I attended the monthly meeting of the Soulard Restoration Group (SRG) last week, no, not just for the free beer and food though...urp, it was good. God bless free stuff.
The powers that be have gathered up photos of the Soulard from the 1970's and placed them into a simple slideshow presentation. It was playing on a wall screen while we SRG members milled about gossiping and making pleasantries. I was impressed by the sheer number of photos and the organization of them by the SRG. I have come to learn the photos were taken as part of an architectural student's thesis work and yes, there are 2 shots of 1837 So. 10th St. These I had already seen but I was suprised by the pride I felt seeing my project house displayed.
I was amazed by the sheer state of decay displayed in some instances. Many, many windows were broken out and the brick work was in a poor poor state. As the instance of decrepit properties grew, I felt at a loss to understand just how the Soulard made it through to become a thriving, healthy community here in 2009. I know the effort I have had to make just to save one property. The thought of hundreds of houses in a similar state of condemnation, all in one concentrated area...how did people keep the faith and toil through?
I have written before about the story of how the Soulard was almost destroyed then saved: an Alderman's wrecking ball plans waylaid via a prostitute and photos. I suspect there were many more challenging moments for the area than I will ever know about given the terrbile state the area was in. So I am amazed and awed by my new friends here in the Soulard, especially those who have been here for many years. Kudos to you for your passion and persistence. And if I feel some pride for also saving a condemned property, it is only enabled because you have lead the way.
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