Cake 171- Lafayette Park

Found November 27, 2014

Lafayette Park was dedicated in 1851 as one of the first public parks in the city of St. Louis and by far the largest of its era, at 30 acres.  It is considered to be the oldest urban park west of the Mississippi.  The park is now home to a playground, walking path, many sculptures, baseball field, and a police sub-station, as well as a beautiful iron bridge.

https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/parks/parks/browse-parks/view-park.cfm?parkID=52&parkName=Lafayette

Cake 170- Lafayette Square Plaza

Found November 27, 2014

Lafayette Square is a neighborhood in Saint Louis that surrounds Lafayette Park, the oldest park in the city.  It is one of the oldest neighborhoods in St. Louis, and was very fashionable when it was constructed.  It saw a time of decline following a tornado in 1896 and further decline due to industrial encroachment and highway construction.  Since the 1970's have been buying and renovating the homes and as of 2006 has been mainly restored and is home to many small restaurants and shops.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lafayette_Square,_St._Louis

Cakes 168 and 169- Ameren

Found November 27, 2014

St. Louis-based Ameren is a Fortune 500 energy provider.  They employ of 8,500 personnel and serve 2.4 million electric customers and 900,000 gas customers across 64,000 square miles of Missouri and Illinois.  The company name comes from combining the words American and Energy.  Ameren was a generous sponsor of the Cakeway project, and for that reason was granted two cakes. The one on the left was originally inside only for employees to see, but during an event it was placed outside next to the public cake and has been left there for all to enjoy.

http://www.stl250.org/cake-ameren.aspx

Cake 167- Peabody Opera House

Found November 27, 2014

Peabody Opera house was constructed in 1934 in conjunction with Kiel Auditorium.  The opera house is now all that remains of that original complex.  The opera house features six to seven venues including the main theater (seats 3500), a two story front lobby, four small side theaters (seat 700 each) and an exposition hall. The first performance held in the hall was Aida in April of 1934, the same year that they welcomed their first tenants, the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra.  At the time of completion, the opera house was larger than New York's Carnegie Hall.  The Symphony called the Opera House home until 1968, when they moved to their current location at Powell Symphony Hall.  The Opera House closed May 7, 1991 but after two decades was reopened again on October 1, 2011.  

http://www.peabodyoperahouse.com/about-us/history

Cake 166- St. Louis City Hall

Found November 27, 2014

Due to unrest in Ferguson earlier in the week because of the Grand Jury announcement, City Hall was heavily surrounded by several National Guard vehicles, but the area was very quiet since it was Thanksgiving.  We were the only two people walking near at that time.  City Hall sits on a part of a 6 acre site that makes up Washington Square and was built in 1898. This was about the fourth City Hall building to be used since the original 1827 city hall.  

http://www.stl250.org/cake-stl-city-hall.aspx

Cake 165- Scottrade Center

Found November 27, 2014

The Scottrade Center opened October 8, 1994 as one of the finest sports and entertainment complexes in the country.  The Scottrade Center is home to Saint Louis Blues Hockey Club, which was one of the main reasons Scottrade Center was built.  Scottrade Center was built on the site of Kiel Auditorium.  This new center provided better facilities for the team, and also helped to replace the aging St. Louis Arena.  The Scottrade Center was known as the Kiel Center until Scottrade bought the naming rights in 2006.  The Scottrade Center now hosts about 175 events in a year, ranging from hockey, ice shows, family programs, and other athletic events, and brings about 2 million guests to the downtown area in a year.

http://www.scottradecenter.com/arena-info/about-us.html

Cake 164- Soldiers Memorial

Found November 27, 2014

Soldiers Memorial was built as a way to honor men and women from Missouri who fought in the first World War.  The Memorial and Museum opened Memorial Day, May 30, 1938.  The building holds two museums, which hold a collection of military-related objects of local and national significance. The memorial was gated off when we visited since it was Thanksgiving, but I could still get a picture of the cake within.

http://www.stlsoldiersmemorial.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=29

Cake 163- Christ Church Cathedral

Found November 27, 2014

Christ Church Cathedral was built between 1859 and 1867.  It is one of the first churches influenced by the rival of the Episcopal church.  It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1994. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_Church_Cathedral_%28St._Louis,_Missouri%29

Cake 162- St. Louis Public Library

Found November 27, 2014

The Central Library building was built in 1912.  St. Louis Public Library serves patrons from 17 libraries located within city limits. 

