This wacky path through the city and county tied our previous record of most cakes in a single day, 18.
112. Mercantile Library
112. Mercantile Library
We tried to come here over the summer when UMSL was out, but the library was closed on Sundays then. This library is an eclectic collection of St. Louis history artifacts. Most of the pieces are related to transportation, especially trains and boats, but there are also sculptures, books, maps, and all kinds of unique thingamabobs. It's the oldest library west of the Mississippi, established in 1846. It now resides in the basement of the Jefferson Library on the campus of UMSL.
113. Bellefontaine Cemetery
We didn't stay longer than it took to get the cake, but the list of individuals buried here is a who's who of St. Louis history.
114. Matthews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club
In 2009, 15 arches were installed in various locations to celebrate St. Louis hosting the MLB All-Star Game. Some of them are still standing, and some have been moved to other locations. This one, which was originally at Kiener Plaza, was the first of two we saw on this cakeday. The M-D Boys and Girls Club is an important destination for the people of the city of St. Louis. Since 1960, they have provided facilities and programs to keep youth "on the fields and off the streets." Over the years, it has attracted the attention of many professional athletes, local philanthropists, and at least one President.
115. Grand Avenue Water Tower
This water tower is the oldest in St. Louis. It was built in 1871 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
This cake is very cute. There are probably close to 50 (or more?) hot air balloons all over it, and we liked how each side of the base showed a different landmark location.
116. Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing
This cake is set off the Riverfront Trail, part of the Great Rivers Greenway, which we've seen before here and here. The cake is painted with feet and celebrates walking, so Cakelet is showing you her walking feet. Across the bike path from the cake is a mural depicting the freedom crossing. Mary Meachum was a free woman of color in 1855, as the widow of a clergyman. She escorted slaves across the river to freedom. This location is designated as a site of the Underground Railroad.
117. Mounds Heritage Trail
This is such a weird cake with a lot of detail. See the octopus at Cakelet's feet?
Apostrophe abuse abounds.
118. Crown Candy Kitchen
For over 100 years, Crown Candy in north city has been serving ice cream, candies, milkshakes, bacon sandwiches, and other diner fare to the masses. This family business, in its fourth generation, claims the title, "St. Louis' oldest soda fountain." As you can see, even on a rainy day, the line to get in for lunch goes out the door and down the block.
119. Old North
Right across the street from Crown Candy was the Old North Farmer's Market, which we followed to this cake. The Old North neighborhood, was established in 1816 and was incorporated by the city in 1841. For the past several decades, it has been the focus of a large urban renewal project.
120. Griot Museum of Black History
The Griot is a wax museum of black figures important to St. Louis history. After checking out their website, I'm sorry that we did not take the opportunity to view the exhibits.
121. The Grove/LGBT Center
The neighborhood recently retitled The Grove (formerly known as Forest Park Southeast), is home to many LGBT-owned, -operated, and -friendly businesses. We were intending to visit Sweetie Pie's for lunch, but the line was down the block, so we chose instead to eat at Layla's, which was quite yummy. The gooey butter baklava is a must-try.
122. Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital
Cardinal John Glennon was Archbishop of St. Louis from 1903 to 1946. The hospital opened in his name in 1956. It is now part of the SSM system.
123. Compton Hill Water Tower
Our second water tower of the day. As of 2008, only seven stand-pipe style water towers still stood in the US. Three of which are in St. Louis, and as of 2014, all of those are still standing. (See Grand Ave Water Tower, #115.)
124. Jay's International Market
Jay's International Market on South Grand has quite the variety of produce and products from cuisines from around the world. Cakelet enjoyed this giant fish.
125. The Hill
Italian immigrants to St. Louis claimed this area, which is the highest elevation within the city limits, in the 1890s. The Hill is one of the most stable neighborhoods in the city. Across from this cake is the statue shown below.
And, this cake marks the HALFWAY point!! Woo-hoo!
And, this cake marks the HALFWAY point!! Woo-hoo!
126. Rigazzi's
The Hill is home to many great Italian restaurants, of which Rigazzi's is one. They've been serving authentic Italian since 1957. This was our second All-Star arch of the day, too.
127. Shakespeare Festival
We missed this cake when it was at the festival in Forest Park earlier in the year. It since moved to the offices of the festival in the Hill area. St. Louis' highly acclaimed Shakespeare Festival is in its 15th year. And it's totally free!
128. World's Fair Pavilion
The shelter here was built in 1909 with proceeds raised during the 1904 World's Fair. This quite large pavilion is often rented for weddings and other events.
129. St. Louis Art Museum
It's been mentioned a few times on this blog that so many of our cultural institutions are absolutely free to the public. It's true! The inscription at the top of the Art Museum's main building is "Dedicated to Art and Free for All." This motto is replicated on the cake top.
121 to go.