East ST. LOUIS (O'Fallon, Alton, Rea: crime rate, houses, neighborhoods)

[riptoman]

there's signs everywhere downtown towards the interstate...just go west.

[ShadowCaver]

Its a shame - when walking along Laclede's Landing in times past, I can imagine what a park on the East side would look like, with the green of trees/grass reflecting upon the Mississippi River. Unfortunately, and altho' its been somewhat attempted, doubt that the East side will improve much. Both sides, IMHO, are hampered quite severely due to the location of the I-70/55 bridge, along w/ the accompanying highways that destroy 'space' of the area. There are many industrial facilities on the East side, along w/ the above mentioned 'entertainment' establishments - I will only admit to visiting the industrial facilities [had customer/suppliers there]... And, yes, that side does have a terrible reputation for violence [for some historical perspective, look up the riots of 1917 ]. There is the $4m 'highest water geyser in the world' [the Gateway Geyser] in the Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park - but, I've not been to it, so can't say much about that. Large silo grain elevators have come down, to help improve the looks of the area too. A casino boat is also docked on that side, promoting tourism/visitors.

As always, there is hope... but,,, how dedicated and sincere are the leaders of the people they represent, in truly getting the area in a more positive light? Along with the populace itself - they must also desire such, and then also help work for a better neighborhood too.

[SashaBlue]

Well said, ShadowCaver. The people have to want it.

[bouldercol]

When I visited the area a while back the area looked a little rough. In fact we were warned to stay clear of the Illinois side. The Missouri side is the place to be.

My grandparents(who live in Illinois) told me that their neighbors son, who cuts their grass, was going to playing a football game in East St. Louis. They were jokingly sad about the fact that they would have to start cutting the grass themselves. I ask them why, and they said, that now matter if the team won, the bus was getting flipped and flamed before they left the city. lol!

From tourist eyes, it was pretty rough looking.

[2beamissourian]

Originally Posted by bouldercol

When I visited the area a while back the area looked a little rough. In fact we were warned to stay clear of the Illinois side. The Missouri side is the place to be.

My grandparents(who live in Illinois) told me that their neighbors son, who cuts their grass, was going to playing a football game in East St. Louis. They were jokingly sad about the fact that they would have to start cutting the grass themselves. I ask them why, and they said, that now matter if the team won, the bus was getting flipped and flamed before they left the city. lol!

From tourist eyes, it was pretty rough looking.

now not all of Illinois side is like this ... but if you cross over the river it depends on where you cross at! There are pretty places and things to see ..
Alton has Lovejoy's monument, tours by Troy Who does Alton's Haunted tours, Robert Wadlows home , Grave site, and his monument, and the Ugly river casino ... if you travel to the North of Alton and come down the Great River Road there is the Famous Piasa Bird that the Natives Painted upon the bluffs, up a little farther we have Grafton .. river town with lots of little shops .. and then there is Per Marquette's State park ...

East St. Louis is a pit area now ... yes at one time it was something .. but now its the area of crime , gangs, and just more than a eye sore... the people have to make the change and honest most ppl in that area are lower income and I don't think they have it in them to "change the area"

[ajf131]

It's quite simple people...just follow the friggin' signage and you'll find I-55! Or get a road atlas...how hard can it be? You'd think there were enough people out there that were smarter than Clark Griswold.

[SashaBlue]

It's not that he doesn't know where to turn, he just misses it and gets in the wrong lane everytime. My boss is from St. Louis, and she said it was tricky.

[2beamissourian]

Originally Posted by SashaBlue

It's not that he doesn't know where to turn, he just misses it and gets in the wrong lane everytime. My boss is from St. Louis, and she said it was tricky.

lol thats what I do! my sister would start saying its coming up get in the other lane hurry up or we will end of est get in the other darn lane now! lol

[stuckinflorida]

E St. Louis is consistantly at the top of the list of the worst cities in America along w/ Detroit.

[AdamK]

Here is what I can tell you, I live in west st. louis, and I have never heard of anyone say anything about east st. louis unless they were talking about going to the strip clubs. They often say "lets go to the east side" which means go to the strip club