http://www.stl250.org/cake-stl-central-library.aspx

Cake 161- Campbell House Museum

Found November 27, 2014

Built in 1851, this house was the first in the elegant Lucas Place neighborhood.  Robert Campbell, renowned fur trader and entrepreneur, and his family lived in the house from 1854 to 1938.  Today the museum contains hundreds of original possessions and photographs.  

http://www.campbellhousemuseum.org/

Cake 160-Saint Louis Post- Dispatch

Found November 27, 2014

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is the major regional newspaper in St. Louis and serves the greater St. Louis area.  It is one of the largest newspaper publications in the Midwest.  It is read in many other major cities including Kansas City, Memphis, and Springfield,IL.   It is the only remaining daily printed newspaper in St. Louis. The paper began in 1878.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis_Post-Dispatch

Cake 159- Shrine of St. Joseph

Found November 27, 2014

The Shrine of St. Joseph is a Catholic church located downtown St. Louis near the Edward Jones dome.  We actually parked across the street in an empty lot when we went to the Packers/Rams game back in August.  Who knew at the time that we were so close to this cake?  The church began in 1843 when the Jesuits founded the church to serve a community of mainly German immigrants.  This church is also the site of the only authenticated miracle in the Midwest, which took place in 1864.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrine_of_St._Joseph

Cake 158- Le Grange de Terre Memorial

Found November 27, 2014

Le Grange de Terre, or "Big Mound" was the largest Mississippian Culture Indian platform mounds located on the west of the river.  Originally 27 mounds dotted the west side of the Mississippi.  Le Grange de Terre was dismantled in 1868, and the dirt and clay were used as backfill and bricks to help the build the expanding city. 

http://www.stl250.org/cake-legrange-bigmound.aspx

Cake 157- Ashley Street Powerhouse

Found November 27, 2014

 What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than to spend the afternoon cake hunting!

Ashley Street Power House was constructed in 1902.  It was the first large electrical power plant to be built by Union Electric Company, which would later become Ameren.  The building became a landmark in 1971 and is still in use today.  When it was built, the plant was able to provide all of St. Louis City with electrical power.  The Riverfront trailhead is also located here.

http://www.stl250.org/cake-ashley-street.aspx

Cake 156- Kiener Plaza

Found November 23, 2014

Kiener Plaza is part of the Gateway Mall, an effort to keep green space in the city of St. Louis.  The Gateway Mall stretches from the Arch Grounds to Union Station.  Kiener Plaza is named for Henry J. Kiener, a St. Louis native born February 27, 1881, and track star in the 1904 Olympics.

http://www.stl250.org/cake-kiener-plaza.aspx

Cake 155- Fort San Carlos (Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark)

Found November 23, 2014

It's hard to imagine that a Spanish Fort once stood at the current location of Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark, just a few blocks from Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village.  Fort San Carlos saw the only battle west of the Mississippi River during the American Revolution when the British led an unsuccessful attack on Saint Louis.  300+ St. Louisans both white and slaves came together to defend their city on May 26, 1780.  

http://www.stl250.org/cake-ftsan-carlos.aspx

Cake 154- Old Courthouse

Found November 23, 2014

The old St. Louis County Courthouse was built as a joint federal and state courthouse.  It was the tallest habitable building in Missouri from 1864 to 1894. It is now part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.  The famous Dred Scott case was heard in the west wing of the courthouse, making this a popular place for protests taking place with regards to Ferguson the past few months.  When St. Louis City and County separated in 1877, the courthouse became city property, but was abandoned when new buildings were built in 1930 and became part of the Memorial in 1940. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Courthouse_%28St._Louis%29

Cake 153- Drury Plaza at the Arch

Found November 23, 2014

Drury Hotels is a family owned and operated business founded in 1973.  They have 130 hotels in 20 states, 7 of which are historic renovations including Drury Plaza at the Arch.  The International Fur Exchange, Thomas Jefferson and American Zinc buildings make up this historic renovation.  Drury Hotels is headquartered in St. Louis.

http://www.stl250.org/cake-drury-plaza.aspx

Cake 152- Basilica of Saint Louis

Found November 23, 2014

The rain was really starting to come down when we got this one.  It took us a while to realize it was across the street and with people coming out of church, we didn't try to get across to get a close up picture, so this will have to suffice.

The Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France is also known as the Old Cathedral.  It is the oldest cathedral west of the Mississippi, constructed in 1834.  It is named at King Louis IX, also the namesake for the city.  This is the only building that was retained when the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial was built.

http://www.stl250.org/cake-old-cathedral.aspx

Cake 151-Gateway Arch

Found November 23, 2014

I'm not sure I've ever approach the Arch from the side before, but it was pretty neat.  Unfortunately we were coming from the north end in the rain and the cake was located all the way by the south leg.

The Gateway Arch has been a St. Louis icon since 1965 when construction on the 630 foot structure.  It is the centerpiece of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and has been opened to the public since 1967.  The Museum of Westward Expansion is located underground the Arch and is open for free.  You have to pay to take the tram up to the observation deck, but it is worth the small fee.  They are currently working to revitalize the Arch grounds.  I look forward to seeing how beautiful the grounds will become.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gateway_Arch

150- Eads Bridge

Found November 23, 2014

Eads Bridge is a combined road and railway bridge that connects St. Louis to East St. Louis across the Mississippi.  When it was constructed in 1874, it was the longest arch bridge in the world.  In June of 1874, a "test elephant" was sent across the bridge to prove that it was structurally sound.  On July 4, 1874, the bridge was opened for use and was celebrated with a 15 mile long parade. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eads_Bridge

Cake 149- Laclede's Landing

Found November 23, 2014

Laclede's Landing is the oldest district in Downtown St. Louis, and is named after Pierre Laclede who chose to land on this part of the river in 1764 to begin trade in what would become St. Louis.  Laclede's Landing is now a nine block area that offers the finest dining and entertainment along the river.  This cake is also unique in that it is the only one that is suspended above the sidewalk.

http://lacledeslanding.com/

Cake 148-Missouri Athletic Club

Found November 23, 2014

The Missouri Athletic Club was formed in 1903 when the city was on the verge of hosting the 1094 Worlds Fair and Olympics.  Several athletic club members participated in the 1904 Olympics.  The Missouri Athletic Club always keeps its eye on the future and expanded in 1995 when they purchased the former Town and Country Racquet Club in West County.  This new facility combined with the downtown facility offer the people of St. Louis a broad array of athletic, dining, and social opportunities.  

http://www.stl250.org/cake-mac.aspx

Cake 147- National Blues Museum

Found November 23, 2014

The cake outside the National Blues Museum is unique in that it is celebrating a location that has not opened its doors to the public yet.  The museum is scheduled to open in May of 2015. When open, visitors will be able to learn about various blues styles and musicians.  The museum will also have a performance area and a temporary exhibit area.

http://www.stl250.org/cake-national-blues-museum--mx-complex.aspx

Cake 146- Edward Jones Dome

Found November 23, 2014

I really wish I would have been paying closer attention when I first began discovering cakes.  If I had, I would have had a chance to get a picture of this cake from the inside when we went to the Packers/Rams game back in August.  At least this one was easier to see than the one inside America's Center.

The Edward Jones Dome was built back in 1995 mainly as a way to lure an NFL team back to St. Louis, which is ironic since now the Rams are considering leaving.  The dome can seat up to 70,000 people and I know from experience that even the "nose-bleed" seats have a pretty nice view. The stadium has also been used for many concerts, most recently hosting One Direction in August.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Jones_Dome

Cake 145- America's Center

Found November 23, 2014

It was hard to get a good view of this cake with it being inside a closed and rather dark building.  America's Center is a convention center located in downtown St. Louis.  It is located next to Edward Jones Dome, home of the St. Louis Rams.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America%27s_Center

Cake 144- Lammert Building

Found November 23, 2014

Built in 1898, the Lammert Building was originally leased to Hargadine and McKettrick Drygoods Company util 1923.  The building was then bought and renovated by Lammert Furniture Company.  The store closed in 1973, due to a decrease in sales but reopened a year later.  It was designated a city landmark in 1979 and renovated again in 1984.  

https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/planning/cultural-resources/city-landmarks/Lammert-Furniture-Building.cfm

Cake 143- Old Post Office

Found November 23, 2014

The Old Post Office in St. Louis is a beautiful piece of architecture.  Opening in 1884, the Post Office served as a main conduit for correspondence to the west.  In the 1960's the building faced demolition but a group of preservationists saved it.  The building was rrenovatedin the 1990's but the building remained mainly unoccupied until 1998.  At that point Webster University worked to help revitalize the area known as Post Office Square.  By 2006, the building was once again 100% leased.  The building houses several tenants including Webster University and St. Louis Public Library. 

