The man got out in time, but the wood frame house was a complete loss, burning to the ground in 30 minutes. The pink dust in the last photograph was from when the chimney collapsed.
Tag: East St. Louis
Mary Brown Center, Lincoln Park, East St. Louis
This geodesic dome functions as a gymnasium, part of a larger rec plex in Lincoln Park.
Old Macedonia Baptist Church
The congregation moved across the intersection to a new building. They do not seem to be using the old church.
The Old Power Plant, East St. Louis
Update: This was a glass plant. I don’t think anyone has every really figured out what the story is about this towering power plant buried in the thick undergrowth on the south side of East St. Louis. It looks to be made out of reinforced concrete, placing its construction in my opinion between the World…
Old Broadview Hotel, East St. Louis
Update: This building was renovated beginning in 2024. For better or for worse, the government of East St. Louis lacks the money to tear down its sturdy abandoned buildings. For right now, the old Broadview Hotel is still standing, with hopes of it reopening in its original use. I don’t see that happening anytime soon.
Gateway Geyser, Rare Sighting
The tallest fountain in the United States.
Cargill Grain Elevator
Oops! There’s a grain elevator in the middle of the park on the East St. Louis Riverfront. Saw a wedding party there getting photos (of the St. Louis skyline, not the grain elevator). Nothing classier than drinking Bud Light out of can in a tuxedo.
Back Out State Street, East St. Louis
I wandered back over some of the areas surrounding the former wealthy Olivette Park neighborhood near the Katherine Dunham House. I had looked around, and been impressed with the architecture of what remained. I found another church that I feel could very well have been a Christian Scientist church, with its strong Beaux-Arts details against…
Checking in on National City
Update: The packing plant was demolished in the spring of 2016. I went and checked in on that little bit of purgatory, that portion of National City that runs into East St. Louis on the north side of I-64/55. Things are not good. While the Armour Meat Packing Plant still sits in isolation in thick…