#247: Grant's Farm

Now here's a place I haven't been to since my childhood days in the 80s. It was great to be back. Sure, there are a lot of things I didn't remember and obviously some things had to have changed since 1988.

Grant's Farm, is without doubt, one of the most notable places for families to get together and have fun. I wish I can say this is very travel and tourist-friendly, only because there are no signs off the interstate that point how to get here. Not everyone owns a GPS, you know! Another positive and negative: + it is free, - everything else costs an arm and a leg. You can pay for parking just right in front of the place or you can walk the trail and park somewhere close for free. Either way, its 'grant'ed a great time for anyone, regardless of age.

The entrance from the parking lot

Entrance to the Tier Garden at Grant's Farm

But just think, you can see several, I mean several, different animals you probably won't see anywhere else in America. You'll be able to see them out in the 'wilderness' all over the farm via tram. At the end of the tram ride, just walk around and enjoy nature and the animals. Or just head straight toward the Tier Garden. If you are 21 and over and drink alcohol, you can get 2 free samples of selected Anheuser-Busch brand of beer. It's a great social setting, with old German music playing in the background. Or if you're up for some history, check out some Anheuser-Busch memorablia in the rooms. And, of course, the cake is located here too!

You'll also get a lot of history. Ulysses S. Grant, 18th President of the United States, once farmed here in the 1850s before his Civil War days. His hand-built home is featured here, along with the Busch family mansion. (The land was purchased by the Busch family in later years). It was finally opened to the public in 1954, making this year (2014) its 61st year in operations.

Most of you know I am not an animal person, but I thought I'd share some pics I took during the tram tour

The bald eagle was not part of the tram tour, but right when you get off, you'll see them

The cake, which sits high in the tier garden. I was unable to get the top part, in which hopefully I wasn't missing out on anything!:  (Please note: in order to get this cake, you have to take the tram all the way around to the Tier Garden. In other words, allow yourself plenty of time. Likely 35-45 minutes average, from the time you get out of your car to here.)

Right side of the cake

Right and back side of the cake

Left side of the cake

Grant's Farm on FB
Wikipedia link
Official website

10501 Gravois Rd., ST. LOUIS, MO, 63123   (it is actually located in Grantwood Village)
Cake artists: Ian Greenlee and Julie Krovicka

#246: Sappington House Museum

The Thomas Sappington House was one of my last few final stops to 250. I ended up parking here in the early afternoon so I can easily access the Grants Trail to Grants Farm. It was, like, 95 degrees hot outside! But after all the exploring, it was worth dodging the $12 parking fee at the farm. It was about a mile and a half using the trail from the Sappington House to Grants Farm. Unfortunately, I didn't go in the restaurant, gift shop or take the tour. I hope to come back sometime down the road.

Who is Thomas Sappington, you ask? Here are the factoids:

• The Sappington Family were early settlers of St. Louis County, during the final days of Lewis & Clark's expedition.
• Thomas was a Revolutionary War veteran who served as George Washington's bodyguard at Valley Forge
• The house was built in 1808 after Thomas' marriage to Mary Ann Kinkhead.
• The Sappington Barn was built in later years, and is a model of a barn that once existed on the property in the 19th century.
• The house was restored and by 1966, it was open for tourists. Still is to this day, as a reminder of what life was like during the 19th century in Crestwood and St. Louis.

Front of the Sappington House (from the road)

The cake, designed by the students of the Ursuline Academy of St. Louis (an all-girls private high school that is located in nearby suburb Oakland and is, fittingly enough, on Sappington Road):

Back side of the cake

Right side of the cake

Left side of the cake

Top of the cake, which reads Ursuline Academy's initials and a message: 'Go light your world'

NOW: As of 6/4/2015, the cake is still sitting there.

Official website


1015 S. Sappington Road, CRESTWOOD, MO, 63126
Cake artists: Ursuline Academy Students

#222: Black Madonna Shrine and Grottos

One of the most 'far out there' places lies outside the historic Route 66 community of Pacific, Missouri. I had to drive nearly 15 miles from I-44. But it was worth the drive to explore this unique outdoor gallery. If you're in for something breathtaking and a bit offbeat, this is for you.

When you look around the place, you can't help but notice several rock sculptures and grottos. And now here's the kicker: it was all put together by one man. That person was Brother Bronislaus, who was a single Franciscan monk from Poland. He did all this in more than 20 years. 100 years ago it was all forestry and woods. It was all torn down and by 1938 Bronislaus went to work and used the tiff rock to create his masterpieces.

I took several photos while I was there, but here are some:

The Shrine Chapel

The entrance sign

The cake,

UPDATE: The cake is reportedly still there as of 1/25/2016. It was reportedly removed for awhile in 2015, but brought back in public view.

Wikipedia link
Official website

100 Saint Joseph's Hill Road, PACIFIC, MO, 63069
Cake artist: Craig Downs  (he also decorated the Fort San Carlos/Ballpark Hilton cake)

#217: Scott Joplin House

It was more than a thrill to come in here and check this place out for the very first time. Those who know me very well know that I am a popular-music enthusiast. And yes, Scott Joplin is considered popular music. In fact, some scholars cite him to be one of the first in 'modern popular music', before it even became a term! Even more thrilling is the fact that he lived in St. Louis, but for a brief amount of time. Nonetheless, this museum is the only place in the world devoted to the 'King of Ragtime Music'.

