Monday, December 22, 2014
Mission Accomplished!
Well folks, it's been a blast! I can't believe that I even managed to find 250 cakes in just a few short months. I never believed I would reach the goal of finding all of them. I'd hoped for 100 at best, but am shocked that I made it so much further! I've created many memories along this journey, and now have a list of sites that I would love to visit again in order to really explore the history of the area to the fullest. I have learned so much about St. Louis through this journey and also really know my way around. We traveled through all types of weather, but I enjoyed every moment of it, and feel blessed to live in a city that offers so many educational opportunities. What a joy it has been!
The Leftovers
We had three cakes that were originally placed that we were unable to find for various reasons. I will use this post to explain the historic significance of those locations and why we were sadly unable to view these cakes.
Cake 1: Busch Stadium
The Busch Stadium was removed from its location due to a lawsuit conflict with the artist. Busch Stadium opened April 10, 2006 with St. Louis Cardinal victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. The newly added Ballpark Village adds extra viewing space for games. To see what the cake looked like, click here.
http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/stl/history/ballparks.jsp
Cake 2: Original Imo's Pizza Location
This cake was removed from its location in late October for repairs and sadly didn't get replaced before my journey had to come to an end before Christmas vacation. Ed and Margie Imo opened their first pizza location at the corner of Shaw and Thurman Avenues in South St. Louis in 1964. It is said to be the first carry out and delivery pizza parlor west of the Mississippi River. In less than a year they opened a second store. By 1975, they had 20 stores and opened the business to franchising. They now have 92 locations with 80 of them in the St. Louis area. All six of the Imo children are involved in the business. To see a picture of the cake click here. To view an Imo's menu click here.
http://www.stl250.org/cake-imos-pizza.aspx
Cake 3: Fort Zumwalt Park
We did try to find this cake located in O'Fallon, Missouri, but were unable to get into the park to view it due to the city's Celebration of Lights display. We tried to ask if we could still view it but they said the park was only open for lights. The scenic city park is home to a War of 1812 fort site, the restored Darius Heald Home, and a beautiful lake. To see a picture of the cake click here.
http://www.ofallon.mo.us/parks&rec/fort-zumwalt-park
Cake 4:Mount Pleasant Estates
I clearly just missed this cake in all of my planning. As I finished sorting through my check list I realized that I somehow overlooked this cake. What a bummer! This cake was located in the town of Augusta, founded in 1836 as Mount Pleasant. It was renamed Augusta in 1855. In the 1870's the Missouri River changed course leaving the town without a boat landing. Rivival of the vineyards in the 1960's spurred tourist interest or the area and in 1980, Augusta was recognized as the first U.S. Wine District. To see a picture of the click the link below.
http://www.stl250.org/cake-mount-pleasant-winery.aspx
Cake 1: Busch Stadium
The Busch Stadium was removed from its location due to a lawsuit conflict with the artist. Busch Stadium opened April 10, 2006 with St. Louis Cardinal victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. The newly added Ballpark Village adds extra viewing space for games. To see what the cake looked like, click here.
http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/stl/history/ballparks.jsp
Cake 2: Original Imo's Pizza Location
This cake was removed from its location in late October for repairs and sadly didn't get replaced before my journey had to come to an end before Christmas vacation. Ed and Margie Imo opened their first pizza location at the corner of Shaw and Thurman Avenues in South St. Louis in 1964. It is said to be the first carry out and delivery pizza parlor west of the Mississippi River. In less than a year they opened a second store. By 1975, they had 20 stores and opened the business to franchising. They now have 92 locations with 80 of them in the St. Louis area. All six of the Imo children are involved in the business. To see a picture of the cake click here. To view an Imo's menu click here.
http://www.stl250.org/cake-imos-pizza.aspx
Cake 3: Fort Zumwalt Park
We did try to find this cake located in O'Fallon, Missouri, but were unable to get into the park to view it due to the city's Celebration of Lights display. We tried to ask if we could still view it but they said the park was only open for lights. The scenic city park is home to a War of 1812 fort site, the restored Darius Heald Home, and a beautiful lake. To see a picture of the cake click here.
http://www.ofallon.mo.us/parks&rec/fort-zumwalt-park
Cake 4:Mount Pleasant Estates
I clearly just missed this cake in all of my planning. As I finished sorting through my check list I realized that I somehow overlooked this cake. What a bummer! This cake was located in the town of Augusta, founded in 1836 as Mount Pleasant. It was renamed Augusta in 1855. In the 1870's the Missouri River changed course leaving the town without a boat landing. Rivival of the vineyards in the 1960's spurred tourist interest or the area and in 1980, Augusta was recognized as the first U.S. Wine District. To see a picture of the click the link below.
http://www.stl250.org/cake-mount-pleasant-winery.aspx
Cake 250- Wainwright Building
Found December 16, 2014
WE'VE MADE IT TO CAKE 250!
