THE HISTORY OF THE LIGHT

1903: The Beginning

The University City Searchlight was installed in the roof of the Woman's Magazine building when the building was constructed by E.G. Lewis in 1903. David R. Francis, who would open the world's fair in 1904, laid the cornerstone for the building.

1904: The Searchlight Shines

The searchlight shone over the 1904 World's Fair and attracted individuals from the fair to E.G. Lewis' publishing building to sell them subscriptions as well as stays in his "Tent City" that was built specially for the visitors to the fair.

1930: The Woman's Magazine Building Becomes City Hall

After many years of growth University City outgrows it's current city hall building and decides that the Woman's Magazine Building is the perfect new home. Due to this the light was restored so that it could shine again over our great city

1964-65 Robert Norvell Saves It

In 1964 the light is "rediscovered" by assistant city engineer Robert Norvell. With $1,000 budget he is able to restore it to working order in a year. This was assisted by Granite City Steel, Guarantee Electric, McDonnel Aircraft, Union Carbide and Bi-State Transit Authority. This work would see the internals of the light retrofitted to utilize WWII searchlight parts. Shortly after this it appears that Robert Norvell would leave University City. We have not been successful in determining the rest of his history and what he went on to to. He came in to save the light and then faded out to history (for now).

1965 The Light Is Re-lit

The searchlight was officially re-lite on May 10th, 1965 by Mayor Kaufman. Mayor Nathan Kaufman was Mayor of University City from 1958-1978. His son Bill Kaufman at the time a teenager would take an interest in the light and be the one who would maintain it from then to the present day.

1965-Present: The Light to Today

After the searchlight was re-lite in 1965 it would be utilized for special events throughout the years and would rise out of the roof to prominence to shine over the city again.

Bill Kaufman has dutifully maintained the light over all these years but it is time to put some elbow grease into it again to ensure it shines for the next 100 years.