What's With St. Louis? Second Edition

Why are turtles incorporated into the wrought iron fence at The Old Court House? Can beaver be eaten during Lent? Why are pieces of metal track imbedded in some local streets? Who is Sweet Meat, and should he be avoided? These and other questions about St. Louis routinely perplex both natives and newcomers to the area. In this updated version of her 2016 book, author Valerie Battle Kienzle continues her quest to find answers to some of The Gateway City’s most puzzling questions, digging through countless archives and talking to local experts. Part cultural study of The River City and part history lesson, the book reveals the backstories of more local places, events, and beloved traditions. Want to know why St. Louisans are so obsessed with soccer or why the acclaimed Missouri Botanical Garden contains a Japanese garden? Look no further. Dig into this informative and entertaining update for answers to those and dozens of other questions.

 

Valerie Battle Kienzle spent four decades employed in various writing-related positions – newspaper reporter, corporate public affairs manager, advertising account representative, school district communications writer, and freelance writer. In addition to What’s With St. Louis?, she has written one book for The History Press, Lost St. Louis (2017), and two books for Arcadia Publishing – St. Charles (2012) and Columbia (2014).