and Grill, and thus of Dogtown interest. Caution: Some may find some offensive language in the article in the non-Dogtown sections.

  71. Wood, Sue Ann   ELEPHANTS' KEEPER WILL RETIRE BUT NOT FORGET  St. Louis Globe Democrat, November 2, 1971.
    Story of Dogtown resident's 40 years working with the elephants at the St. Louis Zoo

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