On Oct. 7, 1918, Dr. Max C. Starkloff, Health Commissioner for St. Louis, assembled city officials, the U.S. Public Health Service, and other community officials to discuss how to battle the influenza epidemic. Starkloff was given legal authority to make public health decisions.

They also agreed to a sweeping closure order. Starting on October 8, St. Louis’s theaters, movie houses, pool halls and other public amusement venues would be closed, and all public gatherings banned. Schools would close on October 9, giving them one day to inform and prepare students. Starkloff closed churches after holding a separate meeting with Mayor Kiel.