Tandy Recreation Center

Tandy Recreation Center is in the heart of the historic Ville neighborhood, across the street from Sumner High School and the Annie Malone Children’s Home.

Built in 1938 in the western portion of Tandy Park, Tandy Center is at the corner of Kennerly Avenue and Annie Malone Drive. Tandy Addition was purchased in 1962.

Phillip Brown, former director of Tandy Center, is shown in the photo at right by the bulletin board that details activities planned at Tandy. Everyone who uses the center can check out the newest activities, neighborhood group meeting schedules, classes and latest news by checking the bulleting board.

Tandy Center serves the many residents of the Ville area, including children who live at the Annie Malone Home, students from Sumner High School and senior citizens who live in apartments and centers like the Homer G. Phillips Dignity House, a senior living community created in the former Homer G. Phillips Hospital.

Tandy Center has a gymnasium, stage, indoor swimming pool, senior citizen room, boxing workout room, crafts room and game room.

Tandy Park has a playground, softball and baseball fields and four tennis courts, where Arthur Ashe, among others, played. The park also features an outdoor skating rink and outdoor basketball and volleyball courts.

Tiny Tots are taught socialization skills to prepare them for school such as group activities, crafts, hand-eye coordination exercises and motor skills practices.

Older children can enjoy double-dutch, crafts, boxing and game room activities like chess, scrabble, foosball and billiards. They also can participate in dramatics and story telling, dance activities and special events such as fashion shows.

Tandy is known for having outstanding arts and crafts programs. Crafts such as making jewelry, paper Mache art, drawing and painting are offered for all age groups.

Sports activities include basketball, softball, soccer, track, football, volleyball, boxing and martial arts.

Adults can participate in ping pong, crafts, game room activities, aerobics and boxing.

Senior Citizens can enjoy crafts, card games and field trips. There are special water activities aimed at people with arthritis.

The center is wheelchair accessible on the lower level only.

Tandy Park

It is impossible to separate Tandy Center from Tandy Park.

The 5.60 acre park was purchased by the City of St. Louis in 1918.

Tandy Park and its recreation center are named for Captain Charlton Hunt Tandy (1836-1919), a black Civil War veteran, who became captain of "Tandy's Saint Louis Guard," a state militia composed of black volunteers recruited by Tandy. After the Civil War, Tandy used his prominent position to increase the rights and opportunities for African Americans.

In 1866 Tandy worked to enforce the court order allowing blacks to ride inside public transportation vehicles. He prevented drivers from passing waiting black passengers by grabbing the reins and holding the horse until black and white passengers alike were allowed to board. Tandy was arrested for this action, but supported by Erastus Wells, the streetcar line owner, who paid his fine and said that blacks should be permitted to sit anywhere on the street cars.

Tandy was instrumental in establishing the high school for blacks in Jefferson City that later became Lincoln University; in getting the appointment of black teachers and principals in St. Louis public schools; and in assisting poor black emigrants from the South who came to St. Louis. Tandy spent his last days as the Republican committeeman for the city's Tenth Ward.

For more information, contact the center at 652-5131 or the Recreation Division at 289-5320.