Hodiamont.
With that one word, my grandmother could evoke a place and a time, a mythical St. Louis world that had passed just before I was old enough to experience it.
It was the streetcar – the Hodiamont streetcar – she meant when she’d say that magical word, that incantation.
Ho-di-a-mont, with a crisp clear “t” on the end.
Ho-di-a-mont.
It was the starch in my grandfather’s shirt collars, the pressed and folded hankies slipped into her purse before she headed to church, the click of her purse as she primly snapped it shut, the “t” neat and tidy, a pin just so.
This website will unpack this magical word, will bring to life both the bygone streetcar era and reflect on where St. Louis – City and County – stand now.
The website presents the history of Wellston, the neighborhood that served as the terminus for the Hodiamont streetcar line. It was in Wellston that my grandparents lived and worked, where my mother and aunt were raised, where I spent time as a child in the 1960s.
In the blog, I’ll explore topics such as the St. Louis streetcar line (including the Hodiamont line of course!), the rich history of the Wagner Electric factory, the problems facing the City of Wellston today and the built environment of St. Louis, Wellston, and surrounding North County. I’ll look at maps, photographs, urban-inspired artwork, St. Louis blogs, fiction and nonfiction about St. Louis. I’ll also be posting occasional random thoughts and discoveries about the novel’s three target decades: the ’20s, ’50s and ’70s.
Join me as I journey back in time to explore the world of Hodiamont.
I love history! Herstory. Especially in tales told by Linda Tate!
If I remember right, she pronounced it with a silent a. Like hodimont. In fact most people in our area said it this way.
Joe–
Thanks for your comment. I know that most people in the area said it with a silent “a” — and I’m sure Grandma Tate said it that way too. It was my Grandma Landsbury, however, who insisted on pronouncing it as a four-syllable word. That’s the way I still hear the word in my mind.
Hope you’ll follow along as I add more posts!
Linda
We always pronounced it Ho da mont…
I love the way you describe the memories that Hodiamont evokes: The purse snapped shut is especially wonderful!
So interesting of our area where we grew up. A reflection of wonderful memories.
Linda, you write so evocatively of this place that I look forward to the book. And writing related blog posts as you work on the novel is genius!
in 1964 i was with a group of students from Wellston and Normandy high that formed a committee to save the streetcars and tracks. I have a committee button and article from the Post Dispatch recounting our champaign and activities. Of course they veared to the progressive side. Eventually our voices were silenced by the politicians.
@Mary, @Laurel, @Janette, @Gail: Thanks for your very kind words. So glad you’re along for the ride!
@Barb: I would love to hear more about your 1964 campaign. Would you send me a message through the “contact” button? Thanks! Linda
I have memories of riding the bus from Berkeley to Wellston with my Grandmother to go shopping. I also remember my Mom taking us on a street car ride to downtown before they quit running. David and I enjoy your website.
Oh the memories. We lived 5943 Theodosia. Right up the street from the White Mill; the Hodiamont Streetcar Depot. There was the huge Katz Drug store, well it was huge to me. With a big animated sign where the cats eyes moved left to right. In the back of the depot was Ellerbrochs Bakery. Where on Wednesdays the bakers would give us kids leftover donuts and goodies! My first ride on the streetcar was to go downtown to get a social security card. I was 13 years old. Those were the days
Oh those were the days! We lived on Theodosia right up the street from the Hodiamont Street Car line depot. The White Mill had the most awesome burgers and a juke box where I would just hang out sometimes listening to music, chomping on fries. There was also Katz Drugs – a big drug store with an animated cat whose eyes moved from left to right on the same corner in front the White Mill. And behind the depot was Ellerbrochs Bakery, where on Wednesdays two gentle ladies would give us kids the leftover, day-old donuts and goodies. Those were the days. My first ride on the streetcar was to go downtown to get a social security card…I was 13, and I never forgot that first ride. Those were the days!
Hi, Linda. Your blog takes me back. Listening in my head and hearing “Hod-i-mont” (without the a) gives me an instant flashback to my childhood and my grandmother.
Speaking of grandmothers, I work for the St. Louis Beacon, an online news organization. Beacon reporter Kristen Hare is looking for grandparents to take care of their grandchildren, either part time or full time, or those who live with their grandchildren, or those who are estranged from their grandchildren. Kristen wants to find people who have stories to tell and are willing to be interviewed. I’m hoping readers of your blog can help us. Please click on the following link to share your insights. http://bit.ly/Grandparents0512
Thank you!
I lived in Wellston from 1953 until 1963 at 6219 Julian Ave. between Delaware and Morton as they were known at that time. That was south of page and right up the street from Wagner Electric. I am 62 and was 3 when we moved there from the city. I remember that there were at least 3 saloons within two blocks of my house and they were always busy. My Mom would send me down to one of them to buy her cigarettes.
Hello everyone, I lived at 1289B Hodiamont from the early 1940s until the mid 1950s. My parents (me too of course)then moved 1/2 block away to the corner of Page and Hodiamont up stairs over a Tavern (Demmes) then across the street and up stairs of course over a Mom/Pop market (Sam and Shirleys). I left for the Air Force in Aug 1957 and my parents then moved to Kansas City, Mo. Sorry to say I have not been back. The Hodiamont street car tracks was my playground, this brings back memories of child hood friends.
All well and good but who was count Hodiamont.IThink he died about 1889. Any in fo on him?