#242: St. Charles County Heritage Museum at Heritage Park

I made a brief return to St. Charles, or in this case, St. Peters. Close enough. When I did my St. Charles cake hunt, I was on a time schedule, and this was to be my last cake. I had the map and address with me, but no gps or anything. This place was hard to find at the time. I did ask fellow cake-hunters and they were able to provide me with tips.

The factoids about this museum:

• It is housed in the old McCormack Oil Company building, which was a gas station from 1928 to 1990.
• Museum opened in 2001, but moved to its present location in 2010 from East Main Street.
• Holds more than 10,000 photos and more than 15,000 artifacts in their collection
• Like most museums, has exhibits (permanent and temporary) and a gift shop.
• It goes without saying, everything that is to be known at St. Charles is here. The museum has collected stuff from government buildings and past and present residents of St. Charles County.

The cake, which focuses a lot on St. Charles County, including Our Lady at the Rivers:

Left side of the cake

Back side of the cake

Right side of the cake

Top of the cake, which focuses on the water borders of St. Charles County

Official website

1630 Heritage Landing, ST. PETERS, MO, 63303
Cake artist: Gina Harmon

#202: Washington Historical Society

The second stop on my 'Missouri River'-side tour happened to be just on the other side of my intended destination. Only reason I stopped was because it was only a few miles out of the way from MO Hwy. 94.

Northbound MO Hwy. 47 about to cross the Missouri River

Washington, Missouri is a Missouri River town. And believe me, they'll let you know! They also have the distinction of being the 'corncob pipe capital of the world'. Sounds crazy, right? A lot of things in Missouri (especially in St. Louis) are named after Thomas Jefferson, the country's third President. Washington is, of course, named after our First Prez.

A George Washington bust that sits outside the county's courthouse

It was first settled under Spanish control, but then Americans took control of it eventually. In 1799, Daniel Boone and his followers settled there. The town is very rich in history of its development, as well as its production and economy. It was at one time, a center for railroad and transportation industry. Washington has an amazing 445 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also the hometown of prominent soap actor Jack Wagner, who has had a long career in that television genre. Wagner also scored a hit single, 'All I Need', which hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985.

The sign

Inside part of the museum. Gotta love the honesty: 'The river is why we're here'

The cake looks like it focuses on grapes, which lead to wine! Washington sits on the other side of Missouri wine country. For more details, see cake #203.

Left side of the cake

Right side of the cake

As always the case, I randomly strolled into the museum. And boy, I'm glad I did! I learned a lot more than I did before I went in. I didn't know Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower campaigned for President in Washington. It has a lot of great artifacts, plus plenty of history lessons spanning from different time periods. The Washington Historical Society was established in 1859. It houses the Four Rivers Genealogical Society.

Washington Historical Society on FB
Official website

113 East 4th St., WASHINGTON, MO, 63090
Cake artist: Gina Harmon

#109: Grand Avenue Water Tower

In the way northern part of the city lies the oldest water tower standing in St. Louis. The Grand Avenue water tower was built by architect George Barnett in 1871. It had quite a short life as it was used for fighting fires and providing water supply. There was a 5 feet standpipe as well as spiral staircase inside the tower; those have both been removed. In 1912, the tower was decommissioned. After that time, the tower was used by putting beacons on top of the tower as navigational aids for Lambert airport. Legend has it that Charles Lindbergh found the tower very useful as he was trying to land in foggy weather. The tower has been saved numerous times from demolition. It wasn't until 1998 that the tower was lit with floodlights and restored.

Also called the 'Old White' Water Tower. This is only one of seven historic standpipe water towers left in the United States. Three of them are in St. Louis: Grand Avenue, Bissell and the Compton Hill.

And now, the tower...

