moneymondays

It’s hard to believe that if you drive through Wellston today, this was once one of the most thriving neighborhoods in St. Louis. In the 1950s, 60s, and early 70s, Wellston had everything packed shopping strips, local businesses, movie theaters, and community pride. MLK Boulevard wasn’t just a street. It was the heart of the neighborhood, full of life and opportunity.

The downfall didn’t happen overnight. Yes, white flight was part of the story, but so was the loss of jobs. The closure of the Wagner Electric Plant was a major hit. As families struggled to find work, many left for areas like St. Charles and O’Fallon. Property values dropped, crime increased, and what was once a vibrant area slowly turned into blocks of abandoned buildings and broken windows.

The school district lost its accreditation. Most businesses shut down, and many of the homes built in the early 1900s became too damaged to save. Fires, vacancy, and neglect followed. But even through all of that, people still remember what Wellston used to be a place where you could shop, live, and raise a family .

Today, there are new leaders in place trying to bring that energy back, and we see the work being done. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but we’ve got to give credit to the people on the ground fighting to rebuild Wellston and give the next generation something to be proud of. We’re watching, and we’re hopeful.