Fred Harvey and The Harvey Girls

    Fred Harvey is considered to be the first businessman to open a chain of restaurants, from Kansas to the Pacific Coast.
    With his vast experience, he was hired in 1894 to operate all the restaurants and stores inside the grand, and newly-built, St. Louis Union Station.
    Not only was he known for high quality food, his service was legendary, thanks to the training of his Harvey Girls. They were an elite group of single, young women chosen to make sure train passengers would be served their meal quickly and efficiently to get back on board.
    Mary Spiller of Affton, MO is one of a handful of Harvey Girls still alive and made a nostalgic visit during the station’s 125th anniversary.