 http://www.oldpostofficestl.com/redevelopment.php 

Cake 142- CityGarden

Found November 23, 2014

Citygarden is an urban park and sculpture park located in the heart of downtown St. Louis.   The park has been open since July 1, 2009, and takes up two city blocks (2.9 acres).  There is no admission fee and the park is open year round.  I can't wait to go back in less rainy weather to really explore the artwork around the park.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citygarden

Cake 141- Broadway Oyster Bar

Found November 23, 2014

The Broadway Oyster Bar reflects the feel of the French Quarter in New Orleans. The offer Cajun/Creole food and live music seven days a week.  I didn't peek inside, but it sure looked like a fun place to enjoy some delicious food.  The building itself dates back to 1843 and now includes an open air patio, that is enclosed during the winter months.  

http://www.broadwayoysterbar.com/about.html

Cake 140- Eugene Field House and Toy Museum

Found November 23, 2014

The American writer Eugene Field grew up in the house that now holds the St. Louis Toy Museum.  These row houses were scheduled for demolition in 1934, but children growing up during the Great Depression were able to raise the $2000 necessary to safe and preserve the home of Eugene Field.  It opened at a museum in December of 1936. It has been a National Historic Landmark since 2007.

http://www.eugenefieldhouse.org/page3/index.html

Cake 139- Soulard Market

November 23, 2014

Soulard Market began in 1779, as a flat prairie where farmers could come and sell their goods.  In 1795 Antoine Soulard gained 122 acre plot that included the market grounds.  However, when the United States made the Louisiana Purchase, his right to own the land was in jeopardy. In 1836, after a lengthy legal battle, his widow Julia Soulard received the deed to the land.  In 1841, she set aside two city blocks to be used for the farmer's market.  

 http://www.soulardmarket.com/soulard_market_002.htm

Cake 138- Historic Trinity Church

Found November 23, 2014

Historic Trinity Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.   They have been serving the greater St. Louis area since 1839.  C.F.W. Walther served as the churches second pastor, following his brother Otto Walther.  

http://trinitystlouis.com/

Cake 137- The Sweet Divine

Found November 23, 2014

The Sweet Divine is a cupcake/cake shop run by a husband and wife team.  Their business began in March 2011 when they bought their cupcake truck. Since then they have been featured on Food Network's Cupcake Wars twice and brought home a win during season 6.  I'm certainly going to have to go back and try a cupcake at some point. 

http://www.thesweetdivine.com/About_US.html

Cake 136- Soulard Restoration Group

Found November 23, 2014

Soulard Restoration Group was formed in 1972.  They work to preserve, protect, and enhance historically and architecturally significant buildings in the district. 

http://www.soulard.org/srg/#about-srg

Cake 135- Clementine's/ Soulard Art Gallery

Found November 23, 2014

Clementine's was the oldest LGBT bar in St. Louis, but it recently closed it's doors September 29, 2014, which came as a huge shock to many locals. Since it's closing, the cake was moved to Soulard Art Gallery, located in Soulard neighborhood.  Soulard neighborhood continues to maintain it's French heritage and still holds a large Mardi Gras celebration in the winter and Bastille Day in the summer.  

I loved the cute "pet parade" that was detailed on the cake.

http://www.stl250.org/cake-clementine.aspx

Cake 134-Anheuser-Busch Brewery

Found November 23, 2014

Anheuser-Busch Brewery opened in 1852 and includes three buildings listed as National Historic Landmarks.  Tourists can take a free tour of the brewery, and those of legal age can enjoy two free glasses of any Anheuser-Busch product during the tour.  Visitors can also see some of the famous Budweiser Clydsdales in their stables and exercise field. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anheuser-Busch_Brewery

Cake 133- Venice Cafe

Found November 23. 2014

The Venice Cafe cake certainly fit with all of the other eclectic art that fills the courtyard around this coffee house.  Today, after 25 years, they continue to provide live music and serve as a hub of the poetry scene.

http://www.stl250.org/cake-venice-cafe.aspx

Cake 132- Luvy Duvy's Cafe

Found November 23, 2014

Luvy Duvy's Cafe is located across the street from Benton Park in Saint Louis. The Benton Park neighborhood is the largest historic district in Saint Louis.  Luvy Duvy's Cafe was a public choice winner for the Cakeway project.  Visitors enjoy the home style food and dog friendly patio. For their complete menu click here.

http://www.stl250.org/cake-luvy-duvy.aspx

Cake 131- Babler State Park

Found November 2, 2014

Something great I've learned about Missouri is that entrance to their state parks is free!

