#145: Lemp Mansion

When I hear people talk about the Lemp Mansion, it is always about how the place is haunted. And it's probably true - at least to paranormal enthusiasts! This historical building has quite a lot of history to it. The Lemp family has always been a dynasty that historians seem to look into the most. The empire started when the first generation Lemp family migrated to St. Louis from Germany in 1838. They ran a grocery and in the process, they brewed a kettle of beer in the back. It would soon become a St. Louis empire, but it didn't last as it became a legendary St. Louis rise-and-fall story. Read on:

• The house was completed in 1868 by German-American Jacob Feickert. 
• The Lemp family moved into the place in 1876.
• Lemp Beer was very popular in the late 19th century, which would soon be surpassed by Anheuser-Busch in later years.
• Three suicides happened at the Lemp Mansion; the first being William Lemp, Sr. (who was the head of the brewing empire at the time) who was devastated by the death of his 4th son, Frederick, as well as his best friend, Frederick Pabst (a Milwaukee brewer).
• The caves underneath the mansion and the Cherokee-Lemp district served as refrigeration facilities by a number of brewers, including the Lemps.
• Three generations lived at the mansion, until 1949 when Charles Lemp committed suicide. From that time to 1975, the place served as a boarding house and an apartment building. 
• Years after showing signs of deterioration, the Pointer family bought the Lemp Mansion and converted it into a bed-and-breakfast type place, as well as for other uses. It is still run by them today.

The Lemp Mansion

The Lemp Mansion sign as seen from Interstate 55

An episode of KETC Channel 9's Living St. Louis, which focuses on the history of Lemp Beer

Lemp Mansion on FB
Wikipedia link (also talks about members of the Lemp family)
Official website

3322 Deminil Place, ST. LOUIS, MO, 63118
Cake artist: Phil Jarvis  (he also decorated the Luvy Duvy's cake)

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

#144: Chatillon-DeMinil Mansion

• A symbol of the Greek Revival style in St. Louis.
• Henry Chatillon, a famed hunter, built the original section of the building and lived here (along with his second wife) in 1849.
• It wasn't until 1863 when the DeMinil family gave it a more 'Greek Revival' look by making it into a mansion.
• Museum houses several artifacts, all related to St. Louis and its culture, from its origins, the families that lived there to the interstate highway that nearly destroyed the mansion.
• The largest collection of 1904 World's Fair memorabilia on public display is shown in two rooms. 
• Weddings are usually performed here as well.

A far away view of the mansion

The cake, which from what I hear, is suppose to resemble an old-style wedding cake:

Top of the cake

Right side of the cake

Back side of the cake

Left side of the cake

Chatillon- DeMinil Mansion on FB
Official website
Official website (for weddings)

3352 DeMinil Place, ST. LOUIS, MO, 63118
Cake artist: April Morrison

UPDATE (8/24/2016): The cake is still there, however it is located in the back of the place.

#143: Off Broadway

• One of St. Louis' greatest concert venues has been in business for more than 30 years.
• Many different genres of music have been played here, including jazz, electronica and rock.
• Besides the floor seating, there is also a balcony.
• Among the nation-wide famous performers that have performed here include Mumford & Sons and the Carolina Chocolate Drops

Front of the building

Off Broadway from across the street

The cake, as decorated by Kris Mosby:

Right side of the cake

Top of the cake

Back side of the cake

Left side of the cake

Off Broadway StL on FB
Off Broadway StL on Twitter
Official website

3509 Lemp Avenue, ST. LOUIS, MO, 63118
Cake artist: Kris Mosby

The cake was sold on 1/1/2015 for $485 to the Cakelovers in the biddingforgood auction. It has been placed in various places around Maplewood and Cherokee area since. As of now, it is on private property.

#142: Cherokee Business District

The Cherokee Station Business Association includes over 50 independently owned and operated businesses over seven blocks on Cherokee Street. Dating back to late 19th century, this was the place where people would do many things such as shopping, dining, among others. There was (and still is) always something for everyone here. This has always been a place for the arts, as art centers and small live entertainment venues are here. St. Louis' 'largest Cinco de Mayo party' is thrown in the Cherokee district as well.

For those curious about the complete and detailed history of the Cherokee-Lemp district, there is a virtual walking tour available. Several signs are found in the neighborhood, all over the historical buildings.

This statue was made by Bill Christman (who painted the Chuck-a-Burger cake)

3401 South Jefferson, ST. LOUIS, MO, 63118
Cake artist: Sophia Dalpaiz-Brown

The cake was sold on 1/1/2015 for $575 in the biddingforgood auction.