All Rise - Old St Louis Courthouse is a photograph by Stephen Stookey which was uploaded on December 11th, 2019.
All Rise - Old St Louis Courthouse
Black Friday 2019 in downtown St Louis: I opted out of shopping and walked to the Old St Louis Courthouse from my nearby downtown Saint Louis hotel.... more
Title
All Rise - Old St Louis Courthouse
Artist
Stephen Stookey
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Black Friday 2019 in downtown St Louis: I opted out of shopping and walked to the Old St Louis Courthouse from my nearby downtown Saint Louis hotel. The beautiful mid-19th century Federal style architecture of the Old Courthouse is stunning. The structure is part of the Gateway Arch National Park. I went with two objectives in mind: one accomplished one delayed. Camera in tow, as usual when traveling, I planned to get a few pictures before the rush of holiday tourists arrived. Alas, I left my camera battery in the room. Objective temporarily unaccomplished.--I returned later in the day with camera AND battery. The second objective: reflect on those who fight for justice amidst a culture of injustice.
The courthouse opened in 1845 and served as the scene for the first two trials (the case began in 1846 with trials in 1847 & 1850) that led to the monumental, yet horrific, March 1857 USSC Dred Scott decision. It’s a case I’ve studied many times and spoken about in classes. Chief Justice Taney’s majority decision (7-2 ruling) 1) stripped any claim to citizenship and constitutional rights from America’s black slave population [the horrific], 2) further divided the country over the slave question, provided political capital for the recently created Republican Party to capture the White House in 1860 (a far different party than in the 1850s than its current iteration), and 3) accelerated events leading to Civil War [the monumental]. Scott, and his family, gained their freedom in May 1857 when the family of his original owner gained custody and granted freedom. Scott died four months later of tuberculosis. Additionally, the courthouse was the scene for Virginia Minor’s 1873 women’s voting rights case.
The Old St. Louis Courthouse is an often overlooked gem within the National Park System, offering a powerful remembrance of those who fought for justice and equality.
Uploaded
December 11th, 2019
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