Early History of Flat River
The area around the old city of Flat River, Missouri (now part of Park Hills) settled as a result of a lead rush to the region in the late-19th century. In 1885 and 1886, miners discovered lead in the hills in nearby Doe Run, leading to the establishment of the Doe Run Lead Company in 1890. The company dug various shafts into the mines, the entrances of which eventually encouraged small settlements to grow. By 1891, six houses stood around the shaft entrance and two small stores soon followed. By the dawn of the 20th century, Flat River was one of several mining towns in the county; others included Desloge, Belle Terre, and Elvins.
Arrival of Jews into Flat River
Jews first arrived into Flat River during the second decade of the 20th century. The earliest migrants were mostly merchants who came into the region to open businesses that supported the Doe Run mines. These earliest Jewish included Jacob Goodman, Aaron Goodman, and I.W. Miller. Though the community began small, it grew quickly, achieving enough members by 1925 to build a temple of their own, Temple Beth-El. Over the next 30 years, about 25 to 30 families were members of the Beth-El congregation. Flat River's Jews mostly worked in grocery, dry goods, clothing, and finance industries that supported the local mining economy.
Temple Beth El
The first years of the Beth El congregation were spent in a number of different rental spaces around St. Francois County, primarily is Desloge. Finally, in 1925, the community purchased land in Flat River and constructed a permanent temple at the cost of $15,000 (equivalent to $269,000 in 2025). Located on West Main Street, local architect Paul Mitchell built the new temple. He designed it to serve a congregation of several hundred. The congregation broke ground in October 1925 and began holding services for the High Holidays the following year. The Temple had a Hebrew school, held Bar Mitzvahs, and celebrated major holidays. Visiting and student rabbis conducted high holy day services, and during the rest of the year, services were run by lay leadership.
Annual Beth El Sisterhood Dance
Perhaps the most notable part of Temple Beth El's history was the Sisterhood's annual dance. Taking place in the spring during its initial years, the Sisterhood dance quickly became a staple of the region's social calendar, occurring each year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Held at various reception venues around St. Francois County, the event featured dining and live music, bringing in popular local artists such as the Silver Kings and Chaw Mank. Tickets typically costed a dollar per couple and proceeds went to a number of charitable causes, particularly Jewish refugee aid during the 1930s and 1940s.