EAST ST LOUIS: The Most DANGEROUS SUBURB In The United States

I visited East St Louis, Illinois.

Travel Vlog 226

[xblader]

Each building left in ruins is someone's dream that is gone. So sad.

[mikecronin]

I'm 70 years old and was born at St Mary's hospital in 1952. It was a great place to grow up. The Jones park pool was my summer hangout. I left there to join the Navy and went to Vietnam. When I returned two years later it looked like a Marine search and destroy battalion had gone through it. I live in Maine now, "The way life should be". Mike from Maine.

[terrygeer]

A few days ago I was driving near St Louis with my family. We were in a minivan pulling a camper and I hit some sort of dead animal on the highway. Apparently the impact ripped the 7 pin brake light cable out of the receiver which was then destroyed by being dragged along the highway. I Good Samaritan signaled to me that brake lights were out and I pulled off the highway immediately… into East St Louis. This guy described it as bleak. That’s a great word. You can tell it was once a very cool place. I spoke with a Lt. Franklin from the PD who allowed me to park my trailer in the PD parking lot shown in the video, right next to the abandoned Police station building. I took my family to a hotel about 20 minutes away where they stayed until I repaired my trailer brake lights in the police dept parking lot. The police were all very kind. I only saw 2 civilian people the entire time I was there… which was the bleakest part of it.

[dcinkc]

I'm 64 years old and was born and raised in St Louis. My mother who passed last year at 96 years old was born and raised in East St Louis. She told us lots of stories about growing up there and for her, it was only fond memories even though she described her family as "dirt poor.". Once manufacturing plants closed, the death knell started sounding for East St Louis and for other like cities across the U.S. Very very sad.

[gfmikols]

I was an over the road truck driver for 11 years. Granted, I went to a lot of industrial areas that aren’t typically very pretty. You can still get a “feel” for a place. Top 5 worst places I’ve ever been: 1. Gary Indiana 2. East St. Louis 3. Camden NJ. 4. Little Rock 5. Memphis TN.. Love your vids Spoda!

[justinsinger]

I was around east stl a few weeks ago and saw a family with their kids at a park and it reminded me that some of these people are just trying to live and survive in a very broken community

[herkickz]

This is my hometown and every time we visit it looks worse and worse. Moved away when I was 11 and visit ever so often every couple years or so. So sad to see a once booming town destroyed by carelessness, crime and abandonment. Thank you so much for doing this video.

[maryam]

Thank you. You are brave, Sir. I was born and raised in this area, and I'm not even brave enough to drive through there. Thank you for giving me the ability to see it again. And I appreciate the fact that you didn't trash-talk the place like many others do. Thank you for the history and the perspective.

[ellen]

I’m 64 years old and grew up in the St Louis area. You are very brave to drive around East St Louis. I have to admit, I’ve never been over there. Thank you for the tour.

[catlover]

Your videos are always great. No matter where you are, you always make it so interesting, and it's much appreciated. I love the old postcards at the beginning. Thanks so much, and stay safe out there !!😊💕

[alexandralovesgoats]

What a sobering video. I think it’s interesting the city was able to tear down the dilapidated homes but unable to dismantle the Spivy. I have no doubt you were being watched! Appreciate you showing us this city. Have a wonderful weekend.

[jay_rubyx]

The fact that you found a dumpster fire in East St Louis makes this video 10X better 🤣🤣

[helmscm]

My great, great uncle Frank Holten was a state legislator from East St. Louis. He was elected in 1916 and served 48 years in the Illinois General Assembly. There is a Frank Holten State recreation area, a state park named after him. My father was born in East St. Louis. I visited St. Louis Missouri 3-4 years ago and was told NOT to go to visit the park or go to East St. Louis. I wanted to see where my dad grew up and visit the court house where my G G Uncle Frank served, but was told by everyone NOT to go there for fear of bodily harm. I was so disappointed to be so close, but too afraid to go there. I am so sad that there exists places in our country that so unsafe for people to visit or even try to live. This video is the only way for me to see the city. Thanks for this. Cathy Holten

[JayJay]

So sad to see the old buildings decaying.

There just seems to be an atmosphere of dread around the place. I can see why with the history and such.

Thank you for sharing this Joe. Enjoying watching from the U.K.

[christinesullivan]

I grew up in South St. Louis. Never did we venture into E. St. Louis. But what beautiful old buildings. It's a real shame they sit empty and are crumbling. Thank you for showing me a place I grew up so close to but never saw.

[b_altmann]

In East Germany you were able to see things like that in the early 90s. Luckily not half as dangerous, so you were able to investigate and also make illustrations. I had a look in some abandoned buildings, one of them a villa. But then, a few years later, an architecture firm had bought and completely renovated it. That was nice to see.

[jennylynn]

Loving the emphasis on learning and understanding as a supplement to the adventure! Your channel is a true diamond in this labyrinth! Wishing you and your lovely wife and family the best as you all grow and explore and allow us to ride along! 🙏🏻😊

[AbleArcher]

I remember a time when Clark Griswold and his family mistakenly took the wrong exit here on the way to Wally World. It almost turned into an entirely different movie.

[buffyaquaponic]

Graduated from East Side High in 1959. I remember going to the Majestic theatre. Went to a Drive Inn called Price's. Best burger in town. It was a very different town then.

[Sileff]

You are very brave to be driving around East St Louis. Thanks for taking the risk to show us what is left. Be safe!