Why are whites moving back into the Skinker-DeBaliviere area?
This question is answered in a report done by Daniel Jaworowski, a St. Roch teacher and graduate student at the University of Missouri. The report was part of his classwork in an urban affairs seminar in the political science department at the University.
The subject of his report was “Why White Families Would Buy A Home In A Heavily Integrated Area.”
Mr. Jaworowski interviewed 17 out of the 31 buyers who have moved into the area since March 1970.
The answer? Far outstripping any other reason, the economic factor was the principal cause for buying a home. Just under 50 per cent of those interviewed stated that in no way could they even consider purchasing a comparable home in the suburbs at the same price. Many of them were of the opinion that as far as the building structure goes, the $30,000 to $40,000 suburb home cannot stand up to these turn-of-the-century edifices. “The craftsmanship displayed in these houses was buried with the death of the last bricklayer who built them,” was the comment of one individual.
Prices paid for the homes went from a high of $21,000 down to $7,000 with a median price of $15,000. One of the $7,000 homeowners estimated an investment of $14,000 in renovation costs. Another who spent $18,000 for his home has not yet had any expense.
Only two experienced difficulty in getting loan approval.
“The people themselves were the second highest selling factor. Eleven buyers mentioned this, with five placing it as the primary factor for buying. Closely allied to this was “the sense of neighborhood” that pervades the area. The former meant having one or two close relationships and casual acquaintance with others. The latter had the connotation of a feeling that was larger than any individual. Perhaps, the best way to classify this intangible sense of neighborhood might be to call it an esprit de corps.
“Integration was a factor in buying a home in eight instances. Of the eight, three said that this was the primary cause of purchase
“The last reason was the idea of a ‘big old house.’ First of all, for some families it was practical. For others, aesthetics seemed to be a determining factor. They appreciated the beauty and craftsmanship of the homes and were willing to invest because of this.
“In addition other factors were (a) convenience to job, church, school, cultural areas, etc. (b) this was a balanced, real world. The world is diverse and people have to accept it as such. Furthermore, people profit from exposure to diversity — religious, ethnic, economic, social — for their world is broadened. (c) Four buyers wanted to renovate a home and fulfill a personal ambition in doing so. (d) For two people it seemed to be simple love of city life.”
What kind of people buy these homes? Of the 31 people interviewed (husbands and wives considered separately) 27 came from what would be defined as predominately white backgrounds. Four had lived in integrated neighborhoods previously. Eleven of 17 had lived in the area before buying into it.
Occupations varied from professor to student, lawyer to blue collar worker. Of the 17 heads of household, 13 had received a college education. Only one of the persons interviewed was over forty. Most had become interested in the area because they knew someone who lived here. In five cases Washington University was the motivating force. Most of the homeowners were well acquainted with the area. In at least ten cases the Resident Service was helpful, citing their friendly “sense of recruitment”. Mr. Jaworowski states that one of the groups most instrumental in maintaining the neighborhood is the Residential Service headed by Joan Bender and Suzanne Hart. The voluntary organization, has been successful because – of “the friendly sense of recruitment, and the informal word-of-mouth advertising.”
Originally published in The Paper, December 1972.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1972_12.pdf, printed page(s) 1, 3.
