Historical Society

The Sunset Hills Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) entity, was formed in 2004 and shortly thereafter had offices constructed at City Hall adjacent to the Public Works Office. Their first accomplishment was the update of the History Book of Sunset Hills for the 50th Anniversary of the City. This was augmented with the publication of a separate calendar of historic sites in the city as illustrated by Architect and resident, the late Ed Thias. These books are still available for sale at City Hall.

Historic Preservation

This society's primary mission is the historic preservation and storage of artifacts, chronicling of historical information pertinent to the area and identification of pertinent historic sites in the city.

They have readily become known with several local organizations (such as schools) via numerous presentations and programs targeted to these groups. The Sunset Hills Historic Society also garnered loans of items such as this extremely rare 36-star American Flag (circa 1865) as modeled by the late Joyce Franklin, former Society President (2006-2008). The flag is owned by Bill Hopfinger. The Sunset Hills Historical Society is always interested in hearing from those who might have input or items they would like to loan or donate to the organization.

Meetings

The Sunset Hills Historical Society meetings typically take place on the fourth Monday of the month in the Sunset Hills City Hall, at 3939 South Lindbergh Blvd., in Sunset Hills. Watch this website for more information, and check your local newspapers.

The Sunset Hills Historical Society is looking to fill the open speaker slots for meetings. If you or anyone you know has an interesting story of historic significance to Sunset Hills, please feel free to contact the Historical Society via email at history@sunset-hills.com or call 408-315-5121 or 314-394-1280.

2019

January 28 - Diane Rademacher, Author of Famous Firsts of St. Louis

February 25 - Ann Blum, Author of The Steamer Admiral

March 25 - Sally & Rob Rains, All Roads Lead to St. Louis

April 13 - Earth & Arbor Day at the Sunset Hills Community Center

April 22 - Dan O’Neill, author of It's a Celebration,The Cardinals in the 1980s.

May 20 - Gary Kodner, author of St. Louis Cardinals Uniforms & Logos
Len Panneri, collector of Cardinal baseball memorabilia

June 24 - Jim Healey, Sunset Country Club

The Sunset Hills Historical Society (SHHS) invites the public to a timely summer program about golf, its local history and Sunset Country Club. Author and local golf historian Jim Healey will discuss his book, Sunset Country Club – St. Louis 1910 – 2010 on Monday, June 24 at 7 PM at the Sunset Hills City Hall.

Healey has written several books about local golf courses and the history of area golf, including St Louis Country Club, Bellerive Country Club, Old Warson Country Club. He most recently published a commemorative book after the last year’s PGA Tournament at Bellerive.

Healey’s book Sunset Country Club- St. Louis 1910 – 2010 was published in honor of its centennial celebration. Founded in 1911 by Adolphus Busch as the Sunset Inn, he wished to create an elegant environment in which to drink beer and wine.

The Sunset Inn was a hunting, riding and fishing club with its dark, clubby interior and included prize-winning taxidermy creations by Schwarz Studio, the oldest taxidermist in the county. Furnished with stained glass and accouterments from the 1904 Worlds Fair, the Sunset Inn was the most posh club in the south area.

It was August Busch Sr., and Eberhard Anheuser who enhanced the Sunset Inn with a golf course, begun in 1916 and opened in the summer of 1917.

At his presentation, Healey will also discuss the effect of the Depression on area golf courses, and the impact of the evolution on golf courses.

Jim Healey will be available for book sales and signings, and will also have other historic / coffee table books of other local golf courses.

The Sunset Hills Historical Society meetings typically take place on the fourth Monday of the month at 7 PM in the Sunset Hills City Hall’s chambers, at 3939 South Lindbergh Blvd., in Sunset Hills, 63127. Parking and seating are limited. Schedules are subject to change.

July 22 - “Mystery Mural House” members-only event at private home

August (summer break)

September 22 – German Fest

October 28 - Phil Denton, Missouri Route 66 – St. Louis Metro Area

November - Administrative meeting

December – Holiday break (no meeting)

Archives of the Sunset Hills Historical Society

If you or anyone you know has artifacts, documents, stories, or anything of historic significance, the Society would love to consider them for inclusion in the Sunset Hills archives.