Bevo Mill: Glorious Past, Hopeful Future

Yesterday I had the opportunity to get a tour of the Bevo Mill and talk to Alderman Gregali about his thoughts on the future of the building and it’s place in the community.

Bevo Mill has been in the news a lot of the past several months.  Just before the end of 2008 there was the news Anheuser-Busch InBev transferred the building to the city and most recently the Mill has been the subject of some controversy as the former tenants struggled to keep the doors open. 

Bevo Mill represents a lot of different things to different people.  To some it was where their parents took them as children, to others where they held their wedding reception and to all a reminder of St. Louis’ long and proud heritage.

Bevo Mill is truly and important peice of our architectual history. History after the fold.  

 During the years just prior to Europe’s involvement in World War I, August A. Busch, Sr. and his architects explored The Old World for examples of Flemish architectural styles. With his plan to build an authentic mill in his native St. Louis, Mr. Busch studied various construction methods of the Dutch windmills. When he returned to St. Louis, he chose the spot, in 1915, at Gravois Road and Morganford because it was approximately halfway between the Anheuser Busch Brewery and Grant’s Farm, his home. Gravois Road was also the route taken by Ulysses S. Grant to haul the cordwood into St. Louis during the antebellum days.

The magnificent tile wall panels were originally produced at the Berlin Porcelain Works in 1890-91 and exhibited at the World’s fair in Chicago in 1893. After several years on display at Tony Faust’s famous restaurant in St. Louis, Mr. Busch purchased them and had them moved to the the wall they now adorn in the Mill Room. Painstakingly installed, piece by piece, only on close inspection can one notice the single error the tile layers made in the placement of the murals. All other tiles, light fixtures and millwork are original, carefully restored through 1984-86.

Some of the much-admired stained glass windows, which were added to the main dining room a few years after the Bevo Mill was built, were moved to the downstairs bar and banquet room. The art glass windows currently in the main dining room are similar to the original type installed during the Bevo’s opening. When Anheuser-Busch decided to rehabilitate and refurbish the Bevo Mill, they spared no expense. Spending 20 months and well over one million dollars, the Brewery painstakingly brought the Bevo, long a St. Louis landmark, back to its original splendor.

Mr. Busch used the beautiful Mill Room as his private dining room for many years. The remainder of the restaurant was open to the public in 1917, and carried out Mr. Busch’s idea of a constructive temperance policy. Back when prohibition was the controversy of the day, the Bevo Mill served only Bevo, (a non-alcoholic drink that tasted like beer), reguli beer and wines to its clientele. The drinks were served only at tables, usually with meals. A novel idea back then, the practice became very popular and resulted in Bevo Mill becoming a favorite family restaurant. In addition, many visitors to the Brewery and Grant’s Farm stopped by to refresh themselves and enjoy the hearty German-style dining delights for which the place became famous.

Complete in 1916 for the then-incredible sum of $250,000, the Bevo boasts quite a few unique architectural points of interest. The windmill is 60 feet in diameter and revolves on a 24 inch shaft extending through a marble bearing. Originally, the blades were wooden and propelled by wind. In 1954, the blades were damaged by a fierce wind, striking the tower. They were replaced by aluminum blades and are now electronically operated. The exterior of the building is finished with specially selected stones of all colors, shapes and textures, personally gathered by Mr. Busch from Grant’s Farm, and set in stucco.

Following the German and Dutch tradition, a pair of storks were mounted on top of the chimney to ensure good luck. The rotisserie located at the end of the main dining room is not the original, but was reintroduced by the current operators to bring the room closer to its original design. The original rotisserie was capable of roasting up to 25 chickens at one time. The vaulted ceilings of the foyer and Mill Room have groined arches which end in stone-carved gnomes, unusual in design and character. The gnomes were exhibited at the Paris Exhibition of 1898 and cost and additional $50,000.

 The city is currently seeking proposals for new management of Bevo Mill.  Alderman Steve Gregali has been involved in the process even before the news broke about the problems.  We asked to him to provide some insight into where Bevo Mill is going and the role that it plays in the community…

 What does Bevo Mill represent to the 14^th Ward and the community?

 ”Overall, the Bevo Mill is a historic landmark in the heart of South City that has defined one of its’ many neighborhoods. The “Bevo Neighborhood” and the City, for many years has used the artistry of the mill on many of its’ newsletters, business signs, yard monuments and its’ namesake for the Community Organization, Senior Center and apartments that have been in the area for over 30 years. It is a primary part of the vocabulary in South City. Where else can you find a Dutch Windmill in the heart of a U. S. City?

 It is so unique… The vast history and lore of the Mill is priceless.”

What is the plan to get the Mill open to patrons again and what is your vision for how it will operate?

“ The plan is to seek out an operator for the Mill that would first keep the historical significance of the building and the neighborhood in mind.

 I envision that the operation will be one of a combined banquet and restaurant facility and the ultimate goal is to restore and bring back to the “Bevo Neighborhood” its identity

 The Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority (LCRA) has a Request for Proposal listed on the St. Louis Community Information network (stlouis.missouri.org – under the development tab) that indicates the requirements and what type of operation the City is seeking to fill the spot.

 The selection committee will sift through the various proposals to determine how it will operate. “

 

Posted by The Core Editor on Apr 8 2009. Filed under Neighborhoods, People. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.