Samuel B. Clark Gaslight Square Collection
Scope and Contents
The Samuel B. Clark Gaslight Square Collection contains 58 photographs collected by Clark that document Gaslight Square before, during, and after its heyday as a premier entertainment district. Photographs taken while the neighborhood was a popular destination show customers and entertainers at Montileone’s Café Espresso, Three Fountains, and other establishments, as well as interior and exterior views of Montileone’s and several street views showing various businesses. Photographs taken before the area’s rise to prominence show an Olive Street Antique Dealers Open-Air Street Fair with antique displays arranged on the sidewalk in front of each store. Photographs taken several decades after Gaslight Square’s decline show crumbling and dilapidated buildings.
Dates
- 1950-2000
Creator
- Clark, Samuel Bromley, 1928-2014 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
No viewing restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright restrictions may apply. The user assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.
Biographical / Historical
Gaslight Square, at the corner of Olive and Boyle in midtown St. Louis, thrived as an arts and entertainment district from 1953-1972. It became nationally known as a hotspot for beatniks, bohemians, intellectuals, and performers, and the nightlife featured a variety of restaurants, bars, coffee houses, and entertainment venues with musicians, comedians, and dancers. Previously, the area had been known for its antique shops.
Samuel B. Clark (1928-2014) moved to the Gaslight Square area in the 1950s and later opened Montileone’s Café Espresso with a partner. The café, named after Clark’s friend and fellow Gaslight Square personality, artist Ralph Montileone, was one of the first coffee shops in St. Louis to have an espresso machine.
Extent
0.13 Cubic Feet ( (12 folders; 59 images))
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Photographs are filed in topical folders, which are arranged alphabetically. Black and white photographs and color photographs have been separated for preservation purposes.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
No physical or technical restrictions.
Additional Indexes
PDF folder list available for download through the collection record in the Missouri Historical Society's Online Collections (https://mohistory.org/collections).
Donor Information
Collection donated by Samuel B. Clark in 2014.
Existence and Location of Copies
Digital copies and item-level records of select images are posted as they are created and can be accessed through the Online Collections on the Missouri Historical Society website (http://mohistory.org/collections).
Digitized images are generated from the original item whenever possible and files are adjusted only to ensure an accurate representation. Master files are saved in TIF format and JPEG viewing files are automatically generated from the master files.
Formats
Photographs; Inkjet prints; Postcard; Slide; Drawing
Processing Information
Processed by Lauren Sallwasser, 2018.
Creator
- Clark, Samuel Bromley, 1928-2014 (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Samuel B. Clark Gaslight Square Collection.
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- EAD by Lauren Sallwasser using ArchivesSpace
- Date
- 2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Missouri Historical Society, Photographs and Prints Department Repository
Library and Research Center
225 South Skinker Boulevard
St. Louis MO 63105
photo@mohistory.org