Mary T. Helbling and her Mother, Anna May Beerbower Helbling, in St. Louis, Missouri

Mary T. Helbling and her mother Anna May Beerbower Helbling, on the street in St. Louis, Missouri, possibly around 1940.

Helbling Family (Click for Family Tree)

Back in the day, there were often cameras set up along busy city streets- not for surveillance, traffic, or weather, like today, but to take pictures of persons as they were shopping, going to appointments or work, running out for lunch, etc. This is one of those photos, taken of Mary Theresa Helbling (later McMurray) and her mother, Anna May Beerbower Helbling. Mary would have been 15 in 1940, so we are guesstimating that year approximately for this image, but it could be earlier or later.

People dressed up back then to go shopping- even to the grocery store. Love the hat that May is wearing. (Anna May used her middle name.)

We do have a bit of information on the back of the photo:

Reverse of photo of Mary T. Helbling and her mother Anna May Beerbower Helbling on the street in St. Louis, Missouri. The handwriting is Mary’s in later years.

We have not found much about the photographer nor what we think may be “Weil for Men” (or “Weir”? “We II”?) That is the business in the background- see also image in Note #1. Knowing the store would tell us where they were in St. Louis when it was taken. That information would also narrow the time frame, so we have a request out to St. Louis County Public Library for a directory lookup and will update when we learn anything new.

 

Notes, Sources, and References: 

  1. Here is another photo taken at the same place: https://mohistory.org/collections/item/N36723
  2. The Ashen-Brenner Studio is listed in a 1925 St. Louis City Directory: https://stlouis.genealogyvillage.com/1925photographers.htm
  3. Another link stated the studio was in business in the first half of the 20th century, but will not post that link because it seems to be a sketchy website.

 

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