Marching In (and Around) St. Louis
August 1, 2002
I went marching in and around St. Louis for a day. My first stop, of course, was the Jefferson Western Expansion Memorial; aka The Gateway Arch. I took the elevator (watch your head) to the top and took a few pictures up there, and then went through the Lewis & Clark museum at the bottom. Then I strolled around and over to the old courthouse. This was where the Dred Scott case was first heard. I knew the name but did not remember the details of the case. Dred Scott was a slave who was moved to the north where slavery was outlawed so he sued for his freedom. Eventually it went to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1854 and their decision that he was still slave because he had no rights under the Constitution greatly alarmed Northerners and was just one more factor leading to the Civil War.
After that I drove about 10 miles east to Cahokian Mounds. This was the site of the largest pre-Columbian city in North American. Some 20000 natives lived in the area up to the 1300's. I climbed to the top of the highest mound from which you could see downtown St. Louis. After that I drove back to the city and checked out Forest Park and the History Museum. The park one of the largest city parks anywhere (much larger than New York's Central Park) and the Museum had a Lindbergh and other interesting exhibits. I did not take any pictures there, though.
Finally I went to the Butterfly House, which was a tropical habitat for many different butterfly species. I really enjoyed that and took many picture there and in the park around it.
Next time I hope I have more than a day to march. St. Louis was a very nice city, with many other attractions. I guess that is why it is in the Show Me State!
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