Cake 214- East St. Louis Municipal Building

Found December 6, 2014

East Saint Louis was founded in 1797 by Captain James Piggott.  That same year, he began a ferry service across the Mississippi River to connect Illinoistown with Saint Louis.  East Saint Louis was named in All-America City in 1959, but driving around town today, you will realize the town has seen better days.  East Saint Louis is, however, known for the Gateway Geyser, which is the second tallest fountain in the world.

http://www.stl250.org/cake-east-st-louis.aspx

Cake 213- Katherine Dunham Museum

Found December 6, 2014

The Katherine Dunham Museum is located in East Saint Louis.  I have to say this was probably the roughest neighborhood that I have traveled through during my cake hunt.  The museum houses Miss Dunham's collection of symbolic and functional art, including more than 250 African and Caribbean art objects from over 50 countries.  The museum also contains mementos from Miss Dunham's career as a dancer, choreographer, writer, teacher, and dance company owner.

http://kdcah.org/museum/

Cake 212- Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center

Found December 6, 2014

The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center is located in East Saint Louis.  The foundation was created by Jackie Joyner-Kersee, winner of six Olympic medals.  Jackie was born and raised in East St. Louis and wanted to provide a safe recreational space for children that offered them high quality programs with caring adults to help them reach their dreams.  Jackie launched her foundation in Los Angeles in 1988, but moved the foundation to East Saint Louis when her neighborhood community center closed in 1995.  She grew the foundation and raised $12 million to build a new youth and sports facility that opened in 2000.

http://jjkfoundation.org/history.html

Cake 211- Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site

Found December 6, 2014

Cahokia Mounds is the remains of the most sophisticated prehistoric native civilization north of Mexico.  According to archaeological finds, Cahokia was inhabited from 700 A.D. to 1400 A.D.  The civilization reached its peak from 1050-1200 A.D., when the city covered six square miles and 10,000 to 20,000 people inhabited the area.  Over 120 mounds were built over time, and several of those were also enlarged.  The site is named for the Cahokia tribe, a subtribe of the Illinois tribe.  The Cahokia subtribe moved into the area in 1699.  The site has been a World Heritage Site since 1982.

http://cahokiamounds.org/learn/

Cake 210-World's Largest Catsup Bottle

Found December 6, 2014

The World's Largest Catsup Bottle is located just south of downtown Collinsville, IL.  The 170 ft. water tower was built in 1949 by the W.E. Caldwell Company for the G.S. Suppiger catsup bottling plant. In 1995, the landmark was saved from demolition and restored to its original appearance.  The bottle and surrounding property are currently for sale, so if anyone is looking for a tourist investment, check it out!

http://www.catsupbottle.com/

Cake 209- National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows

Found December 6, 2014

The title "Our Lady of the Snows" is one of the oldest devotions to Mary, referring to a marvelous snowfall in Rome 352 A.D.  Our Lady of the Snows was introduced to the Midwest in 1941 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.  As devotion to Our Lady of the Snows grew, the Oblates looked for an ideal place to build a national shrine.  In 1958, they purchased 80 acres of farmland that overlooked the Mississippi River valley.  The shrine is an example of modern architecture and devotional sites are place strategically throughout the acreage. 

http://snows.org/about-us/shrine-history/

Cake 208- Skyview Drive-In

Found December 6, 2014

The Skyview Drive-In opened for business July 8, 1949.  The drive-in suffered from two storms, one in 1953 and another in 1981.  Both times the screen was rebuilt, but following the 1981 storm, a second screen was added.  The Drive-In continues to show double features nightly, and the sound system has converted to broadcast so that drivers may tune-in to the show via their car radio.

http://www.skyview-drive-in.com/History.htm