Update: The Grand Water was repainted in the summer of 2020.
I once wrote that George I. Barnett designed the Grand Water Tower to look like it was the relic of a long-gone civilization, and with the way that the city has disappeared around it, his wish has ironically come true.
I love your work. I have made two trips to north side St. Louis and am hoping to go back this summer. I photographed that water tower in July and also a building which I learned from your site was the Jewish Orthodox Old Home. I have read that these are dangerous areas though.
Thank you, Matt! Please stop by some of the businesses and restaurants up there when you go next time. I highly recommend Jerk Soul in Hyde Park if you haven’t tried it yet, or La Mancha Coffee House in Old North.
Chris, thanks and I will check those out. I wanted to visit St. Louis because I am a longtime fan of the movie “Escape from New York.” Most of the NYC scenes were filmed in STL, including the Chain of Rocks Bridge and the area where there was a fire in 1976 where Schlafly Tap Room is located. Fox Theatre, Masonic Temple and Union Station were other filming locations. I came across the north side while driving to Bellefontaine Cemetery and the St. Augustine Catholic Church caught my eye. I went inside that church last summer which is not something I normally do. I also saw another church that I have learned is now an indoor skateboard rink.
Ah yes, SK8 Liborius! You also need to check out the “69th Street Bridge” which is actually the Chain of Rocks Bridge. It has beautiful views of the Mississippi River, the portion of which is the largest section of non-barge-trafficked river south of St. Paul.
http://stlouispatina.com/chain-of-rocks-bridge-abstractions/