#161: Katherine Dunham Museum

I stopped by here on the Fourth of July, as I was headed to Fair St. Louis. Regretfully I didn't go in (hey, it was closed that day!). However, I do hope to make it back sometime soon. The place is not hard to find if you get off the Memorial Ave. exit off of I-55/70 as there are signs that point how to get here.

In college (at SIUE), I was a History minor. I took a couple black history in America courses, and in one of them we talked a lot about Katherine Dunham. Dunham, by the way, is the namesake of SIUE's Dunham Hall, which hosts the music, theatre and communications departments. In my opinion, history hasn't been that kind as she has gone underlooked. Dunham should be known for the way she revolutionized the dance culture, and how she went out of her way and opened doors for several people. Ever heard of Eartha Kitt and Alvin Ailey? Without Dunham, they probably would not have gained notice in the entertainment world.

For the record, Dunham was not really from East St. Louis, or from the St. Louis area. In fact, she didn't come here until her 50s! She was originally from the Chicago area, but she did move around. She did open up the Katherine Dunham School of Dance in New York City and operated it for several years. While in East St. Louis, she collaborated with people from numerous professions to create a liberal arts program at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (or SIUE).

What? There's bars on the door?

An episode of KETC Channel 9's 'Living St. Louis' devoted to Katherine Dunham

Katherine Dunham Wikipedia link
Official website

1005 Pennsylvania Ave., EAST ST. LOUIS, IL, 62201
Cake artist: Dail Chambers

UPDATE (8/24/2016): The cake is still there.

#100: East St. Louis Municipal Building

This is where, obviously, all the city officials meet and work in the heart of East St. Louis. The city of East St. Louis has five cakes, all in notable locations. Since this cake location is about the main government building, I thought I would tell a little history about the community/city and its struggles. First, East St. Louis was founded in 1797 by Captain James Piggott, who was a Revolutionary War vetaran. At that time, it was called 'Illinoistown'. Piggott operated a ferry business that transported things from East St. Louis to the Illinois Territory. This was the beginning of its long history in manufacturing and industries.

Despite of the city's long, rich history, East St. Louis has taken an unfortunate hit nation-wide as it has remained over the years on several Top 10 lists (sometimes No. 1) as the nation's 'most dangerous city'. In 2007, the Federal Bureau of Investigation listed East St. Louis as No. 1 because of its high rates in crime (rape, homicide, burglary, etc.). It has also been recognized as a 'hellhole' recently on Saturday Night Live, in which Mayor Alvin Parks continuously denies. East St. Louis High School is the only high school that I've ever seen that has a sign that reads, 'No Weapons, No Drugs Allowed'. One would wonder after driving through parts of the city and seeing its scars that if East St. Louis could ever be revived and saved. There are numerous theories and several blaming factors that have led to its current state, but for me to write about it would have to be in book-form.

All the negative aside, the city does have some gems and marvels. Take the most recent: the Gateway Geyser, located at the Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park. It is located within a walking distance from the city's big economic jewel, Casino Queen. East St. Louis also does not forget its famous past residents, including Katherine Dunham, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Miles Davis and Dawn Harper. There are several efforts that have been going on in the last 20 years to revive suburban housing, mostly put on by volunteers. In the summer of 1998, I helped with my church youth group to repair roofs and put up drywall in a couple houses.

Reserved for the mighty mayor of East St. Louis

Cake artist Katherine Nelson, who has decorated many cakes for the STL250 project, decided to a theme based on ladybugs for this particular cake. In short, she wanted it to 'celebrate the joy of discovering a ladybug!'. Ladybugs are one of the smallest creatures found in the St. Louis area, especially in the Missouri Botanical Gardens. According to this cake's stl250 page, Katherine used a lot of black paint and contrast on it.

Front and right side of the cake

Left side of the cake

East St. Louis, Illinois Wikipedia link
City of East St. Louis' Official website

301 River Park Drive, EAST ST. LOUIS, IL, 62201
Cake artist: Katherine Nelson

#99: Lincoln Park

One of the most popular parks in the Metro East area is East St. Louis' Lincoln Park. It is a place where kids ranging from 7 to 17 usually play on the weekends with their families and some after-school programs are hosted here. Many reunions and get-togethers by the East St. Louis residents occur here as well. Even popular radio stations like Majic 100.3 and its sister station Hallelujah 1600 have hosted live remotes here. It is also home to the indoor Mary E. Brown Community Center, also a popular public gathering place. Pretty simple, right? Well, the park does have its share of struggles.