WE'VE MADE IT TO CAKE 250!
Louis Sullivan's Wainwright Building marked the beginning of modern skyscraper design. The structure was erected for Ellis Wainwright, a wealthy St. Louis brewer. The structure was built in 1892.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Cake 249- Warren County Courthouse
Found December 13, 2014
Warren County Courthouse was the cake site located furthest to the west. Warren County covers 438 square miles and is part of the Missouri Rhineland. The county was established in 1833 and was named for General Joseph Warren.
Cake 248- Historic Woods Fort
Found December 13, 2014
Located in the city of Troy, a spring at the intersection of Boone and Main is where the city began. Early settlers built homes, businesses, and a fortress during wartime near the spring. Construction on State Highway 47 has since stopped the flow of water to the spring. Two log cabin replicas now stand on the site where Historic Woods Fort was built during the war of 1812.
Cake 247- Ameristar Casino St. Charles/Highway 70
Found December 13, 2014
This cake marks the location of the Blanchette Memorial Bridge which opened in 1959. Construction on Interstate 70, which is often said to be the first interstate project started just west of the bridge location. The bridge is named after Louis Blanchette, the French fur trader who founded St. Charles. Ameristar Casino opened in 1994 and offers a casino, luxury hotel, spa, 7 eating venues, 12 bars, an entertainment venue, indoor/outdoor pool, and conference center.
Cake 246- Our Lady of the Rivers at Portage des Sioux
Found December 13, 2014
Our Lady of the Rivers gets its name from the three rivers that meet a few miles from the site, the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois. Portage des Sioux was named for the two mile canoe portage that crossed through the future town site when the Sioux Indians would canoe between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The portage site save them an extra 25 miles of canoe travel along the rivers. In 1799, French settlers named the path Portage des Sioux, and a town developed along the path. The shrine itself has been built in memory of the flood of 1951. A group of townspeople gathered to pray for the safety of their town should the levee break in St. Charles. When the dam did break, the town was still miraculously spared when the water broke into two arms just before reaching the town. On October 13, 1957, the 3000 pound, 25 foot tall statue of Mary was erected along a causeway by the riverfront.
Cake 245- National Great Rivers Museum
Found December 13, 2014
The National Great Rivers Museum opened in 2003, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The museum is located next to the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, which can be toured for free daily. The museum exhibits tell the story of the Mississippi River, and also explain how locks and dams work, as well as ecosystem life in and along the river.
Cake 244-Robert Wadlow Statue
Found December 13, 2014
Robert Wadlow was a pituitary giant, born in Alton, IL in 1918. At the time of his death in 1940, he was 8 feet, 11.1 inches tall, making him the world's tallest person in history. Robert led a relatively normal life and planned to become an attorney, but found college life difficult due to his size. He quit after a year and joined the Ringling Brothers Circus at the age of 19. At age 20 he began a goodwill ambassador for the International Shoe Company. He died in 1940, due to an infected blister.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Cake 243- Southwestern High School
Found December 13, 2014
Southwestern High School was chosen as the place to host the cake for Macoupin County, which was name for Macoupin Creek. The county was formed in 1829. Southwestern High School is located just outside of Piasa, and it's mascot is the Piasa Bird.
Cake 242- Jersey County Courthouse
Found December 13, 2014
Jersey County is bordered by three bodies of water: The Mississippi and Illinois Rivers and Macoupin Creek. The Kickapoo, Menomini, Patowatomi, and Illiniwek Indian tribes lived in the area. The county is named for the state of New Jersey, which is where many settlers emigrated from. The courthouse, which is still in use today was built in 1893.
Cake 241-Calhoun County Community Foundation
Found December 13, 2014
Calhoun County is a 37 mile long peninsula, bordered by the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. In 1673, Marquette and Joliet traveled along the Illinois river and spent a night in Calhoun County. Calhoun County was formed in 1825. In 1847, Hardin became the county seat. The courthouse was completed in 1848, and is still in use today as one of the oldest on record. By 1875, Calhoun Country was covered in orchards, and today produces 1/3 of Illinois' peach crop. Steamboats were the main source of travel until the 1920's. As the need for cars and trucks arose, the Joe Page Bridge was built in 1931 and is said to be the longest lift span bridge of its type in the world at 308 feet, 9 inches long.
