September 8, 2021
Honoring history
Around Town Sept. 22: A plaque dedication for Florissant veteran. Pg. 2 9-11 remembrance on 20th anniversary of attacks. Pg. 3
Special Section COME ON OUT TO THIS WEEKEND’S FESTIVALS! Saturday, Sept. 11: Hazelwood Day. Pgs. 5-7
Sunday, Sept. 12: Taste In Ferguson. Pgs. 8-9 Senior Living. Pg. 12
Features
Photos courtesy city of Creve Coeur
The long-awaited rededication of the Dr. H. Phillip Venable Memorial Park in Creve Coeur will take place Sept. 18 By Wendy Todd Over 50 years ago, a small group of black professionals, including Dr. H. Phillip Venable, bought land in Creve Coeur, intending to build homes and establish their lives in the area. But once some white residents found out the new buyers in the neighborhood were black, the group was not welcomed. The disgruntled neighbors, fueled by racism and backed by then mayor John. T. Beirne, raised money and offered payment to the black newcomers to move out of Creve Coeur. All but one sold out. Dr. H. Phillip Venable, a trailblazing ophthalmologist, stood his ground and refused
to accept the offer. The Canadian native who was raised in Detroit and his wife, Katie, were almost done building this lavish home that included a pool, tennis court and ninehole golf course and wanted to stay. “He paid cash for his lot and fought in the courts for four or five years,” says his niece, Rosalind Venable Woodhouse. “It got to the Supreme Court (in 1960) and he lost. He was offered some piddly amount and they took the property under eminent domain. He then went to Ballwin and purchased a home.” The city of Creve Coeur seized the property and turned it into a park. The city used the impressive home Venalbe had been building
as a clubhouse. The rededication of the memorial park to Venable, the first black doctor to join Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis University School of Medicine as a faculty member is of huge importance to his family and has meaningful significance for the community. “It means that at long last the city is acknowledging the wrong that it did at that time,” states Woodhouse, who along with siblings continues to advocate for justice on behalf of her uncle. “Other jurisdictions could be taking a look at what they have done and come up with ideas for recompense,” she continues. See ‘HISTORY’ page 2
Serving North & Northwest St. Louis County | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol. 100 No. 36 | 636-379-1775
Recipe, Movie & Sudoku. Pg. F-1 CLASSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3 Moore On Life, Yeggs & Crossword Puzzle. Pg. F-4
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