My Corner Online

 

Civil Courts Building

The Civil Courts Building in St. Louis holds a special place in my heart. I remember that the Old Courthouse, St. Louis in front of the Arch is the first courthouse, and the Civil Courts Building was the second, and then the Thomas F. Eagleton United States Courthouse is the third courthouse. My Great-Grandpa, John Finlay and his wife Erna came to St. Louis when he became employed as the head carpenter during the construction of the Civil Courts Building. On February 9, 1923, the residents of the City of St. Louis approved a bond in the amount of $87 million for city improvements, including the construction of the Civil Courts Building, Kiel Auditorium, and the Municipal Services Building. The cornerstone of the new courthouse was laid February 3, 1928, and the building was dedicated and occupied on June 21, 1930, so John would have been employed between 1928 and 1930 during the construction.

My Grandpa took this photo of the Civil Courts Building and it hangs on my wall. It is one of my favorite photographs. I can see the lights in the rooms on the courthouse lit up in the shape of a cross and I wonder if my Great-Grandpa did that for Grandpa to take this photo. I also see the snow and the lights on the trees in the courtyard. This must have been taken at Christmastime. It is my estimate that it was taken sometime in the 1930's. I have attempted to take a photo standing from the same spot, but the trees are in the way and it is difficult to see the building. See the images below.

May 12, 2007

This is the first time I attempted to take a photo from the same location as my Grandpa took the above photo.

You can barely see the tiptop of the building through the trees.

The Civil Courts Building is in line with the arch and the Old Courthouse, St. Louis. You can see that on the Old Courthouse, St. Louis page in photos taken from the front of that building.

February 22, 2013

In 2013 I visited the building wanting to see inside to observe Great-Grandpa Finlay's handiwork. I was allowed in the building with a security officer who showed me around. I was not allowed to take photos, but I was told if I ask in advance that it could be arranged for me to come back to do so. Life gets in the way and here in 2022 I still have not gone back. I was also told that they would hang the above image in the library, but I could never get it colored the way I liked it and it is still in my to-do folder. They have probably forgotten about me and it now ten years later. I was amazed at the woodwork in the building. The courtrooms are all composed of his carpentry work with the witness stand, and judge's seat, and railings around them. The stairs have curved railings which match the curved railings in John and Erna's house in Omaha, Nebraska which I visited and was allowed to enter. From this, and the oval table I own that he constructed, I have learned that his style and technique was to beautifully and craftsfully curve the wood. I was beginning to learn to spot his handiwork.

This image shows how the arch and the Old Courthouse, St. Louis are lined up with the Civil Court building.

This is a photo once again attempting to stand at the same place Grandpa stood in the above photo. This time in the Winter you can see the building through the trees.

I must have moved back a block to see if this perspective matched Grandpa's photo better. There is a stone wall there now.

After the tour I returned to the same spot for anothr photo opportunity because the setting sun we illuminating the side of the building in such a dazzling way that it stood out.

 

 

 

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