#241: Youthbridge Community Foundation

• The Youthbridge Foundation goes all the way back to 1877.
• It was called at that time, the German General Protestant Orphan's Home.
• The non-profit charitable group focuses mainly on 1)nonprofit sustainability, 2) transfer of wealth, 3) community support, and 4) leadership
• In 2005, it partnered with Washington University. Together, they started and funded Havenhouse, which is located at Youthbridge.
• In 2013, Youthbridge provided more than $1,000,000 to St. Louis youth/children's charities.

Youthbridge building

This was one of the (If I remember correctly) last 3 cakes put out. The cake, which was decorated by multi-cake artist Rich Brooks in front of a live audience at the Soulard Arts Center. This one has handprints from many fellow cake hunters:

Left side of the cake

Back side of the cake

Right side of the cake

Top of the cake with handprints of those who were there when Rich Brooks painted the cake live

YouthBridge Community Foundation on FB
Official website

12685 Olive Blvd., ST. LOUIS, MO, 63141
Cake artist: Rich Brooks

#215: Campbell House Museum

1508 Locust St., ST. LOUIS, MO, 63103
Cake artist: Nicholas Nihira

#199: City Museum

The museum call itself an 'eclectic mixture of children's playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion, and architectural marvel'. Most people who have been here say this museum is anything but. Having been here myself a few times: Yes, you can learn some things! Example: be kind to your knees and wear kneepads when crawling.

1997 was the year this building gave St. Louis something very innovative. Housed in a former International Shoe building, this was meant to be a place where parents, grownups (or whatever you feel like calling them) and kids can both enjoy themselves. Think about an indoor and outdoor playground. Crawling, climbing, sliding, jumping. Yea, it's kind of like that! In season, you can also go up on the roof where there is a giant ferris wheel and the famous 'hanging school bus'.

The museum is also known for its exhibits, which cost extra. The aquarium is famous as well. Many corporate parties have been held here. Concerts too. Ska band Fishbone has performed here. The first three floors, which are generally open to the public, each have a theme (ex: circus partly on 3rd floor). The other top floors are not open, as some of them have been used for housing.

The City Museum was the brainchild of the late Bob Cassilly and his then-wife, Gail. They actually bought the 10-story building in 1983, but it wasn't until several years later they wanted it to be part of reviving downtown St. Louis, especially on the outskirts. Cassilly was mostly known for his sculptures, that were mostly animals. His work can be seen not only at the museum, but in other places as well (see Turtle Park). In 2000, Bob founded Cementland, which focused on repurposing at an old cement factory. In a sad irony, Cassilly was killed in a bulldozer accident in 2011 at Cementland.

The rooftop as seen from a far distance

The International Shoe Co. sign on the left side of the building

The outdoor play area in the front of the building

Hey, what's happening up there?! The hanging school bus, that is. I actually know a couple that got engaged up there.

Outdoor ball pit

Just an outdoor sign

One of the indoor slides, seen when you first come in the place

The cake, which has some unique detail (and is 3-D!):

Right side of the cake

Left side of the cake

Well, I tried to get MOST of the cake's back side

City Museum on FB
Wikipedia link
Official website

701 North 15th Street, ST. LOUIS, MO, 63103
Cake artist: the City Museum staff

#197: Ashley Street Power House/Riverfront Trail

Facts about the Ashley Street Power House:

• It was constructed in 1902 by architect/engineer Charles Ledlic. 
• It was the first large electrical power plant to be erected by Union Electric (later became Ameren). 
• The building was intentionally placed near the Mississippi River.
• Designated as a City Landmark in 1971.
• Even though still in use, the building is currently not open to the public as of this writing.

Right side of the Ashley Street Power House building

Hey wait, that's my shadow! Dang it

Next to the building is the southern starting point for the Riverfront Trail. The trail is 11.8 miles long and it ends at the point of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. Considered as an 'urban trail', there are many buildings it passes, plus wildlife is seen. The Riverfront Trail parallels the Mississippi River. One of the major stops on the trail is the Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing.

