What if St. Louis had its very own Disneyland? In this episode of Show Me History, we uncover the incredible, nearly-forgotten story of Walt Disney’s Riverfront Square — a bold and imaginative plan to build a Disney theme park in the heart of downtown St. Louis.

From the rediscovery of lost blueprints in 2015 to the city's ambitious redevelopment dreams of the 1950s and 60s, we explore the political, cultural, and financial drama that brought Disney to Missouri — and ultimately led him to walk away. Learn how a clash over beer, control, and creative vision turned a promising partnership into a missed opportunity.

You’ll hear about the attractions that never were, the park that could have been, and how these unrealized dreams influenced the creation of Walt Disney World. It’s a whirlwind tour through urban planning, corporate ambition, and hometown pride — with a dash of Missouri mystery.

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All research, editing, and production done by River City Productions for Show-Me History.

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Tune in and discover the Disney park St. Louis almost had — and why it never came to be.

A day that was meant to be a celebration of technological advancement turned into a day of devastation.

The Gasconade Bridge Disaster killed upwards of 30 people, injured hundreds and became a dark day in St. Louis history.

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All research, editing, and production done by River City Productions for Show-Me History.

We can be reached at [email protected], on Bluesky at ShowMeHistory.bsky.app, on Facebook at facebook.com/showmehistorystl, or on X at X.com/ShowMe_History.

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St. Louis’s downtown area didn’t always look the way itdoes now. A nice slow incline towards the riverfront, no obvious hills, or large mounds. At one time, the entire city was speckled with large hills, the remnants of Native American tribes who once lived in the area. 27 mounds intotal were gradually removed from the landscape to make way for a growing city.

This week's episode, entitled Big Mound, is about the Native American mounds that dotted the metro St. Louis area, their history, and their unfortunate removal.

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All research, editing, and production done by River City Productions for Show-Me History.

We can be reached at [email protected], on Bluesky at ShowMeHistory.bsky.app, on Facebook at facebook.com/showmehistorystl, or on X at X.com/ShowMe_History.

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A private street in north St. Louis, Lewis place was an elite white-only street, now is it the only place in the United States where African Americans own 3 continuous blocks of land.

This week's episode in on Lewis Place (the street, not the whole neighborhood).

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All research, editing, and production done by River City Productions for Show-Me History.

We can be reached at [email protected], on Facebook at facebook.com/showmehistorystl, or on X at x.com/ShowMe_History.

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When we think of the American Revolutionary War, we tend to think of the eastern states— of New England. But portions of the continent beyond that played a vital role as well. The Battle of St. Louis was the western-most battle of the Revolutionary War and proved to be a pivotal battle.

All research, editing, and production done by River City Productions for Show-Me History.

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The streetcar strike of 1900 would later be known as St. Louis’s civil war. It was a battle between classes, union members versus nonunion members, the working class against the elite. The streets of St. Louis resembled something from the wild west- shootings in the street, random bombings, people being attacked for riding street cars, and to complete the scene a sheriff appointed posse attempting to gain control of the chaos. It was one of the most violent events to take place in the city.

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This week's episode is about Mill Creek Valley.

Around the turn of the last century, the area between

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This week's episode is about the City Hospital on Lafayette Avenue.

Consisting of 18 total buildings on 10 acres of land, the

All research, editing, and production done by River City Productions for Show-Me History.

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Picture it, an affluent suburb in western St. Louis County. What appears to be a walking and bike path in the middle of a park transforms at night. An eerie old road haunted by ghosts of days gone by. Or so the legend goes…

This week on Show-Me History we discuss the Zombie Road.

All research, editing, and production done by River City Productions for Show-Me History.

We can be reached at [email protected], on Facebook at facebook.com/showmehistorystl, or on Twitter at twitter.com/ShowMe_History.

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This week on Show-Me History, we're discussing "The Hill".

The Hill is a charming and historic neighborhood in St. Louis, renowned for its rich Italian-American heritage and vibrant culinary scene. Known as the city's "Little Italy," The Hill boasts a variety of authentic Italian restaurants, bakeries, and specialty shops that draw visitors and locals alike. Its streets are lined with quaint, well-maintained homes and adorned with Italian flags, reflecting the strong cultural pride of the community. The neighborhood is also the birthplace of several notable figures, including baseball legends Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola. Whether you're savoring a plate of pasta, exploring its history, or enjoying a leisurely walk, The Hill offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere with a distinctively European charm.

All research, editing, and production done by River City Productions for Show-Me History.

We can be reached at [email protected], on Facebook at facebook.com/showmehistorystl, or on Twitter at twitter.com/ShowMe_History.

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