The Commonspace > March 2003 > The Ordinary Eye

It's not all work and no play for me, even though I spend my days serving as president and CEO of Drone & Mueller and Associates and the company's interactive group. I also sponsor several student photography contests each year, and shoot my own photographs around town. Below are a few of my favorite spots.

1) Glistening Gateway: This award-winning image was shot at dusk from a tripod set precariously on the edge of nearby Highway 70. Just as I was ready to shoot the photo, a lady and a little boy appeared on the horizon, lending a human but unplanned touch to the composition.
2) Busch Stadium: Completed in 1966, Busch Stadium is still considered one of the major league's most beautiful stadiums. Its crown of arched openings complements the nearby Arch. The sculpture of Stan "The Man" Musial is located just outside the stadium in the Plaza of Champions, along with other Cardinal greats.
3) Eads Bridge: Designed by battleship engineer James B. Eads in the 1860s, the Eads Bridge was the first to use steel truss spans. Originally, the bridge's top level was for pedestrians and streetcars, while the lower level held a double railroad track.
4) Old Courthouse: Construction of the original Federal Style courthouse began in 1826. The courthouse was transformed into a Greek revival style in 1839, with annexes and a cast-iron dome added decades later.
5) Old Cathedral with Arch: This Greek revival cathedral, built in 1834, is the oldest cathedral west of the Mississippi. It is one of only several buildings to survive the Great Fire of 1849, and was designated the "Basilica of St. Louis" by Pope John XXIII.
6) Arch with Clouds: At 630 feet, the Gateway Arch is the nation's tallest monument. It is part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, established to commemorate westward expansion in the United States between 1803 and 1890.
7) Jewel Box: This Art Deco floral conservatory and greenhouse, known for its unconventional design and 50-ft. glass walls, has graced St. Louis Forest Park since 1936.
8) History Museum: Built as a tribute to Thomas Jefferson, the "Jefferson Memorial" stands on the former site of the 1904 World's Fair entrance. The building was funded by proceeds from the Fair, and today houses a wealth of exhibits and educational displays.
9) Bevo Mill: Today a popular south St. Louis restaurant and tourist attraction, the 3-story Bevo Mill was originally a working windmill. It was built by August A. Busch, Sr., a founder of the Anheuser-Busch brewery.
10) Missouri Pacific Building: This 22-story Art Deco/Gothic Revival building features a U-shaped plan above its second floor. It is currently being reviewed by the Landmarks Association of St. Louis to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
11) James S. McDonnell Planetarium: A part of the St. Louis Science Center, the planetarium opened in 1963 in Forest Park. It was temporarily closed in the 1990s while undergoing a $13-million renovation, and today houses the Boeing Space Station and an 80-ft. dome theater.
12) Lemp Mansion: This 33-room mansion was built in 1868 and purchased by William and Julia Lemp in 1876. Due to a series of family deaths that occurred in the home, it is widely believed to be haunted.

Michael Drone, a St. Louis native, has been an avid photographer throughout much of his thirty-plus year career in communications and advertising. See more of his work at www.droneimages.com, which showcases black-and-white and infrared photography of St. Louis landmarks and architecture.