Top of the cake

Right side of the cake

Back side of the cake

Left side of the cake

Close look at the bottom of the tower

Advice for getting the cake: this one was quite a challenge as well as a safety issue. Around the water tower is a turnabout and it is hard to tell where cars are going to turn. I strongly suggest using caution when getting this cake. The cake is right on the road in front of a fence, so...hope for careful drivers! I parked at Dollar General, which wasn't far.

Wikipedia link


2001 East Grand, ST. LOUIS, MO, 63107
Cake artist: Gina Harmon

#63: Broadway Oyster Bar

*PUBLIC VOTE WINNER*

• Known to be one of the most popular (if not THE most popular) Cajun-Creole restaurants in St. Louis. One notable food that is not known to be sold at many places is the fried alligator.
• It is housed in one of the oldest buildings still standing in St. Louis, built in 1843.
• Live music is featured here every night. 
• B.O.B.'s mission is to celebrate the New Orleans style and traditions. 
• Opened in 1979.
• Restaurant includes an open-air patio
• According to Sauce magazine (July 2014), the restaurant will be expanded with more seating capacity and new kitchens, as well as an oyster-shucking station that guests can view

A lot was done to the cake that made it represent BOB. Its artist, Mary Harmon: "I spent the day with the owners of the Oyster Bar. We took many pictures and then they decided what has special meaning to them. The swirls actually are about an artist in New Orleans who paints in swirls and he is a friend of theirs. The lights at the top can be found in the Oyster Bar requested by John the owner. Of course the music figures and all the signs can be found inside. The cracked 250 stands for all the mirror glass that can be found on the walls. And last but not least their logo. The Oyster Bar is a fabulous place to dine and listen to great music. Tell them Gina sent you...........ha I also painted the base of bricks. This cake took over 3 weeks to paint and it was a JOY!!!!!!".

Thought I'd show a little downward shot of the nice decor in and outside of the cake

Top of the cake, which highlights BOB's 35th anniversary

Broadway Oyster Bar on FB
Official website

736 S. Broadway, ST. LOUIS, MO, 63102

Cake artist: Gina Harmon

#42: St. Louis Walk of Fame

 

Obviously, inspired by the Hollywood Walk of Fame is this unique walkway display in the Delmar Loop. It features the most notable people of the St. Louis area, from many different fields. It stretches out from University City to the St. Louis city boundary. The Walk of Fame was another brainchild of Joe Edwards (founder of Blueberry Hill, among other works in the Delmar Loop). Starting in 1989, ten inductees got a star, including Chuck Berry, Stan Musial, James Eads and Scott Joplin. Many more were inducted in the next few years. From 1994 on, no more than three were inducted. Today, there are at least 135 people and groups that have a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame. The inductees are selected by a panel of 120 people, most of them people who work for St. Louis colleges and universities.

I'd like to list every person that has one, but that would be too much space and time consumption. For a complete list, visit www.stlouiswalkoffame.org. The person doesn't necessarily have to be born and raised in St. Louis, but at least have something to do with the city. For example, the late Harold Ramis who spent most of his life in Chicago and Hollywood, attended Washington University and was inspired to write the movie 'National Lampoon's Animal House' while living here in St. Louis. You'll find many musicians, politicians, sports and media personalities, even those who date back to the beginning of St. Louis. Some of them you'll be surprised they have a connection to St. Louis (Robert Duvall!). As noted above, two or three get inducted every year. Who knows - maybe Jon Hamm, Jenna Fischer or Gayle McCormick will get a star in the future?

A juggler performs in front of the Chuck Berry statue

The best part about it: it's free! And you can access it 24/7, but its best to view it during the daytime. You'll be able to learn more about the person and/or group.

just a view of how the stars are placed along the sidewalks of Delmar Boulevard, taken in 2010

Ozzie Smith's star, with my Ozzie figurine

Jack Buck's star, taken in 2010

Chuck Berry Statue

The cake is located next to Fitz's and the Chuck Berry statue.

Wikipedia link
Official website

6605 Delmar Blvd., ST. LOUIS, MO, 63130
Cake artist: Gina Harmon