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A
dvancing
T
he
K
ingdom
: K
ingdom
H
ouse
attitude in the neighborhood came, Koeppe
says, when the residents of the Darst-Webbe
and Clinton-Peabody apartments of the St.
Louis Housing Authority organized tenant
management corporations. Participating
more in the decisions affecting apartment
policies, the tenants appreciate and take
better care of their apartments, Koeppe said.
Now, Koeppe, who is approaching 65 and
will retire in the fall, says Kingdom House
no longer needs to make excuses for the
neighborhood but rather should take pride
in showing it off.
‘Wherever I go in the city, people come
up to tell me how they grew up in the
neighborhood and remember what Kingdom
House meant to them as a child,’ Koeppe
said. ...
WITH THE
[sic] installation of
hospitals and recreation centers in the
neighborhood, the medical clinic, adult
education classes and athletic program at
102
Kingdom House have been replaced by such
programs as social recreation for youth –
chess, checkers and roller skating – a family
counseling service, a day care center, a club
of senior citizens called the ‘Golden Agers,’
and a ‘Thrift Shop’ where used clothing in
perfect shape is sold at prices from 5 cents
to $1.”
45
As Koeppe states in the article,
Ralston Purina was also an important
agent in promoting and providing
stability in the neighborhood. R. Hal
Dean, Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of the company in an
interview in 1974 stated, “We have come
to a growing awareness of the need for
B
A
C
P
hotos
:
A:
View from the east
of the newly completed
building
B:
Children view newest
Kingdom House resident
C:
The new tower