Normandy
The city of Normandy, located in the heart of North County, has been a rich and vibrant community since the early 1800s. Resting on land once owned by notable Missourian Charles Lucas, this community reflects the evolution of the Saint Louis region over time. Central to its heritage and history are several key institutions and organizations, some of which are outlined below. These places have remained cornerstones in the community, providing services, tourism, and value to the area.
Glen Echo Country Club
Glen Echo Country Club was established in 1901 as the first 18-hole golf course constructed west of the Mississippi River. Founded by George McGrew and Albert Bond Lambert, of Lambert Airport, it has been the home of the 1904 Olympic golf events, several LPGA events, and numerous charity benefits. Given the historic value of the course and its surrounding neighborhood, Glen Echo was incorporated as a historic district in 2007. Despite its enduring history, this country club has remained inaccessible by community members due to the culture of the club and price of membership. Glen Echo, however, has continued to be a spotlight in this city, bringing tourists, money, and beauty to the city since its inception.
Glen Echo Country Club Golf Course Hole Distance Over Time
A card that lists all the holes at Glen Echo Country Club and their distances over the years.
Patty Berg Finds Glen Echo Hills Have Grown Higher (1964)
A Saint Louis Post-Dispatch article discussing the 1964 Squirt Open - an LGPA open tournament paired with a Pro-Am tournament. Women’s golf was a large part of the Glen Echo Country Club.
Glen Echo Country Club Seventh Annual Benefit Golf Exhibition Poster (1989)
A poster advertising the Glen Echo Country Club Seventh Annual Benefit Gold Exhibition tournament. The Country Club has long been a popular destination for charity golf tournaments.
Excluded: Barriers Remain for Blacks (1988)
A news article from 1988 that discusses racism within the Glen Echo Country Club's memberships. There were many African American employees and guests, however there were no African American members to the club.
Country Club Focal Point of Glen Echo Park (1989)
An article from the Saint Louis Post-Dispatch that discusses the visual appeal of Glen Echo Country Club and its neighboring community. The residences in this area hold significant historical value, noted by their incorporation into a historic district in 2007.
Glen Echo: Only Golf Club to Host the Olympics Turns 100 (2001)
A continuation of a Saint Louis Post-Dispatch article that provides an overview of the history of Glen Echo Country Club in conjunction with its 100th birthday. The article specifically points to the enduring history of the club despite others moving to new locations.
Bethesda Temple
Established in 1935, Bethesda Temple has been a notable presence in the city of Normandy. The congregation has undergone significant growth over time, leading to relocations to Delmar Boulevard, Union Boulevard, and Bermuda Drive. Throughout its history, Bethesda Temple has adapted to accommodate its expanding and evolving community. The leadership has included three pastors: Elder Morris E. Golder, Elder James A Johnson, and Suffragan Bishop Julian Johnson. These leaders have played large roles not only within the organization, but also in the community.
Bethesda Temple (1985)
Bethesda Temple’s location on Bermuda Drive (presently Bishop J A Johnson Lane) in 1985.
Bethesda Temple Church Finds Stage for Cantata (1986)
A Saint Louis Post-Dispatch article from 1986 focusing on how the Temple’s members needed a larger venue for their Cantata performance. This underscores the congregation’s growth and burgeoning significance within the community.
Two Ministers Appear to Help Dedicate Wing (1996)
An article from the Saint Louis Post-Dispatch that highlights the dedication of a new administrative and educational wing for the building in 1996. This not only reflects the Temple’s substantial growth, but also the Temple’s evolution of service within the community.
Thies Farm
For over a century, Thies Farms and Greenhouses has been an anchor of the Normandy community, tracing its roots back to 1885. Founded by Henry William Thies, the family patriarch of the late 19th century, the establishment originally began as a truck farm dedicated to selling vegetables and produce at the produce market in downtown Saint Louis. Throughout its enduring history, Thies Farms has not merely served as a provider of locally-grown produce, but has also played a key role in fostering tradition and community events within Normandy and the surrounding area. In recent years, the business has welcomed growth and diversification, establishing various locations within the Saint Louis area. Thies Farms and Greenhouses has become woven into the fabric of Normandy, offering more than just agricultural products or a pumpkin patch; it has become a source of identity and pride.
Thies Farm
A news television segment that provides an overview of the history of Thies Farms through interviews with Thies family members and employees.
Thies Farms Advertisement (2012)
A Schnucks advertisement from a 2012 newspaper that promotes tomatoes grown by Thies Farms. Thies Farms and Schnucks have been business partners since the 1940s.
A Fall Tradition (2021)
A photograph of three children gazing into a field of corn at a Thies Farm location. The farm is part of many Saint Louisans’ fall traditions.