Interview with Joan Wilson Steinert, 2025
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10.20.25–10.24.25
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Conversation with Danya Gerasimova
Joan Wilson Steinert lived near the Missouri Portland Cement factory from 1962 to 1984.
Danya:
Do you remember the Missouri Portland Cement factory?
Joan Wilson Steinert:
The main Portland cement company in St. Louis was the Missouri Portland Cement Company, which operated the Prospect Hill plant. However, the company closed in 1991, and the last quarry was decommissioned in 1998.
Our blacktop driveways would look like it snowed each morning since they blew their stacks at night.
Danya:
Could you tell me how long you lived in the area for and on which street?
Joan Wilson Steinert:
I lived on Valley Dr from 1962 to 1984.
Danya:
How would you describe your neighborhood in that time period?
Joan Wilson Steinert:
Blue collar, mostly Catholic, large families with six plus kids. Stay-at-home moms.
Danya:
Were a lot of folks in the neighborhood employed by the cement factory?
Joan Wilson Steinert:
I don't recall any of my friends' parents working there. There were factory homes close to the factory: the houses on Scranton, Leeton, and West. Some of these homes didn't have indoor plumbing in the early ‘70s.
Danya:
And the quarry of the Missouri Portland Cement factory was located here, between Scranton, Lilac and Riverview Drive, right?
Joan Wilson Steinert:
Yes, from what I remember.
Danya:
Do you remember much talk about pollution from the factory in the neighborhood? Was that something your friends or their parents were actively concerned about?
Joan Wilson Steinert:
Yes, we talked about it often. Mom tried turning them into the state multiple times. Our blacktop driveway would be covered in ash/cement dust when they discharged their stacks at night. My dad would complain that it was wrecking the paint on the cars.
Danya:
I see, and do you remember your mom or others interacting with environmental activists? Have you seen flyers or letters like this one distributed?
Joan Wilson Steinert:
I have seen flyers similar to that. I can't swear it was exactly that.
Danya:
Do you recall how folks in the neighborhood reacted to the factory closing down?
Joan Wilson Steinert:
Most were very happy.
