Professional Writing
Restoring History: The Magic Chef Mansion
Just off South Grand Blvd. in St. Louis City, the Magic Chef Mansion is a timeless testament to the city's rich history and architectural grandeur. Located in the Compton Hill neighborhood, this charming estate was originally constructed in 1908 for Charles Stockstrom, the founder of the Magic Chef Stove Company. Designed by prominent architect Ernst Janssen, this three-story, 12,000-square-foot mansion since its construction has captivated visitors with its intriguing past, grandiosity, and enduring legacy of the Magic Chef brand.
From the Archive:
Gladys Manion
In 1957, 17 years before federal legislation allowed women to obtain a mortgage without a male co-signer, Gladys Manion became the first woman to be elected president of the St. Louis County Board, known today as St. Louis REALTORS®. According to a 1943 St. Louis Post-Dispatch article, "Iron nerves, a sunny disposition, and a love of humanity" were the three principles Manion said she believed were required to run a successful real estate business. In the early 20th century, when real estate was male-dominated, these truths would help guide her through her lifelong career.
ChatGPT and Real Estate
In November of 2022, OpenAI released ChatGPT. The artificial intelligence (AI) program garnered worldwide attention as users everywhere utilize it to create emails, social posts, and even lines of code. The program has caused some to raise eyebrows about what this means for the future of educational essays, social media jobs, and even real estate. However, many professionals have praised it for the time it saves them and the ease of use.
St. Louis Heart & Soul–
Laumeire Sculpture Park
Located in Sunset Hills, Laumeier Sculpture Park is a long-standing St. Louis landmark that draws visitors from all over the region. Originally one of the country's first and largest sculpture parks, it was founded in 1976 when Matilda Laumeier donated 72 acres of land to St. Louis County in memory of her husband, Henry Laumeier.
St. Louis Heart & Soul –
World Chess Hall of Fame
Next time you find yourself perusing the many shops and restaurants of Maryland Plaza in the Central West End, be sure to keep an eye out for the World's Largest Chess Piece. This giant king chess piece marks the entrance of the World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) and chess campus. The king piece measures 20 feet tall and nine feet, two inches in diameter at the base—certified by Guinness World Records on April 6, 2018. Originally established in 1984, the World Chess Hall of Fame did not find its home in St. Louis until 2011, when it was moved from Miami, Florida.