M-358: Gene McNary Collection

Repository: St. Louis Mercantile Library Special Collections

Title: M-358: Gene McNary Collection

Date: 1963-2010

Extent: 5 linear feet (2 record boxes and oversized items)

Location note: Archives

Language: English

Abstract: The Gene McNary Collection consists of correspondence, business records, photographs, newspaper articles, political cartoons, and personal items that relate to Mr. McNary’s political life in St. Louis, MO. There is a wide variety of political cartoons that reflect Mr. McNary in both a positive and negative light. The Collection also has a number of newspaper articles and documents that relate to his political campaign in 1974 for St. Louis County Supervisor and the St. Louis Cardinals NFL stadium proposal in 1987.

Biographical note: Mr. Gene McNary was born on September 14, 1935 in Muncie, Indiana. After graduating with his law degree from Indiana University, Mr. McNary moved to St. Louis, MO. He spent two years with the Lashly, Lashly & Miller law firm and then started his political career by becoming the Assistant Public Defender for St. Louis, County in 1963. In 1966, Mr. McNary was elected for the Prosecuting Attorney of St. Louis County. Then in 1974, Mr. McNary was elected the County Executive of St. Louis County (County Supervisor) where he served until 1989. While Mr. McNary was County Supervisor, he put together a stadium proposal to keep the St. Louis Cardinals (NFL) in St. Louis. The team eventually moved to Arizona after a lawsuit by St. Louis City. In 1980 he lost the Senate election to Senator Thomas Eagleton. In 1984 he lost the Republican primary for Governor to John Ashcroft who was the Attorney General. In 1989, Mr. McNary was appointed to the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service by President George H.W. Bush. Mr. McNary formed the law firm McNary, Morris & Smalley and ran for a number of political positions that he lost in election. Mr. McNary was appointed the Executive Director of the Missouri Gaming Commission by Governor Matt Blunt from 2006-2010. Mr. McNary is married to Susan McNary and they have five children together. His son is Missouri State Representative Cole McNary.

Scope and Content note: The Gene McNary Collection consists of correspondence, business records, photographs, newspaper articles, political cartoons, and personal items that relate to Mr. McNary’s political life in St. Louis, MO. The various items of the collection include personal artifacts, such as hats and trophies, and also artifacts for St. Louis County, such as posters and city signs. The political cartoons cover Mr. McNary’s political career in St. Louis, MO. Mr. McNary saved both the positive and negative cartoons that reflect his time as the St. Louis County supervisor and his time spent on the St. Louis Cardinals NFL stadium proposal. A few of the cartoons have been signed by the artists. The photographs in the collection are from Mr. McNary’s political career. A majority of the photographs are from the “Toast of the Town” event held in 1988. The documents are related to St. Louis Cardinals NFL stadium proposal in 1987 and Mr. McNary’s political career. Mr. McNary proposed to Bill Bidwell to build a stadium in St. Louis County as Mr. Bidwell, the owner, was unhappy with Busch stadium, specifically the number of seats, in St. Louis city. The documents include personal, business, and financial documents for the stadium proposal, the lawsuit, and other political documents relating to Mr McNary’s career. The newspaper articles are from a variety of newspapers, including the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the St. Louis Globe Democrat. The articles cover Mr. McNary’s St. Louis County Supervisor campaign and election and the St. Louis Cardinals stadium proposal and lawsuit. There are also a limited number of articles that cover different aspects of Mr. McNary’s political career.

Arrangement note: The Gene McNary Collection is arranged into 5 series: 1) Documents; 2) Newspaper Articles; 3) Political Cartoons; 4) Images; 5) Objects Objects range from hats, trophies, posters, and a street sign. Documents are arranged to the folder level by date. Newspaper Articles are arranged to the folder level by date. Political Cartoons are arranged by artist and by date. Images are arranged to the folder level. Objects range from hats, trophies, posters, and a street sign.

Controlled Subject Headings

Geographic Name(s)

• Saint Louis (Mo.) 
• Saint Louis County (Mo.)

Personal Name(s)

• Ashcroft, John D., 1942 -
• Baer, Pat Hays
• Engelhardt, Tom, 1944 -
• McNary, Gene, 1935 -

Subject(s)

• Caricatures and cartoons -- United States -- 20th century
• Saint Louis County (Mo.) -- Politics and government
• St. Louis Cardinals (Football team)

Conditions Governing Access note: This collection is open for research.  

Conditions Governing Use note: Some of the material in this collection may be photocopied, digitally scanned or photographed, subject to condition and the judgment of Library staff. Library staff members reserve the right to deny reproduction services for any reason at any time.

Copyright Information: The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Fee Services: Fees associated with staff research time, cost recovery in reproductions processing time and materials, and licensing may apply.

Preferred Citation note: The preferred citation for this collection is "From the collections of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at UM - St. Louis."

Collection Inventory: