Benton Park West in St. Louis, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

2731 Cherokee Street

The Cinderella Building

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 7, 2018

1. 2731 Cherokee Street Marker

Inscription. The Cinderella Building, designed by architect William Wedemeyer was constructed by contractors Joseph G. Bothe and Charles A Welsh in 1913. The property where the building stands was purchased from the Besch family by Harry and Eugene Freund a year before construction began. The site had been the location of the Cherokee Beer Garden, and was owned by the Besch family since the 1860s. The Cinderella Building operated as a dance hall and skating rink until 1915 when the Freunds converted the rink into a movie theater. In 1929 Fred Wehrenberg took over management of the Cinderella Theater, and in 1932 Fred and Gertrude Wehrenberg and their Southside Amusement Company officially purchased the Cinderella Theater and Hall from the Freunds. Wehrenberg moved his offices to the second floor of the building, where the Freunds had originally had their Cinderella Amusement Company offices. The first floor storefronts were occupied by a variety of retail stores, including a cigar shop, a hat shop, and Walter Forman's clothing store, which was in the building from 1925 until 1933. During the late 1930s through the 1940s the second floor

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

offices were predominated by Unions and Fraternal organizations, including the Cherokee Council Royal League and the Candy and Confectionary Workers Local No. 310. The longest occupying business was the Thom McAn Shoe Store, which moved into the Cinderella Building in 1935 and remained until 1980.

The Cinderella Theater remained in operation util 1958, nine years after the death of Fred Wehrenberg. In 1962 the theater portion of the building was demolished for a surface parked lot. The following year Wehrenberg Theaters moved their offices to Creve Coeur. The Cinderella Building remained in commercial operation and continues to house several businesses.

Erected by Cherokee Station Business Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Missouri, St. Louis, Cherokee Station Business Association series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 38° 35.63′ N, 90° 13.762′ W. Marker is in St. Louis, Missouri. It is in Benton Park West. It is on Cherokee Street west of Iowa Avenue, on

The Cinderella Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 7, 2018

2. The Cinderella Building

the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2731 Cherokee Street, Saint Louis MO 63118, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 2730-2734 Cherokee Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 2728 Cherokee Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Calle Cherokee (within shouting distance of this marker); 3354 Iowa Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); 3409 California Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); 2817 Cherokee Street (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 2818-2820 Cherokee Street (about 400 feet away); 2701-2703 Cherokee Street (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map

Paid Advertisement

of all markers in St. Louis.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,901 times since then and 112 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 9, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.