Left side of the cake

Back side of the cake

Right side of the cake

Unfortunately at this time there is no official website for either the Riverfront Trail and the Ashley Street Power House.

Located at the corner of Biddle and Leonor K. Sullivan streets
Cake artist: Theresa Hopkins

#194: Eugene Field House

This was my second time trying to get the cake here. This location was for a long time, an indoor cake. The museum/house is only open on certain days, so anyone who would come here on a Monday or Tuesday would be out of luck. (I came here on a Monday back in May) In mid-July they moved it outside the entrance. Now, it is behind a locked gate. Lucky for me, I was able to get it while it was in front of the building.

Eugene Field was the son of Roswell Field, who represented Dred Scott in the famous court case that divided this nation. Eugene, who was born in the house in 1850, went on to become a children's writer, as well as a columnist for various newspapers. His poems gained national fame, one of them being 'Wynken, Blynken and Nod'. Field moved to various cities during his lifetime, including St. Joseph, Missouri and Denver, Colorado. He died in Chicago in 1895. 

The house is also known as a toy museum. Apparently, Eugene was a mega toy collector in his short life. Unfortunately, none of his toys that he collected no longer exist. Thankfully though, the museum has collected toys in his honor. You'll see plenty of them on display inside the place.

Here's a few shots of what I saw in the house/museum:

A replica of Roswell Field's office.

Random shot of one of the toy rooms

Dollhouse

One of several enlarged posters throughout the museum. This one is a timeline of the Fields' life and house.

And now, the cake. The inspiration for the cake was a lily pond, surrounded by the beatifications of Tower Grove Park. Otherwise, the cake doesn't have anything to do with Eugene Field House/Toy Museum:

Right side of the cake

Left side of the cake

There are many places that are named in Eugene Field's honor. In fact, there is another Eugene Field House (open for tourists) in Denver.

NOW: The cake is still at the Eugene Field House. However, it is in the back yard behind a fence.

Eugene Field House on FB
Wikipedia link
Official website

634 South Broadway, ST. LOUIS, MO, 63102
Cake artist: Corinne Didisheim  (Corinne also decorated the Grants Trail cake)

#116: Monroe County Welcome Center

The gateway to

Monroe County Welcome Center on FB


6 Gall Road, COLUMBIA, IL, 62236
Cake artist: Patricia Riess

#113: Madison County Courthouse

I was more than thrilled when I first found out there was going to be another cake in my hometown! One of the cakes closest to me is located at the heart of Madison County's seat, Edwardsville. Edwardsville is the third oldest city in Illinois, established in 1818 (same year Illinois entered the union). It is named after Ninian Edwards, who was governor of the Illinois territory. Edwardsville is home to many parks, one of the most notable public school districts in Illinois, as well as SIUE (Southern Illinois University Edwardsville).

• Madison County, IL's 2013 estimated population: 267, 225
• Madison Co.'s first courthouse was in a log cabin at the north end of Edwardsville in 1813.
• Starting in 1857, the courthouse has been located on Main Street. 
• Abraham Lincoln was once an attorney at the courthouse in 1814, and spoke at the 1857 courthouse in 1858.
• The current building was built in 1915. (It is currently undergoing renovations so they can celebrate its 100th anniversary next year)

The other sides of the cake:

Right side of the cake

Back side of the cake

Left side of the cake

Madison County Circuit Clerk's website
City of Edwardsville website
Madison County government website

155 North Main Street, EDWARDSVILLE, IL, 62025
Cake artist: Nicole Cooper

#73: Heritage House

• Opened in 1968 as a place for retired teachers with affordable housing.
• 19 stories high.
• Idea first came in 1962. 
• A fire occurred in 2012 but was safely put out.
• Today, it serves as an independent living complex for seniors who enjoy getting around St. Louis and do activities.

Front of the building

A view from the bottom

Official website

2800 Olive St., ST. LOUIS, MO, 63103
Cake artist: Ashli England (she also decorated the Lewis & Clark Boat House cake)