The University City Searchlight was installed by E.G. Lewis on top of the Woman's Magazine Building when it was built in 1903.  The light shone over 1904 World's Fair that was held in St. Louis' Forest Park.

E.G. Lewis utilized the light to attract visitors to his tent city just outside the fair grounds as well as new and potential subscribers to his magazine "The Woman's Magazine."

E.G Lewis would go on to leave University City in 1912 after various issues with business ventures and the law.  After this the Woman's Magazine Building would sit empty for a time until University City formally made the building their city hall in 1930 after outgrowing the previous building.   

Over time the light was all but forgotten; stored away in the enclosed roof until it was "rediscovered" in the 60's.   During the undertaking of a monumental restoration project in the mid 60's the light was retrofitted with the internals from a WWII searchlight.   

The light rises out of the roof on a custom built counter weight elevator.

The Historical Society of University City's goal is to ensure that the light can be operated on a more regular basis and ensure that the community is aware of the existence of this amazing piece of history.