August 19 1877 Several noted scientists expressed interest in recent reports of a sea serpent sighted in the Mississippi here. The beast was described as 30-feet-long with dark scales, a head like a dog, and a mouth like a pelican. The Globe-Democrat reported that the reports had come from several individuals whose honesty and sobriety were beyond reproach. 1939 The Globe-Democrat reported that the riverboat under construction at the foot of Franklin Avenue was 95 percent complete. Shrouded in secrecy, it had become known as the mystery ship. The streamlined five-deck steamer was being built for the Streckfuss Line. 1951 Browns owner Bill Veeck sent 37 inches tall, 65-pound Eddie Gaedel in to pinch-hit for Frank Saucier against Detroit. Gaedel wore the number 1/8. He carried a toy bat, and was ordered not to swing. Detroit manager Red Rolfe protested, but Browns manager Zach Taylor pulled out a valid contract for $100. As 18,369 fans looked on, pitcher Bob Cain walked Gaedel on four straight. American League President Will Harridge tried to remove Gaedel’s appearance from all records, and then promptly banned midgets. 1955 The shopping center billed as The first auto age shopping center in the St. Louis area opened for business. The Northland Center, at Lucas and Hunt and West Florissant, was located on what were then the fringes of suburbia. Northland was demolished in 2005 and the site redeveloped. 1964 Water from the source and the mouth of the Mississippi was mixed in with concrete poured into the South Leg of the Arch at the 300 foot-level. Crystal clear water from Itasca State Park in Minnesota was mixed with muddy water from the Chalmette National Historic Site, south of New Orleans. Engineers thought this would be the last concrete poured into the Arch. 1965 The Missouri State Highway Commission ordered the By-Pass 66 signs removed from Lindbergh in St. Louis County. I-270 was now complete from the Mississippi River at the Chain of Rocks to I-70.
Posted on: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 11:35:16 +0000
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