County of bridge: St. Louis County
Location of bridge: Halsey St. & Boundary Road, Lemay
Built: 1939
Built By: CCC
This is another small bridge. It allowed movement from the seating area to the dance floor during the USO shows and parts given during World War II. Slightly different design. Made with smaller stones, but does not seem to be any rubble is in the Bandstand Bridge. The top is a triple arch affair, instead of a single sweep arch as the bandstand Bridge is. Again, allowing passage over the spring waters flowing and meandering through the Beverage Garden.
"Remains of a beer garden at Sylvan Springs Park in St. Louis County. Jefferson Barracks military outpost got its start here, the spot of an actual spring where troops camped in 1826 two days after a deed was signed to establish an infantry school. The 6th infantry built a beer garden at the spring in 1939. The garden include stone bridges, terraces, and still-visible details such as the initials "JB" at the end of a staircase and relief drawings of squirrels. It also had tables, chairs, barbecue pits, and a small dance floor. Judy Garland, Bob Hope, Danny Kaye, and a boxing match between Joe Lewis and Billy Conn entertained World War II troops here. The spring is now part of Sylvan Springs Park" ~ St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Green Marker Text:
~ SYLVAN SPRINGS ~
BEVERAGE GARDENSite of World War II Beverage Garden & Picnic Area built by 6th Infantry in 1939 for use by all troops stationed at Jefferson Barracks. Covering an acre, it was built of rock with a stream running through it. It had a small dance floor, tables, chairs, & barbecue pits.
"The old “Beverage Garden” is part of the Jefferson Barracks Historic Site in Sylvan Springs Park. It was constructed by the CCC in 1939. It consists of a sunken patio with a stream running through it and surrounded by decorative walls of stone in a classic CCC type construction. There is a plaque in the wall on the east side of the gardens. It served as a “beer garden” in the run-up to and during WW2, being immediately adjacent to Jefferson Barracks. It is no longer in use, however much of the stonework remains. ~ Living New Deal
Large Marker Text:
JEFFERSON BARRACKS HISTORIC SITE - SYLVAN SPRINGS
The grotto-like Beverage Garden at Sylvan Springs, with flagstone walks and hand-made stone bridges and walls, was constructed in 1939-40 by member of the 6th Infantry who were based at Jefferson Barracks.
The CCC (1933-1942) was a public relief program for unemployed men which provided vocational training in work related to conservation and the development of natural resources in the United States. Shortly after the CCC was created, a section of Jefferson Barracks was set aside as a conditioning camp for new members. In the Camp, members were trained to live and work in the outdoors. Members of the CCC at Jefferson Barracks came from all over the eastern half of Missouri with the first contingent coming from St. Louis.
When the Forrest Park Highlands was destroyed by fire in 1957 the St. Louis Carousel made by the Dentzel Company of Philadelphia in 1920 was bought by St. Louisan Howard C. Obendorf. In 1965, he donated it to the St. Louis County Department of Parks and Recreation and supervised its installation at Sylvan Springs County Park. It was operated during the summer until 1979. It was restored and put back into operation on May 9, 1987. In a new climate-controlled, glam-sided facility in Faust County Park.