Lincoln Park playground

Mary E. Brown Community Center and the cake

Today, one of the main issues is the park's pool. The pool opened in 1957, and at the time it was the city's main getaway. It was basically a fun and happy place to be. But through the years the same pool has suffered wear and tear and unfortunately, as of 2012, the city has no plans to repair the pool. Many public swimming pools around the area have suffered as well, as private facilities such as water parks and clubs have been on the rise for years.

Front and right side of the cake

Back side of the cake

Right side of the cake

Source: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/illinois/swimming-pools-only-a-memory-in-east-st-louis-other/article_85a25092-818b-53c6-904b-14ef51027927.html

There are no links about websites in connection to Lincoln Park at this time.

606 South 15th Street, EAST ST. LOUIS, IL, 62207
Cake artist: Erik Thompson  (He also decorated the Castlewood State Park cake)

#87: Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park

If I were to choose the cake with the best view, this would take the cake! Pun intended, by the way. When I shared this photo on Facebook a lot of people considered mine the best angle and correctly in the middle of the Gateway Arch. A lot of people, including myself, were not aware who Malcolm W. Martin was. Let me fill you in....

About Malcolm W. Martin:

• Born in St. Louis in 1912.
• Served in World War II.
• After doing his duty in the war, he got involved in civil rights cases and with the city of St. Louis.
• He was one of the founders of KETC Channel 9, and the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis. 
• Served on many notable boards in St. Louis as well as the country, including Council on Foreign Relations.
• His mission was to expand the Jefferson Memorial Expansion Park to the 'east side', purchasing 30 acres of land (where the park is now).

The MWM Memorial Park:

• Ground was broken on September 16, 2006, and opened in 2008
• The platform is 40 feet high above ground.
• Serves as a way of viewing the Mississippi River, the Gateway Geyser and the St. Louis skyline in the best kind of way.
• The statue of Malcolm W. Martin himself, sits atop the platform as a way for him to gaze at the views, which he always dreamed of would happen. He died before the park (mostly the platform) was completed, in 2004 (age 91).
• You can view a live video feed of the top of the ramp as well as the St. Louis skyline here from the park's official website!

The Gateway Geyser:

• It is the tallest fountain in the Americas (at 630 ft)
• It is the second tallest fountain in the world, after King Fahd's Fountain in Saudi Arabia (that one is 853 ft tall!).
• From April 15 to October 15 of each year, the fountain is in operation (with weather as an exception at times)
• Considered a counterpart to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, which, if viewed in the right angle, can be seen cutting halfway between the Arch!
• Goes off at scheduled times of the day, at noon, 3pm and 6pm
• Three 800 horsepower pumps the fountain, with 8,000 gallons of water erupting a minute!
• The fountain, inspired by Martin's likeness of a similar fountain in Geneva, Switzerland, was completed in 1995.

A view of the Gateway Geyser in East St. Louis

A closer view of the Gateway Geyser from the Casino Queen parking lot (7/4/2014). This was shortly after 5pm.

Official website
Gateway Geyser Wikipedia link
Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park on FB

185 W. Trendley Ave., EAST ST. LOUIS, IL, 62201
Cake artist: Theresa Hopkins

#61: Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center

It makes perfect sense to have one of the most popular female athletes in the last 30 years have something named after her. Jackie Joyner-Kersee was born in East St. Louis in 1962. She won six Olympic medals.

Facts about the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center:

• Opened in 2000.
• $12 million was raised for the building, including donations from Anheuser-Busch and Monsanto
• Unfortunately due to mismanagement and money matters, the JJK Center was closed for a short time from 2010 to 2012, as it is back in operation.
• Joyner-Kersee herself is on the board, serving as President.
• Building contains indoor basketball courts, computer rooms and a cafeteria. Also there are football, softball and baseball fields that are spread across 37 acres.

An episode of KETC Channel 9's 'Living St. Louis' devoted to Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Source: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/joyner-kersee-isn-t-giving-up-on-center-bearing-her/article_249ce674-4601-5eff-9ba3-0696c405f1a2.html

101 Jackie Joyner-Kersee Circle, EAST ST. LOUIS, IL, 62204
Cake artist: Linda Thompson