It began as a vision of modern living, but within years Pruitt-Igoe was drowning in crime, neglect, and fear. By the 1970s, its demolition became a symbol of broken promises and urban decay.

Built to lift families out of poverty, Pruitt-Igoe collapsed under the weight of neglect, segregation, and broken promises. Its implosion wasn’t just physical—it marked the death of America’s postwar ...