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

2701-2703 Cherokee Street

Favorite Amusement Company

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

1. 2701-2703 Cherokee Street Marker

Inscription. The unimproved property located at this corner was purchased by brothers, Harry and Eugene Freund during the Spring of 1909. Three days later, the Freund's were granted a building permit to construct a one-story brick odeon designed by William Wedemeyer. An odeon was a small theater typically showing a series of fifteen to twenty minute silent films accompanied by a piano player player or organist. Odeons remained hugely popular until the advent of the feature length films in 1915. Adding to the decline of odeons was the construction of larger, more ornate theaters. The Freunds operated the Favorite Amusement Company at this location, showing films until 1917.

Previously working with their father, Sigmund, in the clothing retail market, the purchase and the improvements marked the Freund's first foray into the real estate business on Cherokee Street. Following the construction of 2701-03 Cherokee, the Freund's constructed several other prominent buildings in the community including the Cinderella Theater and the Casa Loma Ballroom.

The former odeon was converted to contain two separate stores. The Freunds leased the

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eastern portion in 1917 to Jacob Godlove who sold ladies' furnishings. The western half was occupied by William Trahanas who launched the Cinderella Candy Company in 1919. The Godlove family purchased the building from the Freunds in 1921 and continued to operate a furnishing store at this location for nearly fifty years. During World War II, 2703 Cherokee was incorporated with the Kresge 5 and 10 Cent Store to the west.

Erected by Cherokee Station Business Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • 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 1909.

Location. 38° 35.621′ N, 90° 13.675′ W. Marker is in St. Louis, Missouri. It is in Benton Park West. It is on Cherokee Street west of Ohio Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2701 Cherokee Street, Saint Louis MO 63118, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American

2701 Cherokee Street image. Click for full size.

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

2. 2701 Cherokee Street

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: 2646 Cherokee Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 2639-2641 Cherokee Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 2638-2642 Cherokee Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 3354 Iowa Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); 2728 Cherokee Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 2730-2734 Cherokee Street (about 300 feet away); 2731 Cherokee Street (about 400 feet away); 2621-2623 Cherokee Street (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map 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 479 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 9, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.