I think everyone who loves music and pop culture of any kind will enjoy this museum. It has everything historians will want you to know about Scott Joplin. Memorablia is on the walls and on display, as well as items and furniture (even though they weren't his) from the early 1900s are spread throughout the house. The house has been restored to its original condition, with help from several volunteers.

A little background on the house: Scott Joplin and his wife moved here from Sedalia in 1900 to Morgan Street (now named Delmar Boulevard). At that time, it was a neighborhood/city section where African-Americans lived, worked and commuted. It is said by the website and other publications that they lived here from 1903, although my tour guide told me they actually lived here for only a year. I believe even though this was their home, they might have dropped in every now and then during those four years. Unfortunately, history does not record when he and his spouse actually stayed at the house. This is just what historians believe.

Here are some facts about Joplin:

• His birthdate is believed to be in 1868, even though it has not been ever verified. 
• Born in Marshall, Texas, he moved to Sedalia to expand his craft and enroll at the George R. Smith College for Negros, where he studied music.
• By the time he was a teenager, he was an expert in music, playing several instruments.
• His most popular compositions were Maple Leaf Rag, The Entertainer and Bethena. 
• Sadly, during the Joplins' stay in St. Louis, their baby girl (who was born there) died while an infant and Scott and his wife divorced him.
• On another sad note, most of his possessions (if known), including his hand-written compositions did not survive as they were destroyed.
• While he wasn't in St. Louis in 1904, he did write a song based on the World's Fair after seeing a fountain he considered beautiful, titled Cascades. 
• He spent many of his post-St. Louis years on the road, and eventually moved to New York City in 1907, hoping to expand his success. 
• Joplin died in 1917 at a mental institution in Manhattan, after suffering from syphilis and dementia for a year.

As you can see, there's several things I can say about Joplin; too many to list! But I hope this is a clear overview of his short-lived life. Ragtime music was a popular form of music in the early 1900s, which spun off into several different subgenres. It would be overshadowed by a more contemporary type of music, including slower, romantic waltzes and famous dances including the charleston by the 1920s. Ragtime music is widely considered an ancestral type of music for rock and roll.

In 1974, Scott Joplin's work would be recognized again thanks to the late Marvin Hamlisch. Hamlisch recorded many of Joplin's songs and featured them to the soundtrack to the Oscar-winning movie, The Sting. Hamlisch's version of 'The Entertainer' went to No. 3 on the Billboard Pop chart, as well as hitting No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.



Wikipedia link
Official website

2658 Delmar, ST. LOUIS, MO, 63103
Cake artist: Bruce Howard   (he also decorated the Kenrick-Glennon cake)

#211: Shrine of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

And the last part of downtown St. Charles which has a cake location is right on the Lewis & Clark Trail, or Highway 94. This one is at the Shrine of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne.

Left side of the cake

Right side of the cake

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Wikipedia link

619 North Second St., ST. CHARLES, MO, 63301
Cake artist: Megan Rieke

#204: Historic Daniel Boone Home & Heritage Center

*PUBLIC VOTE WINNER*

The last time I was here, I was either 3 or 4 years old, when my dad took my family on a day-long road trip here and some other historical place (can't remember?!). I didn't have any memories of it, but nonetheless it was a thrill to come back here. I didn't, however, go in the house. I was on a time schedule at the time, but I did walk around a bit and bought stuff from the gift shop. There were men outside in front of the gift shop constructed a new pavilion. I'm not sure when it will open.

The gift shop, which provides access to the walkway to the real house

The four-story Georgian style home was built to overlook the Femme Osage valley. It was built by Daniel's son, Nathan. The house now sits as part of Boonefield Village.

The village of Defiance is an unincorporated community.

A glimpse of the actual home from behind the gift shop

About Daniel Boone:

• Born in Reading, PA in 1734. 
• Later settled in North Carolina and hunted for a living. 
• Migrated westward to present-day Kentucky, where he helped organize the future state starting in 1767.
• He finally moved his family to Missouri, or at the time, called Upper Louisiana, in 1799.
• Died in the home on September 26, 1820.

Left side of the cake

Right side of the cake

Daniel Boone Home on FB (as Lindenwood University Daniel Boone Home)
Wikipedia link

1868 Highway F, DEFIANCE, MO, 63341
Cake artist: John Troy  (he also decorated the Lindenwood University cake)

#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.

#157: Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center

Located in 'The Ville' neighborhood in St. Louis, the Annie Malone Children & Family Service Center serves as an orphanage.

Annie Malone, born in 1869, was one of the first African-American female entrepreneurs. She rose from poverty in Southern Illinois (she grew up in Metropolis, IL) to building an empire for her hair-care products. The business proved to be revolutionary, with sales of her products as well as Malone's marketing techniques. Malone was a multi-millionaire by the 1920s, but by that time she was donating her wealth to different African-American organizations and programs that helped people of that race.

It was in 1922 that she helped the St. Louis Colored Orphans Home build a facility which stands in the Ville, which also carries her name (along with the street it is on). In 1888 the St. Louis COH was first organized, as a non-profit organization. It was and still is a way for neglected, abused and street-wise kids to be provided with education and certain programs. Malone later had to deal with personal and business issues the last 30 years of her life, while moving to Chicago's south side. She passed away in 1957 at age 87.

The place is also known as 'The Annie Malone Mansion'.

Left side of the cake

An episode of KETC Channel 9's 'Living St. Louis' devoted to Annie Malone

Annie Malone (person) Wikipedia link
Official website

2612 Annie Malone Drive, ST. LOUIS, MO, 63113
Cake artist: Theresa Hopkins

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