Eureka Historical Society

05/09/2026

O'Brien Post 177 - The American Legion parade in Eureka, 1950

On May 28, 1950, the O’Brien Post 177 marched through Eureka to celebrate the dedication of a new legion hall near the modern day intersection of West 4th Street and Walton Drive.

These pictures were taken on North Central Avenue and Route 66, where one can see the Quonset hut in the distance that is now home to Sushi Ai.

This legion hall was used from 1950 to 1955, when the highway was expanded and the building was demolished.

05/02/2026

Drewel Appliance Store in Eureka, 1940’s

Located at 130 South Central Avenue, this building is now part of Joe Boccardi's Ristorante. It was owned by Dr. Irvin Drewel, the town’s first mayor, dentist, and civic leader.

04/30/2026

04/28/2026

Today was a special day for the Eureka Historical Society as we had the opportunity to tour Larry West’s incredible new Campbell's Service- Route 66 Museum along historic Route 66 in Pacific!⛽️

Larry gave us a fantastic tour of the museum, sharing the stories, passion, and hard work that brought this museum to life. Campbell’s has everything from vintage service station memorabilia to classic cars to photos of Route 66!

We’re so grateful to Larry for the warm welcome and for our secretary Kim Daman-Scheel for organizing the tour. This is truly a must-see destination for anyone who loves history, classic Americana, and the spirit of Route 66. Be sure to add it to your list!

04/27/2026

The Screamin' Eagle at Six Flags in Eureka in the late 1970s

Photo courtesy of Six Flags St. Louis

04/25/2026

Bank of Eureka, 1900’s

Organized during the Fall of 1904, this beautiful brick building at 137 South Central Avenue was completed in a year using materials from the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis. It opened in the Fall of 1905 with a carnival and beauty contest.

Besides the bank, the building was also home to a soda fountain, a small opera house, and the medical offices of Dr. Robert B. Denny when it originally opened. Later, the soda fountain was home to Eureka Drug Store.

An interesting fact about the building is that it was the original home of Eureka High School. The school held classes in the upstairs opera house from its founding in 1908 to 1909, when a new school was built on the top of the hill on Central Avenue.

Today, the building is home to Leadership For America and Great Joy Studio's The Maker. Apartments have been built upstairs where the opera house once stood.

04/23/2026

04/22/2026

Old Glory Amphitheater at Six Flags in Eureka

Photo courtesy of the Eureka Historical Society

04/18/2026

Shaw's Garden Subdivision in Eureka, 1960's

Built between 1959 and 1961, Shaw's Garden was Eureka's first subdivision and was constructed for employees of St. Louis Assembly in Fenton. An interesting fact is that local families like the Weber's, Drewel's, Schmelz's, and Hagemeister's were honored by being the namesake of the street names. A few years later, the town's first park, Eureka City Park, was built on Hill Drive Court. It has since been renamed in honor of Dr. Irvin E. Drewel, the town's first mayor, dentist, and civic leader. Another addition was Fairway Estates, which was built at the end of Hill Drive in the 2000's. Shaw's Garden still exists today, thanks to its close proximity to Highway 109, Geggie Elementary, and the businesses of Downtown Eureka.

Article featured:
Meramec Valley Transcript, August 1961
St. Louis Globe-Democrat, August 21, 1960

04/11/2026

Men outside Skelly Gas at the corner of Dreyer and Central in Eureka, 1950's

Featured are Ken Shepherd, Vance B. Truitt, A. W. “Dub” Campbell, and Frank J. Hepfinger, Jr. of Truitt & Campbell Oil Company with a pony.

The gas station they are standing in front of survives today, now home to the Shelter Insurance office of Steve Parker.