Broadway pre-Hirsch Tower

April 28, 1954 Southeast Missourian

Another riverlike scene resulted during Tuesday's storm as water reached close to floor boards of automobiles parked on Broadway in the block between Lorimier and Fountain streets. Cars were forced to remain stationary until the water level dropped. (G.D. Fronabarger photo)

The Marquette Hotel was tallest building on the street at that time.

The 13-story Hirsch Tower would be constructed later with a topping out ceremony in December, 1967. It became the home of KFVS television.

On that site, this photo shows a brick building at 314 Broadway, east of First Federal Savings and Loan in the Surety building. On the sign out front: Abstract Title & Guaranty Corp.

Our librarian, Sharon Sanders, provides some information from city directories for that address:

1949 Office of Dr. Amos Murphy

1951 Office of Dr. James Drace (apartment upstairs)

1954 and 1956 Abstract Title & Guaranty (operated by Harry Culp)

1959 No return for commercial space; apartment housed Jerry Allen

1960 Vacant

By 1962, the address 314 Broadway no longer existed.

The frame building to the east of 314 Broadway was torn down in February 1960 by Oscar C. Hirsch. "My guess is that the brick building came down about the same time," Sanders said. "At the time the frame building was raised, it was estimated to be about 80 years old (built circa 1880)."

A Southeast Missourian article dated Feb. 24, 1960 describes the frame building:

"The house had weatherboarding outside. When the structure was put up, the timber frame was built, including angle braces and studdings. Then the brick wall was built in and around the wood frame. Then weatherboarding was applied outside. The opposite procedure often is followed now, with the brick veneer put outside."

East of this site is a billboard for Country Club malt liquor.

Next to that is the Mineweld building which handled mining and welding supplies. It was attached to the Opera House. The Mineweld building was torn down in 1961.

City directories show Mineweld was at 308 Broadway from the late 1940s to mid-1950s. Victor Howard was manager.

Dr. C.E. Schuchart, a dentist, is listed there in 1920 and 1925. General Sign Co. is listed in 1942. A used clothing store is listed in 1945. Mineweld is listed in 1949, 1951 and 1954. The building is vacant in 1956.