Cake 240- Pere Marquette Lodge and Conference Center
Found December 13, 2014
Pere Marquette Lodge is located in Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton, IL. The park history centers around the Illinois River. Many Indian tribes once lived where the lodge is now located. During Pere Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet's return journey along the Mississippi, they turned into the Illinois River, stopping near what is now Pere Marquette State Park. The land for Pere Marquette Park was purchased in 1931, and the lodge was constructed 1933-39 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It opened to the public in 1940.
Cake 239- Aerie's Riverview Winery
Found December 13, 2014
It was quite the uphill journey to reach this cake at the beautiful and scenic Aerie's Riverview Winery. Aerie's claims to have the best view in the Midwest, and there's no doubt when you reach the top of the bluff that the view is worth the trip up. Aerie's not only offers the winery to visit, but also an enclosed dining room, covered beer garden, lodging, and zipline.
Cake 238-Piasa Bird
Found December 13, 2014
The Piasa Bird is a local legend in the Alton area. Father Jacques Marquette recorded details about the bird during his river travel in 1673. He saw the Piasa painted high on the bluffs where Alton now stands. The Piaso was described as a birdlike monster, which is what its name means in the language of the Illini Indians. For more details about the Piasa legend, see the link below.
Cake 237- Alton Visitors Center
Found December 13, 2014
Alton Visitors Center is located across the street from Lincoln-Douglas Square along the river. During certain hours, you can even meet and greet with a bald eagle at the visitor center!
Cake 236- Lincoln-Douglas Square
Found December 13, 2014
Lincoln-Douglas Square, located in downtown Alton, IL, is the site of the 7th Congressional Debate of 1858 between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in a campaign for one of two Illinois United States Senate seats. Between August and October of 1858, seven three hour long debates were held throughout the state. One for each congressional district. At the time of the debates, Lincoln was an unknown politician. The seventh and last debate was held in Alton on October 15. About 5,000 people gathered for the debate, as Lincoln's stance on slavery had put him into the political limelight. Although he lost the Senate race to Douglas in 1858, he defeated him in the run for presidency two years later in 1860.
http://www.greatriverroad.com/cities/alton/lincoln.htm
Lincoln-Douglas Square, located in downtown Alton, IL, is the site of the 7th Congressional Debate of 1858 between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in a campaign for one of two Illinois United States Senate seats. Between August and October of 1858, seven three hour long debates were held throughout the state. One for each congressional district. At the time of the debates, Lincoln was an unknown politician. The seventh and last debate was held in Alton on October 15. About 5,000 people gathered for the debate, as Lincoln's stance on slavery had put him into the political limelight. Although he lost the Senate race to Douglas in 1858, he defeated him in the run for presidency two years later in 1860.
http://www.greatriverroad.com/cities/alton/lincoln.htm
Cake 235- Alton City Hall
Found December 13, 2014
We now journey to some Illinois cakes once again. Alton, IL is a beautiful riverfront town, rich in history and legend. The town was home to various industries throughout the years and was also a hub in the underground railroad. City Hall sits a top a hill in town, and has a beautiful view of the bridge we crossed from the parking lot.
Cake 234- West Alton Memorial Park
Found December 13, 2014
West Alton, MO is located in east St. Charles County between the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. The park is home to the Veteran's Memorial and Memorial bricks. The artwork on the cake remembers various natural disasters that have affected the area, including the earthquakes of 1811 and 1812, the tornado of 2011, and the flood of 1993.
Cake 233- Fort Belle Fontaine
Found December 13, 2014
Fort Belle Fontaine was the first military installation west of the Mississippi River, established in 1805. Lewis and Clark spent their last night of their expedition at the fort in 1806. Fort Belle Fontaine was an important gathering place until it was replaced by Jefferson Barracks in 1826. The park now takes up 305 acres along the Missouri River, and also contains many stonework features built by the Works Progress Administration during the 1930's when the city owned the property.
This was one of Andrew's favorite parks to explore on our cake hunt journey.
Cake 232- Columbia Bottoms
Found December 13, 2014
This cake was the last cake to be placed in the Cakeway project. Columbia Bottom Conservation Area consists of 4256 acres of mainly wetland. It is located on the southern edge of the Missouri River at its confluence with the Mississippi.
