2024 National Host
EAST ST. LOUIS
ILLINOIS
OCT 09 - 13
2024
"THE GATEWAY TO THE WEST."
St.Louis holds a rich history of the African American Experience. Dating back to the time of the Dred Scott case, about one person in twenty living in St. Louis was African-American, two-thirds of whom were slaves. The percentage of the population with African descent was about five percent until the late 1870s. The end of political Reconstruction in 1877 and the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in the south compelled southern blacks to migrate north to cities such as St. Louis. Most famous, perhaps, were the Exodusters of 1879, so named for their exodus to what many of them thought was a sort of "promised land."
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Like European immigrants, these Exodusters were both pushed and pulled north. Many feared the Reconstruction and the absence of U. S. troops would eliminate their rights or, worse yet, return them to slavery. Migrating to form new black communities, mostly in Kansas, these former slaves arrived in St. Louis (and Kansas City) penniless on their trek to new lives in the West.
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Pioners led by James Milton Turner, Moses Dickson, John Wheeler, and John Turner led the creation of the Committee of Twenty-Five in early March of 1879, to organize transportation and temporary housing for the influx of newly freed African Americans.
Historical Treasure
The Griot Museum
The Griot is a great place to start when learning about black history. Visitors can view wax figures, artifacts and memorabilia of Dred and Harriet Scott, Josephine Baker, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Miles Davis and more.
Eateries
Multi-Choice Dining
Experience signature dishes, and an unforgettable taste of East St. Louis. With its own style of many culinary treats, must eat St. Louis foods include gooey butter cake, slingers, the St. Paul sandwich, toasted ravioli, St. Louis style pizza, St. Louis style barbecue, and frozen custard concretes..just to name a few.
Attractions
The Gateway Arch & More
Only in St. Louis, can you ride to the top of the country’s tallest monument. Or indulge in the vibrant arts-and-culture scene, Botanical Gardens, and historic museums. St. Louis is not only the Gateway to the West, but also a gateway to a good time.