Babler State Park is located in Wildwood, Missouri.  The park was created in memory of Dr. Edmund A. Babler, a well known physician in the area, whose funeral was one of the largest ever held in St. Louis.  His brothers gave 868 acres of land to the state of Missouri in his memory.  This park offers hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, as well as a campground and picnic areas.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babler_State_Park

Cake 130- Rockwoods Reservation

Found November 2, 2014

Rockwoods Reservation is a 1,843 acre state forest and wildlife conservation area in St. Louis County.  It is one of the oldest conservation areas in Missouri established in 1938.  Remnants of limestone and quarry operations can still be found in the park while hiking along its six trails. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockwoods_Reservation

Cake 129-Head's General Store/St. Albans

Found November 2, 2014

I must say I was not expecting the beautiful golf course, country club, and residential homes located here on our drive out.  It reminded me of Stars Hollow for all you Gilmore Girls fans out there. 

Germans settled on Tavern Creek in 1834 due to a clean source of water.  In 1837, the town of St. Albans was officially laid out.  The general store was constructed in 1893. The flood waters of 1993 nearly reached the store, but it was saved by 3,000 sandbags.

http://www.stl250.org/cake-head-general-store.aspx

Cake 128- United Hebrew Congregation

Found November 2, 2014

United Hebrew Congregation is a Reform Synagogue located in Chesterfield.  Established in 1841, this is the first synagogue to be built west of the Mississippi.  United Hebrew Congregation began as an Orthodox synagogue and made a slow change to reformed.  In the 1920's the Congregation was located on Skinker Boulevard, just west of Forest Park.  As the Jewish Population moved west, so did the church. In 1977, and educational building was built at the current location and a sanctuary was added in 1989. 

http://www.unitedhebrew.org/AboutUs/History.aspx

Cake 127- Bonhomme Old Stone Church

Found November 2, 2014

Bonhomme Presbyterian Church is the second oldest Presbyterian church west of the Mississippi River, and was established in 1816.  The congregation met in a log cabin until 1841 when limestone was quarried from a nearby farm to create this old building that provided a school on the first floor and worship area on the upper level.  The church was active until the outbreak of the Civil War, after which many members moved from the area.  In 1956, one of three existing members passed away, Annie Yokel, who donated a significant amount of money to buy the land where the church is currently located.

http://www.bonhomme.tv/who_we_are/past/index.php

Cake 126- Butterfly House

Found November 2, 2014

The Butterfly House is a not-for-profit organization established in 1995 to increase awareness about the natural habitat where butterflies live.  The Butterfly House opened its doors to the public September 18, 1998. In 2000, they dedicated their outdoor Butterfly Garden.  In July of 2001, the Butterfly House joined Missouri Botanical Gardens. The Butterfly House offers lectures, educational programs, and a chance to see butterflies in the natural habitat.

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/visit/family-of-attractions/butterfly-house/about-the-butterfly-house.aspx

Cake 125- Kemp Auto Museum

Found November 2, 2014

Kemp Auto Museum is home to historically significant and artistically inspired automobiles, as well as one of the world's finest collections of Mercedes Benz.  The exhibition began when Fred M. Kemp Sr. bought his first Mercedes Benz, and continued over a 30 year time span.  Kemp spent years acquiring a 40+ collection of rare and classic automobiles that he donated to the museum in 2004 after his death. 

http://kempautomuseum.org/the-museum.aspx

Cake 124-Spirit of St. Louis Airport

Found November 2, 2014

In 1958 and 1959, as Paul D. Haglin was delayed in take-off from Lambert Airport due to commercial flights being put through first, a vision was born.  Haglin hoped to create an airport to serve the needs of business and general aviation in the area.  In 1961, Haglin found land that would fit his vision for an airfield and surrounding industrial park.  The main facilities were completed in 1964 and opened with a tower on August 30, 1964. As the airport grew and improved over the years, St. Louis County chose to take over airport ownership on January 1, 1980. The airport also survived the flood of 1993, and now celebrates it's 50th anniversary this year.

http://spiritairport.com/spiritairport/history.jsp