Cake 231- Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
Found December 13, 2014
Those who know me well, know that I am fascinated with Route 66, so this cake was one of my favorites to find. Old Chain of Rocks Bridge began construction in 1927 from both sides (Saint Louis, MO and Madison, IL) and opened to the public in July of 1929. The bridge is a mile long and has a 30 degree curve in the middle, a curve made necessary by boatmen trying to navigate this rocky section of the Mississippi. The bridge became part of Route 66 in 1936, when the highway was rerouted. In 1967, New Chain of Rocks Bridge, part of Interstate 270, opened just 2000 feet north of the old bridge, causing the old bridge to close in 1968. There was talk of demolishing the bridge in the 1970's, but a plummet in the value of scrap steel saved the bridge from destruction. During the 1980's a group called Trailnet began to clean up and restore the bridge. The bridge reopened to the public as part of the Route 66 Bikeway in 1999 and is now connected to more than 300 miles of trails on both sides of the river.
Cake 230-General Daniel Bissell House
Found December 13, 2014
The General Daniel Bissell House was built between 1812 and 1820. General Bissell was appointed military commander of the Upper Louisiana Territory in 1809 and took up post at Fort Belle Fontaine. This was the first military post west of the Mississippi River. Bissell helped to relocate the fort to higher ground in 1811. Following the war of 1812, Bissell returned to the St. Louis area after fighting in Canada, and began to construct the house. He retired there in 1821, and his family remained there for 150 years. In the 1960's, the house was donated to St. Louis County.
Cake 229- Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing
Found December 13, 2014
This one took awhile since we didn't know which direction to look on the trail. Turns out you have to walk south from the parking area.
This one took awhile since we didn't know which direction to look on the trail. Turns out you have to walk south from the parking area.
Located along the Saint Louis Riverfront Trail, Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing marks the spot where a small group of runaway slaves and their guides crossed the Mississippi in an attempt to reach a freedom route through Illinois on May 21, 1855. The area is marked with a sign and colorful mural today.
Cake 228-City Museum
Found December 13, 2014
The City Museum opened in 1997, and I remember it being a highlight of our family trip to St. Louis in 2000. Since then, they have opened a rooftop exhibit/playground, so I would love to plan another visit in the near future. The City Museum consists of re-purposed architectural and industrial objects, many which are included in exhibits that encourage guests to touch and climb on. The museum is housed in the former International Shoe Building in downtown Saint Louis.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Cake 227- Grants Trail
Found December 7, 2014
Grant's Trail is an 8 mile long bike trail stretching through south and southwest St. Louis County. The popular Grant's Farm is located between mile 5 and 6. As a former railroad right away, the trail is flat and perfect for biking, running, walking, or cross country skiing. The cake is located about halfway through the trail at mile 4 in Clydesdale Park.
Cake 226- Gateway Harley-Davidson
Found December 7, 2014
As a Wisconsin girl coming from the home of Harley-Davidson, I was rather curious as to why Gateway Harley-Davidson was significant enough to St. Louis to receive one of the 250 cakes. I can't say that I'm still sure, but here is some info that I found. Gateway Harley-Davidson is the place to buy a motorcycle in St. Louis. The store is located in South County.
Cake 225- Mississippi River Greenway-Trailhead
Found December 7, 2014
Great Rivers Greenway, St. Louis County Parks, and St. Louis Economic Council paired to build a trail that begins at the Confluence of River Des Peres and the Mississippi and continuing along the Mississippi into Jefferson Barracks County Park. The trailhead is located next to the Old Ordinance Room Museum in Jefferson Barracks Park.
Cake 224- Jefferson Barracks Historic Site
Found December 7, 2014
Jefferson Barracks Park is approximately 425 acres, just a small portion of the military installation established in 1826, and served as a major United States military installation until it was deactivated in June 1946. Jefferson Barracks served as a gathering point for troops and supplies during the Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish-American War, Phillipine War, and WWI and II. Jefferson Barracks also served as the first as the first Army Air Corps basic training site. In 1950, the federal government ceded the northern 420 acres with its oldest surviving buildings to St. Louis County for use as a park. In 1971, the adjacent military base was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today the park offers a mix of history, recreational facilities, and natural features.
Cake 223- Missouri Civil War Museum
Found December 7, 2014
In 1905, the home of the Missouri Civil War Museum was built as Jefferson Barracks Post Exchange and Gymnasium building. It was used as a recreational facility for 13 years until it was used as troop barracks in WWI. During WWII, the building was once again used as a recreational facility until 1942, when it became an overflow ward for the nearby Jefferson Barracks Hospital. In 1946, the building became vacant and abandoned for the next 60 years. In 2002, the Missouri Civil War Museum was formed a a decade long restoration began. The museum opened its doors to the public in June of 2013 and is listed in the Top 3 Museums to Visit in St. Louis by TripAdvisor.
