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UER Forum > US: Great Lakes > St. Louis? (Viewed 5698 times)
crows 


Location: Eastern Iowa
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Il est interdit de faire smashy smash

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St. Louis?
< on 3/20/2014 4:21 AM >
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So, my partner and I were in Chattanooga visiting friends and family over the weekend and thus passed through the city of St. Louis twice . We didn't have much of an opportunity to stop either time, let alone time to do good research and get a feel for things, but it looked like there was loads of really... really abandoned stuff down there off the highway, and in general that's some place close enough that we could plan a trip back without it being an enormous travel undertaking.

I ran a few searches on my local friendly urban exploration website (ahem), and it sounds like people have had some pretty bad experiences down there. I'm talking about the greater area, I'm not familiar enough with the city composition to tell you whether what we were peering at from 70mph was in St. Louis proper or East St. Louis or what, but there was a great and expansive concentration of rust, crumbling brick, and broken windows.

I'm not a deeply experienced urban explorer and I'd guess I play my dice on the slightly safer side of the bell curve, down here. There's not going to be any climbing cranes or bungeeing down smokestacks, and probably not any climbing over barbed wire, either, at this point in my life. I'd also like to, you know, not die, as a general rule. Naturally, these reports give me a bit of pause.

So, what's the deal, y'all? Is it worthwhile if adequate time can be given to a reasonable degree of caution, or should I just disabuse myself of the notion and move on? How has St. Louis treated you guys that have been?

edit to fix my stupid redundant face.




[last edit 3/20/2014 4:24 AM by crows - edited 1 times]

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Dalmaticus 


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Re: St. Louis?
< Reply # 1 on 3/20/2014 5:04 AM >
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I was there recently, as were several others from around here.

We were in the city proper....usually within a reasonable distance to the river. Response times were above average. Maybe we just had a bad weekend, maybe not.

We literally had done nothing more than walk around the perimeter of an area on a city street or park a car when we noticed we were being watched. I'm sure we looked slightly out of place (off hours and all)...but nothing crazy. No harm, no foul. Just be careful.

A few other MSP people ran in to some bad apples. Sounded like there was a near mugging. Maybe they can elaborate further.

I had a ton of fun...but it seems like it can be a little rough.



[last edit 3/20/2014 5:08 AM by Dalmaticus - edited 1 times]

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Captain Stormy 


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Re: St. Louis?
< Reply # 2 on 3/20/2014 2:01 PM >
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Posted by Dalmaticus


A few other MSP people ran in to some bad apples. Sounded like there was a near mugging. Maybe they can elaborate further.





Some guy asked to borrow a lighter. I thought it was a bad move, but Poopsmyth gave him one. He then proceeded to talk about how he was packing, flashed a huge wad of cash, and said he was "going over there to buy some "cigarettes"" if we wanted him to pick some up for us. Fucking weird guy, looked super strung out. No idea what his deal was. Might have been trying to rob us, might have been trying to sell us a firearm, might have been trying to sell us drugs, might have just been really nervous about the pickup he was about to do. Whatever was going on, it was way more illegal than what we were doing.




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crows 


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Il est interdit de faire smashy smash

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Re: St. Louis?
< Reply # 3 on 3/20/2014 3:47 PM >
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So... Not only is there plenty to explore, but there's lots of good shopping in the area as well. Roger that.




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cdevon 


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Re: St. Louis?
< Reply # 4 on 3/20/2014 6:08 PM >
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I know nothing of this "St. Louis" place you speak of....

but there is plenty of good shopping.




When I say I'm 'clean and sober', it means I've showered and I'm headed to the liquor store.
SubLunar 


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Re: St. Louis?
< Reply # 5 on 3/20/2014 8:24 PM >
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Posted by Captain Stormy



Some guy asked to borrow a lighter. I thought it was a bad move, but Poopsmyth gave him one. He then proceeded to talk about how he was packing, flashed a huge wad of cash, and said he was "going over there to buy some "cigarettes"" if we wanted him to pick some up for us. Fucking weird guy, looked super strung out. No idea what his deal was. Might have been trying to rob us, might have been trying to sell us a firearm, might have been trying to sell us drugs, might have just been really nervous about the pickup he was about to do. Whatever was going on, it was way more illegal than what we were doing.




yeah that dude was totally fucking sketched out. Dark circles around his eyes. Didn't like him at all... I know hindsight is 20/20 but I always try to, respectfully, turn down even innocent sounding requests like that. Sorry, no lighter here, sir.




SubLunar 


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Re: St. Louis?
< Reply # 6 on 3/20/2014 8:28 PM >
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Posted by crows

So, what's the deal, y'all? Is it worthwhile if adequate time can be given to a reasonable degree of caution, or should I just disabuse myself of the notion and move on? How has St. Louis treated you guys that have been?




I tend to stick to daylight exploring for reasons of photography but I guess it's a little safer that way too. I've been poking Saint Louis' nether-regions for some time now and have had a lot of close calls and weird encounters. Just be cautious.

