Eureka Historical Society

06/05/2026

06/05/2026

Happy 55th birthday Six Flags St. Louis !

Since opening in 1971, our local amusement park has brought generations of families to Eureka for thrills, memories, and summertime fun. From the early days as Six Flags Over Mid-America to today, the park remains an important part of our community’s history and identity.

Now under the leadership of Enchanted Parks USA, this season will be the last with its current name as the park enters a beautiful new chapter in its history.

Here’s to 55 years of fun and many more to come!

05/30/2026

Aerial of Augustine Road in Eureka, 1960’s

Today, Highway 109 slices through the center of this today.

Picture from Rosemary Proctor

05/25/2026

05/23/2026

Rides at Eureka Homecoming, 1960's

Eureka Homecoming was an early version of what became today’s Eureka Days.

Picture by George B. Riebold, Sr. of Times Beach

05/19/2026

05/16/2026

05/16/2026

Who remembers shopping at Eureka IGA?

In 1963, owners Bill and Rosemary Soetebier constructed a new Eureka IGA at the corner of Thresher Drive and Augustine Road. It was one of two grocery stores in the town at the time, the other being Sutter's Market, now home to O'Dell's Irish Pub & Ale House. The store held a grand opening on January 24 with a ribbon cutting led by Mayor Irvin E. Drewel who was also the town dentist. The large modern supermarket replaced an older location at 123 South Central Avenue, now home to Grand Central Hair Design and Butler Law Office.

After Bill's tragic passing in 1973, Rosemary continued operating the store for many more years. Under her leadership, the store was expanded in 1976. This project also involved the construction of Eureka Plaza, now known as Rockwood Plaza. Originally it was home to Ben Franklin, Eureka Drug Store, and Eureka Laundromat. Today, it is home to Lindell Bank, Eureka Family Pet Hospital, and Hillsboro Title Company.

After the closure of Eureka IGA, the store has hosted Save A Lot and Cottons Ace Hardware. It is currently under renovation to become Goodwill. It looks unrecognizable today.

Photos from Rosemary Soetebier Proctor