Cake 222-Monroe County Welcome Center
Found December 7, 2014
Monroe County Welcome Center is located in Columbia, IL, the largest city in Monroe County. Columbia was incorporated in 1859, became a village in 1903, and a city in 1929. When the World's Fair came to St. Louis in 1904, Columbia set record attendance for members of one community attending the fair at the same time. All businesses and schools closed on September 22, and 1000 of the communities 1300 attended the fair together. Columbia has preserved three one-room schools, one of which, Shoemaker School, serves as the Monroe County Welcome Center.
Cake 221- Monroe County Courthouse
Found December 7, 2014
Monroe Country Courthouse is located in Waterloo, IL. The county seat is located in Waterloo, while the largest city in the county is Columbia. Its western border is part of the American Bottom Floodplain, while the eastern is flat and was originally prairie. The transition zone is filled with limestone bluffs and was beautiful to drive through. The county was named for James Monroe, who had just served as United States Secretary of War, and was elected as president later that year.
Cake 220- Mastodon State Historic Site
Found December 7, 2014
Mastodon State Historic Site, home of the Kimmswick Bone Bed, is located in Imperial, Missouri. The Kimmswick Bone Bed is one of the most extensive Pleistocene ice age deposits of fossils, including a number of bones from giant mastodons. Today visitors can hike along a number of interpretive trails and visit a museum that tells the story of the Clovis culture.
Cake 219-Blue Owl
Found December 7, 2014
Located in historic Kimmswick, Missouri, Blue Owl began as "From the Kitchen of Mary" in August of 1983, baking pastries, candies, cookies, cakes, cheesecakes, and pies to be sold at craft shows, festivals, and fairs in the St. Louis area. By December of 1984, Mary received more orders for Christmas cookies than she could possibly fulfill. By June of 1985, Mary chose to combine her successful home baking business with the local tearoom, Blue Owl. Since that time, Blue Owl serves over 300 customers a day, and has grown from a staff of 5 to 75. Even the flood of '93 could not stop the Blue Owl. Although they had to evacuate, the valiant effort of sandbagging saved the restaurant and bakery from damage. Next year, Blue Owl will celebrate 30 years of business!
Cake 218- Church of the Holy Family
Found December 6, 2014
Holy Family is the oldest Catholic Parish in the United States. The church was founded in 1699 by Canadian missionaries. The log church located behind the cake was built in 1799 and is the oldest church west of the Alleghany Mountains. The Log Church is only one of five built in this French Colonial style that still exist in North America.
Cake 217- Old Cahokia Court House
Found December 6, 2014
Old Cahokia Court House was built as a dwelling in the 1730's as a French log cabin. The building became a courthouse in 1793, and served as the center of political activity of the Old Northwest Territory for 20 years. Lewis and Clark used the Old Cahokia Court House as a headquarters for collecting information while camping at nearby Camp River DuBois from December of 1803 and the spring of 1804. The building was dismantled in 1901, re-erected twice, and reconstructed on the original site in 1939.
Cake 216- Lincoln Park
Found December 6, 2014
This park proves to be difficult to find any information for, however I did discover that the city would love to raise $3.5 million to build a new city pool after the previous pool was forced to close. The city has received a $2.5 million grant, but still needs to raise another million in order to demolish the old pool and build a new aquatic center and parking lot. The cake was located in front of an odd circular building, in which I'm guessing was the inspiration for the "Space Oddity" Cake.
For more info about the swimming pool renovations click below.
Cake 215- Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park
Found December 6, 2014
Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park is home to the Gateway Geyser, a fountain built to complement the Gateway Arch across the river. The Geyser began operation in May of 1995. The Geyser erupts three times daily (from April 15-October 15, weather/wind permitting.) When the wind is 4 mph or less, the geyser will reach a height of 630ft, to match the height of the Gateway Arch across the river. I would love to come back sometime next year when the Geyser is functioning. Each blast from the Geyser last approximately 10 minutes. Four smaller fountains the erupt 100 ft into the air surround the Gateway Geyser and symbolize the Mississippi, Missouri, Meramec, and Illinois Rivers.
In June 2005, the park itself was dedicated Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park in honor of the man who made the project possible. The park was opened to the public in the spring of 2009. The park also contains the Mississippi River Overlook, which stands 40 ft tall and offers a fantastic view of the St. Louis skyline.
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