1940s

Explore 1940s St. Louis on the WWII home front through the 1943 Municipal Opera program, period business ads, and vivid personal photographs. Discover vintage fashion and pinup-style shoots alongside theater culture that reveal how entertainment, style, and commerce adapted to wartime realities. From local advertisements supporting the war effort to candid slides of daily life, this tag curates authentic artifacts and stories that bring the era to life. Ideal for researchers of WWII social history, vintage fashion enthusiasts, and St. Louis heritage fans seeking primary-source context.

Icecream cone high heels pinup PhotoShoot

Icecream cone high heels pinup PhotoShoot

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I had such a fun time photographing Dixie Dupree, a pinup model in St. Louis, styled in her vintage pink dress and her whimsical homemade ice cream cone high heels! This modern pinup photoshoot captured the playful essence of vintage glamour, nodding to a time when fashion was fun, quirky, and full of personality. The session—a collaboration with Sherrie from Studio 281 Photography—celebrated the timeless charm of mid-century style and the creativity of retro-inspired photography.

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1945 Wedding Reception or Garden Party

1945 Wedding Reception or Garden Party

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I found these fascinating slide photos in a box labeled “August 9 – 45,” showcasing what appears to be a 1945 wedding reception or garden party. The images offer a beautiful glimpse into post-World War II life, with vintage hairstyles, military attire, and family moments captured in vivid Kodachrome detail. From elegant gloves and dresses to a nostalgic shot of baking a cake with Domino sugar, these photos tell a story of hope and celebration during a time when the world was rebuilding.

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1940s street suit on Anita

1940s street suit on Anita

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This stunning golden yellow wool skirt suit is a pristine example of early 1940s wartime fashion. Photographed as part of my project documenting the clothing collection at the Carondelet Historical Society in St. Louis, this “1942 street suit” embodies the practicality and elegance of WWII-era style. Captured on South Broadway, a historic area in St. Louis that thrived in the 1940s, the ensemble reflects the era’s tailored designs, featuring padded shoulders, a modest skirt length, and careful attention to detail. Styled with vintage nylon stockings, pearls, gloves, and a period-perfect hat, this outfit brings history to life in an authentic setting.

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WWII WAC Uniform on Zizi

WWII WAC Uniform on Zizi

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Zizi V. brought the 1940s to life in the WWII Women’s Army Corps (WAC) uniform during this meaningful shoot. As my third and final model for this outfit, we explored outdoor settings and natural light to evoke the essence of wartime photography. Paying homage to the trailblazing women who served in the WAC during WWII, every element—from Zizi’s makeup to her era-accurate stockings—captured the authenticity of the 1940s. This series highlights both the emotional legacy of these women and the timelessness of their contributions.

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Historical Bus Routes to the Muny in 1943

Historical Bus Routes to the Muny in 1943

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It appears as if bus service to the Muny at Forest Park during World War II was very comprehensive! Bus service extended as far as Gravois and Hampton, Grand and Holly Hills, 3rd and Washington (downtown), Florissant and Kingshighway, and Delmar and DeBalviere… a pretty wide radius!

Also in these last few pages of the 1943 St Louis Municipal Opera program, besides ads, was the list of large donors who gave to the Municipal Theatre Associations guarantee fund. It reads like a long list of old St. Louis society’s who’s-who and includes Adolphus Busch II and his son, August Buch (of the Anheuser-Busch brewery). It’s interesting to see who the early supporters of the Muny were!

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A Brief History of the Muny – St. Louis Municipal Theater Association History (as written in 1943)

A Brief History of the Muny – St. Louis Municipal Theater Association History (as written in 1943)

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Explore the rich St. Louis Muny Opera history through these pages from the 1943 St. Louis Municipal Opera program. This archive includes the comprehensive Municipal Opera Productions Directory (from 1919-1942), offering a detailed glimpse into the evolution and milestones of the Muny Association, a cornerstone of St. Louis’ cultural heritage.

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List of St. Louis Businesses in 1943

List of St. Louis Businesses in 1943

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Discover the fascinating history of St. Louis businesses in 1943 as highlighted in the St. Louis Municipal Opera’s Silver Anniversary program. This WWII-era ephemera showcases local companies operating for over 50 and 75 years, revealing a vibrant economic history dating back to the 19th century. Explore businesses like Shapleigh Hardware, Christian Peper Tobacco, and Lindenwood College that shaped St. Louis’ economic and cultural legacy, all alongside wartime reminders to “Buy War Bonds.”

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Synopsis of The Great Waltz and more 1943 St. Louis Business advertisments

Synopsis of The Great Waltz and more 1943 St. Louis Business advertisments

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Here are more St. Louis beer and brewery advertisements and the synopsis of The Great Waltz from the 1943 St. Louis Municipal Opera Program.

Advertisers in these pages included: Falstaff Brewing Company, Manhattan Coffee, Efficiency Service Co (employment specialists), Griesedieck Brothers Brewing Company, The Circus Snack Bar at the Forest Park Hotel, and the Gaylord Container Corporation.

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1940s ads for St. Louis Businesses

1940s ads for St. Louis Businesses

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These 4 pages of the 1943 St. Louis Municipal Opera Program were a little less blatantly patriotic, but such a preponderance overall of beer advertisements and funeral parlors! In today’s modern theater program, you might find one advertisement for a Mausoleum, but not so many… it reminds me that 1943 was the thick of World War II when peoples’ husbands, sons, fathers and friends were coming home in body bags or not at all.

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1940s theater program advertisements

1940s theater program advertisements

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Here are 4 more pages out of the 25th Anniversary Program for the 1943 season at the St. Louis Municipal Opera (The Muny). The St. Louis Municipal Opera was started in 1918, and 1943 was the 25th (Silver Anniversary) Season. Included is an advertisement for the musical romance “Rosalie”, an ad for Hunter Meat Food Products (out of East St. Louis Illinois), Philip Morris Cigarettes, Alpen Brau Beer (and KMOX) promotional advertisement, and an ad for Nu Grape Soda (bottled locally by American Soda Water Co.).

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1940s Style Pinup

1940s Style Pinup

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This 1940s dress was such fun to photograph! It has red buttons down the front and an abstract polka dot pattern. I put a smart black hat on the model. Like many dresses of the era, it was unlined and meant to be worn over a slip or under=dress. We borrowed a rolling red wooden storage box as the only prop with this simple set. I love the model’s exaggerated “cheesecake pinup” expressions! She did her own makeup and hair, too.

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A woman in a WAC uniform reading a newspaper during WWII.

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