27 Incredible Vintage Photos of Artists in St. Louis' Gaslight Square

By Riverfront Times Staff on Tue, Jan 5, 2016 at 9:21 pm

This week's feature looks at St. Louis nightlife and those who helped shape it. No discussion of St. Louis' social scene would be complete without mentioning Gaslight Square of the 1950s and '60s, centered on what's now Boyle and Olive streets in the Central West End. Artists, musicians and patrons flocked to the vibrant entertainment district, which was home to jazz clubs, cabarets, restaurants and more. The State Historical Society has literally thousands of Gaslight Square photos -- here are 27 we especially love. All photos courtesy of the State Historical Society of Missouri.

This week's feature looks at St. Louis nightlife and those who helped shape it. No discussion of St. Louis' social scene would be complete without mentioning Gaslight Square of the 1950s and '60s, centered on what's now Boyle and Olive streets in the Central West End. Artists, musicians and patrons flocked to the vibrant entertainment district, which was home to jazz clubs, cabarets, restaurants and more. The State Historical Society has literally thousands of Gaslight Square photos -- here are 27 we especially love. All photos courtesy of the State Historical Society of Missouri.

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The Bennie Sharp Band in 1962.

The Bennie Sharp Band in 1962.

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The Bennie Sharp Band with Jessie, in 1964.

The Bennie Sharp Band with Jessie, in 1964.

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The Bennie Sharp Band in 1964.

The Bennie Sharp Band in 1964.

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The Bustles and Bowes tavern.

The Bustles and Bowes tavern.

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A belly dancer at the Crystal Palace, a cabaret theater.

A belly dancer at the Crystal Palace, a cabaret theater.

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Bob McCreary performing in Gaslight Square.

Bob McCreary performing in Gaslight Square.

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Outside the Butterscotch Lounge.

Outside the Butterscotch Lounge.

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A lute player.

A lute player.

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Harold "Chick" Booth playing at the Silver Dollar.

Harold "Chick" Booth playing at the Silver Dollar.

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Outside the Dark Side.

Outside the Dark Side.

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Don Cunningham at the Dark Side.

Don Cunningham at the Dark Side.

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Inside the Dark Side.

Inside the Dark Side.

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Don Cunningham.

Don Cunningham.

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Outside the restaurant Port St. Louis.

Outside the restaurant Port St. Louis.

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Cy Stoner at Port St. Louis.

Cy Stoner at Port St. Louis.

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Dancers in Gaslight Square.

Dancers in Gaslight Square.

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Dancers in Gaslight Square.

Dancers in Gaslight Square.

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The radio personality Ed WIlson at Carl's 2 Cents Plain in 1964.

The radio personality Ed WIlson at Carl's 2 Cents Plain in 1964.

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Folk singer Lee Elliott in 1962.

Folk singer Lee Elliott in 1962.

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Outside the Living Room.

Outside the Living Room.

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