Ainad Temple, East St. Louis

Long known as one of the last surviving institutions from the "old" East St. Louis, the Ainad Temple is a fascinating mix of brick and Moorish Revival decorative elements.

Inspired by buildings such as the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, it reflects an architectural frame of mind that was willing to borrow from any style that suited architects and their clients.

There was talk of moving two years ago, but I hope that they've changed their minds and chosen to stay.

Also, I will be presenting about the exciting future of St. Louis Patina at 7:00 PM at the Contemporary Art Museum on July 12th, in conjunction with PechaKucha St. Louis. I hope to see you there.

Venice Power Plant, Half Gone

I've been fascinated by the demolition of the Venice Power Plant, which I've covered before in the past.

Unlike a lot of demolitions, which start with the clearing of the interior, the demolition here is proceeding from front to back, revealing the still intact interior spaces before they're torn down.

I know nothing about power plants, other than they burn coal, creating steam that powers a generator; perhaps what those giant funnels do is pour coal down into the boilers.

There are four of them, and there were once four smokestacks, so I presume that is what they are.

There is a whole complex of other outbuildings, which I presume will be torn down as well.

If you or anyone you know worked in this plant, I would love to hear from you.

Bronze Door, World War I Memorial, Kansas City, Missouri

Apex, World War I Memorial, Kansas City, Missouri

I never realized before, but there are four sculptures at the top of the monument, each facing a different direction. They're all identical, more or less, despite my thinking that they weren't from the ground.

World War I Memorial, Kansas City, Missouri

Designed by Harold Van Buren Magonigle, the Liberty Memorial, or more commonly referred to as the World War I Memorial, towers over southern Kansas City. It is fascinating in its design, as I am not readily able to identify any architectural archetypes upon which it is based.

A sleek, slender shaft of limestone juts up out of a simple plaza of the same stone, and then is topped with a large oblong globe.

Described by one source as being Egyptian Revival, I fail to see any strong connections to that style other than in the fluting on the shaft of the memorial.

The surrounding structures, which once held museums dedicated to the war, are in fact in a severe Egyptian Revival style.

Shrouded sphinxes flank either side of the approach to the main monument.

Vine Street Workhouse, Kansas City, Missouri

Did I discover an ancient fortress in the wilderness? Well, not exactly, as if you look closer, you see that this castle has cinder blocks in its windows and doors.

The Vine Street Workhouse was the old jail for the city of Kansas City, which I had the opportunity to visit over the Memorial Day weekend.

Located on the near east side of the city, it sits in a veritable forest of overgrown trees and underbrush.

The good news is that the jail has been been mothballed and the owner is actively seeking to find a buyer for the property.

It's a stunning building, though slightly smaller in real life than I thought it was by looking at pictures on-line. A railroad runs right by the site, further confirming that this is no long lost medieval castle.

I was impressed by this gigantic weed; does anyone know what it is?

World War I Memorial, Kansas City, Missouri

Find the cost of freedom, buried in the ground

Stacy Park/Reservoir

Few people passing by on Olive Street Road in Creve Coeur realize they're passing a 100 million gallon reservoir for the City of St. Louis.

Built in conjunction with the Howard Bend Treatment Plant in the early 20th Century, the reservoir received water pumped uphill from the plant, and then gravity took the water downhill to the city.

There are a couple of interesting buildings around the site, and interestingly, I did not see a single sign stating the purpose of the structure. If you look at Google maps, you can see there is a right-of-way going east from the reservoir that is probably the path of the water pipe.

Howard Bend Water Plant

Most people don't know it, but much of the water for the City of St. Louis (and some sold to St. Louis and St. Charles counties) comes in via the Howard Bend Water Treatment Plant on the Missouri River, fifteen miles from the city limits.

It is a massive, complex, with its towering smokestack, and it possesses a incongruous presence among the lowlands and farm fields around it.

Castle Ballroom

The Castle Ballroom, nominated for the National Register of Historic Places, is a little rough around the edges right now, but is still a stable and important building.

One of the few buildings left from the historic Mill Creek neighborhood, the ballroom provided entertainment for around fifty years.

While it's described as Renaissance Revival in the nomination, I would have to disagree; it is more of a severe example of classical revival architecture, though I see one element, the curved lintel over the first floor door is inspired by the architecture of Michelangelo.

Originally red brick, it was painted the garish yellow sometime later. Though in St. Louis, with its wide variety of colored bricks, it is sometimes hard to tell.

Council Tower Brick Mural Complete

The scaffolding is just about all gone now, and the giant brick mural once again graces the side of this important landmark in Midtown.

Last Remaining Gasometer

Once one of four gasometers built in the St. Louis area, it is now the last one, clinging to life in splendid isolation on Natural Bridge Avenue.

Shots Around St. Louis by Jeff Phillips

I gave my friend in from China a tour around the city and parts of Illinois, and these are some of the shots he took.

Above, Armour Meat Packing Plant, and below a corner store in North City.

Below, I think this house is in Old North St. Louis.

Taking a shot of some houses while we were driving creates an interesting visual effect in the foreground.

The lines of the McKinley Bridge never cease to amaze me as well.

And finally, the view of downtown from the old National Stockyards. The day we were there the prostitutes out along Route 3 were wearing Santa Claus hats.

All photos by Jeff Phillips