Traveling Solo: St. Louis
Intro
In May 2022, I moved from Georgia to North Dakota. I was excited and nervous about this journey. Not only would I be starting a new job, but I would also be living far from friends and family for the first time. The first leg of travel was from Huntsville to St. Louis. This was my first time in St. Louis, and I was looking forward to getting to see a small fraction of what they had to offer.
Gateway Arch
My first stop was the Gateway Arch National Park. In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt designated property along the St. Louis riverfront to be developed as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. Still, construction did not start until 1963 and was completed two years later. The Gateway Arch symbolizes America's western expansion and is dedicated to the "American people." However, black people were denied jobs in its construction. Indigenous and Mexican people were not a thought in this mighty display and celebration of Manifest Destiny. So, like a lot of sites in our country, this park has a complex history. Across from the Arch is an old courthouse, where Dred and Harriet Scott sued for their freedom.
I visited the Courthouse, where there is a statue of the Scotts. It was an overwhelming experience, not only as a black person but also as a lawyer. It took me back to law school, it being the first of many cases that either explicitly stated or implied that my people, and other people of color, could not be equal to a white man. Seeing the Scotts reminded me of the many catalysts that brought me to the point where I am in my life and that the fight for freedom and equal opportunity is not over. Next, I went to the Gateway Arch and rode to the top. The view was amazing. It looked over the Mississippi River, and you could see for miles. Finally, I spent time in the museum. It was a pretty balanced look at the history of the land and people surrounding the Arch. It told the history of the Native Americans of the land and their continued struggles today. It asked whether the expansion was of Manifest Destiny or Design. It mentioned the discrimination during the building of the Arch while also showing a film from the 1960s that made no mention of the discrimination. While not perfect, the revamped museum strives to tell the full history of the area, the good, bad, and ugly. If you went to the museum before 2017, I am unsure if you got that balanced look; now may be the time for a re-visit. The Courthouse is renovating and will be reopened with new galleries, including the Scotts and the history of African Americans in St. Louis.
Delmar Loop
After leaving Gateway Arch, I wanted to find a bookstore and a good place to eat. Delmar Loop was a recommended place to visit. It is an entertainment, cultural, and restaurant district in University City. The area gets its name from a streetcar turnaround that was located in the area. This street, also known as the Delmar Divide, is where the residents' racial makeup and disparities to its immediate north and south are visible. I didn't spend much time in the area. I looked around Vintage Vinyl. I visited the Chuck Berry statute, went to eat at Salt + Smoke, and went to look in a local bookstore, Subterranean Books. I wanted to explore so many other stores, and I really wanted to experience the nightlife. Since I had to make my way to my next stop, I couldn't spend much more time there.
Conclusion
I would definitely revisit St. Louis. I would want to spend more than a day exploring the area and its history. Whenever the Old Courthouse is reopened, I will plan a trip. Overall, I enjoyed my time in St. Louis. The food was good, and learning some of the history was great. I recommend a visit.