There's lots of random abandoned warehouses and stuff if that's your thing then you should have no shortage. But the good stuff is increasingly hard to find these days. And the taggers have been shitting their wares profusely as of late...





northstar1208 


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Re: St. Louis?
< Reply # 7 on 4/7/2014 7:00 PM >
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Was just in St. Louis and all I have to say is I'll be back visiting there soon!




kenfagerdotcom 


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Re: St. Louis?
< Reply # 8 on 4/7/2014 7:28 PM >
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I went down to East St. Louis with a friend a few years ago. If you're out in the daylight you may be approached by some of the local characters. Bring a pack of cigarettes (even if you don't smoke), a lighter, and some loose change. I also bring small single serving bottles of booze if I really need to distract someone.

I think its really important to also smile and be ready to shake hands with people. People will tell you a lot of useful information if you show them that 1) you're not here to take advantage of them and 2) you're genuinely interested in the reality of their surroundings.

That worked especially well in the encampment of homeless people down by the river, not far from the arch. A lot of homeless cons and vets were shacked up there. St. Louis has a lot to offer, just be prepared to deal with whatever.




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redox 


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Re: St. Louis?
< Reply # 9 on 4/12/2014 2:15 AM >
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best thing to do is to be muggin' back at them..






"The process of delving into the black abyss is to me the keenest form of fascination." -H.P. Lovecraft
oh-ten 


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Re: St. Louis?
< Reply # 10 on 4/18/2014 6:19 AM >
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Strangely appropriate since they finally made training attack dogs in public parks illegal in St. Louis in 2013.

I lived there for 6 years and explored probably 40 locations in the region. Know your personal level of unease and stick to it. That being said, like anywhere situations are fluid and can end up unexpectedly. I got surrounded by homeless guys in an underground tunnel and ended up being invited to a thanksgiving dinner, but some years later a low-key explore of a factory turned former charter school ended up by getting chased out by methheads who may have been cooking on the upper levels. Most people I knew living there knew at least one person who was a victim of armed robbery or mugging, but I actually found the desolate places to be safer.

Since I moved on I think something like 10 locations have been lost, but there's still plenty of amazing places from churches to factories to hospitals if you're careful and diligent.

AFAIK these are all still waiting for explorers

1.


2.


3.


4.




[last edit 4/18/2014 6:20 AM by oh-ten - edited 1 times]

Esoterik 


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Re: St. Louis?
< Reply # 11 on 4/18/2014 6:29 PM >
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Was with a large group in 2009, went all over city, great fun and no one had any issues (that I heard about).



[last edit 4/18/2014 6:30 PM by Esoterik - edited 1 times]

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Wolfram 


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Re: St. Louis?
< Reply # 12 on 12/8/2014 9:28 PM >
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Just signed on this website, but I've been looking for some intel on possible places to go in St. Louis for a while. Personally I'd rather have a guide from here, someone who understands the area and possible 'issues' that may arise.

If anyone here is still in STL and willing to help out a fellow explorer I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm only looking for the experience and to get some pictures if I'm reasonably sure my camera won't get stolen.

Thanks!
-Nick




SubLunar 


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Re: St. Louis?
< Reply # 13 on 12/10/2014 3:25 PM >
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Greetings!

pm'd



[last edit 12/10/2014 3:26 PM by SubLunar - edited 1 times]

Slim Jim 

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Re: St. Louis?
< Reply # 14 on 12/11/2014 12:48 AM >
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There's next to nothing to explore in St. Louis. It's too new. Not enough history.




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cdevon 


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Re: St. Louis?
< Reply # 15 on 12/11/2014 5:18 AM >
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wut?

this castle is clearly from the middle.... um 2000's or so...








When I say I'm 'clean and sober', it means I've showered and I'm headed to the liquor store.
DundahMifflin 


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Re: St. Louis?
< Reply # 16 on 1/27/2015 2:46 AM >
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Posted by Slim Jim
There's next to nothing to explore in St. Louis. It's too new. Not enough history.


wat

St. Louis is like a never-ending pot of things to explore.




Impfac 


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Re: St. Louis?
< Reply # 17 on 1/27/2015 5:08 AM >
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East St. Louis is a dangerous toilet, the rape and murder per capita capital of the US, St. Louis isn't so bad. I'd be careful in East St. Louis for sure.




DJ Craig 

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Re: St. Louis?
< Reply # 18 on 1/27/2015 5:12 AM >
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East St Louis is one of the scariest ghettos I've ever been to. And I've been to a LOT of bad ghettos.




"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..." -Dr. Suess
Impfac 


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Re: St. Louis?
< Reply # 19 on 1/28/2015 4:02 AM >
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Posted by DJ Craig
East St Louis is one of the scariest ghettos I've ever been to. And I've been to a LOT of bad ghettos.


I stopped at a stop sign in a deserted/burned down part of town with my wife sleeping in the back seat. I was looking around, and suddenly a hooker-a nasty, dirty, ragged hooker-was sticking her face in the passenger side window asking if I wanted a date. I pointed to my wife and said maybe later.

She must have thought I'd murdered her, because she took off without a word with a wild, terrified look in her eyes.

I also noticed every time I drove by any people were sitting on the porch, they would watch my car and get up and start walking toward the car.

Too bad, there was some amazing shit there.




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