I’m a sucker for buildings with names, so when I was driving down North Ellis south of the Broadway Theater, I had to snap a quick picture of the Mildred Apartments. The place is a little shabby these days.
In fact, a young man showed up on the police blotter for “maintaining a disorderly house” there not too long ago. I suspect that the citation wasn’t for something as mundane as not picking his socks up off the floor.
Built in 1912
The January 21, 1921, Missourian carried a front page story “How Builders View the Situation.” Theodore Ochs, president of the Union Lumber Company, and with 20 years in the lumber business, said things were going to bounce back now that the War was over. “I do not propose to cut the pay of a single man of the many who are working for me, but expect them to merely produce more than they have in the past.”
Ochs continued, “I intend building a six-family apartment house on Ellis Street in the spring, which will be almost identical to the Mildred Apartments I built there some time ago.”
Lots of happenings
The newspaper columns were full of stories about things happening in the apartments and to its inhabitants. There were lots of bridge parties and social organization galas. James Kinder II was quarantined with the mumps in 1936. Lightning hit the structure in 1920, “all lights in the building being snuffed out except those in one apartment.”
In 1927, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis H. Butler of that address “motored to Advance, Glenallen and Lutesville Sunday. They said the roads were in good condition all the way.”
E.W. Boyer advertised in 1927 for stenographic work: “Addressing envelopes, typewritten letters, shorthand or copying; 5 cents for original, long or short letter; 3 cents for each additional carbon copy; neatness and accuracy guaranteed. Phone 768.”
I don’t know how many times Mother has said, “Turn here and go back to look at Elk’s Lake.” I’m usually on the way to someplace important like Wib’s BBQ, so I drive right past it.
