Market Days at Soulard

Following is a poem excerpted from a slender volume of poetry and prose titled Market Days at Soulard by Adolf Schultz. A notation on the back of the title page states: "Copy. 1947 Adolf John Schultz." No identification of publisher is provided. The 53-page, paper bound and stapled booklet is in the library of the St. Louis Building Arts Foundation. Dolman Street, remnants of which are located in Soulard and in the Lafayette Square neighborhoods, apparently boasted a greater number of homes prior to the arrival of highway construction and urban blight.

Don Finch is a familiar and friendly face to those offering social services at Sts. Peter and Paul Church and Trinity Lutheran Church, both in Soulard, as well as at St. Patrick Center downtown. (People Productions photo by Clark Rowley)

Dolman Street

Laughter echoes in the rooms
Handsome men walk in the halls
Lovely ladies daint'ly groomed
Grace the chairs about the wall,
For the stately edifice
Entertains invited guests.

The coaches seek this mansion
Bringing fares of crinoline;
The driver there envisions
Courtly company within.
And the vaulted portico
Welcome lady and her beau.

Visitors have long since gone,
Now the doors are always locked.
Aging curtains closely drawn,
Loosened shutters swing and knock.
Stead of lover's loit'ring talk,
Grass is growing in the walks.

A new owner is assigned,
House repaired for his advent.
To the front is nailed a sign
Saying "Furnished Rooms for Rent."
Now the lodgers seek their rest
In this stately edifice.