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Photograph by Virginia Lee Hunter
A stone's throw away from downtown stand redbrick homes, some vibrant with life and others full of decay.
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Photograph by Virginia Lee Hunter
Developer Paul McKee of O'Fallon, Mo., stands on the front lawn of one of his properties, the historic James Clemens Mansion.
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Photograph by Virginia Lee Hunter
The intersection of 23rd and Madison was once a neighborhood with homes.
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Photograph by Virginia Lee Hunter
Juan Spencer and Anthony Barsh stop to view the vacant lots at 25th and Madison, a proposed area of McKee development. September 10, 2009.
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Photograph by Virginia Lee Hunter
Ernie's Market
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Photograph by Virginia Lee Hunter
Local signs
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Photograph by Virginia Lee Hunter
Carole Gates stands on the steps of her home of 40 years, which she shares with her husband. Her gardening and decorative landscape is reminiscent of the era when these homes were first built.
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Photograph by Virginia Lee Hunter
A home displaying a sign in reaction.
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Photograph by Virginia Lee Hunter
Ida Mobely raised her children, now adults, in this house.
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Photograph by Virginia Lee Hunter
Neighbors Sheila Rendon and Ida Mobely visit on Mobely's front porch. Rendon is the third generation to live in the family's brick home in north St. Louis; she and her husband are currently raising their two children there as well.
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Photograph by Virginia Lee Hunter
Neighbors Sheila Rendon and Ida Mobely pick cherry tomatoes in the garden Rendon built. Rendon is the third generation to live in the family's brick home in north St. Louis; she and her husband are currently raising their two children there as well.
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Photograph by Virginia Lee Hunter
Keith Marquard and Barbara Mazara of the North Side Community Benefits Alliance pose on the lawn of St. Louis Park, an area once considered the height of elegance and now thought to be on the wrecking map.
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Photograph by Virginia Lee Hunter
Horse rides are part of the entertainment at a Sunday afternoon social at Grace Baptist Church on Cass Avenue.
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Photograph by Virginia Lee Hunter
Youth members of Grace Baptist Church mingle during their annual Sunday social.
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Photograph by Virginia Lee Hunter
An elderly member of Grace Baptist Church observes the community mingling at the annual Sunday social.
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Photograph by Virginia Lee Hunter
A bicyclist rides across Florissant Boulevard, north of downtown St. Louis.
Photographs by Virginia Lee Hunter
