East St. Louis, Illinois

East St. Louis is a city located in St. Clair County, Illinois, USA, directly across the Mississippi River from Saint Louis, Missouri. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 31,542.

History

Several destructive tornadoes have hit East St. Louis, the deadliest being the St. Louis-East St. Louis Tornado of 1896 which killed at least 255, injured over 1000, and incurred an estimated $2.9 billion in damages (1997 USD).

Related Topics:
St. Louis-East St. Louis Tornado - 1896

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The East St. Louis Riots of 1917

East St. Louis in 1917 had a strong economy boosted by World War I ? in response, many African Americans were recruited to work at the Aluminum Ore Company and the American Steel Company. However, resentment on the part of whites planted fear of job security in the population, which eventually manifested itself in rumors of black men and white women fraternizing at a labor meeting on May 28. Immediately, 3000 people had rushed downtown, beating every African American in sight ? they destroyed buildings and beat people, but nobody was killed. The National Guard was called in, which prevented further rioting, but rumors continued to circulate about an organized attack from the blacks.

Related Topics:
1917 - World War I - Aluminum Ore Company - American Steel Company - Rumor - May 28 - National Guard

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On July 1, a black man shot his white attacker, which was retaliated with a drive-by shooting. When police came to investigate, the African American who had been attacked returned fire, thinking them to be the attackers from before. The next morning, thousands of white spectators who saw the bloodstained automobile marched to the black section of town and started rioting. After cutting the hoses of the fire department, the rioters burned entire sections of the city, shooting the inhabitants as they escaped the flames. Claiming that "Southern niggers deserve a genuine lynching,"1 they hung several blacks. Guardsmen were called in, but several accounts reported that they joined in the rioting rather than stopping it. Everyone joined in including "ten or fifteen young girls about 18 years old, chased a negro woman at the Relay Depot at about 5 o'clock. The girls were brandishing clubs and calling upon the men to kill the woman."2

Related Topics:
July 1 - 1

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See also: Saint Louis, Missouri

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Famous people

Tennis legend Jimmy Connors was born in East St. Louis, but grew up in nearby Belleville. Actually, Jimmy Connors lived on Lake Drive, near Frank Holten State Park for years. His parents moved to Belleville AFTER Connors was living on his own and establishing himself as one of the great stars of the tennis world. Connors' father was a toll-taker on the Veterans Bridge now called the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Bridge.

Related Topics:
Tennis - Jimmy Connors - Belleville - Veterans Bridge - Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Bridge

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Track legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee was born and raised in East St. Louis. Also, current Illinois Senator and Democratic Whip Richard Durbin is a native of East St. Louis.

Related Topics:
Track - Jackie Joyner-Kersee - Richard Durbin

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Jazz legend Miles Davis was born in Alton but grew up here. Cardinal Ritter College Prep Alumnus, Montrece Lyons, also resides there. Blues legends Albert King and B.B. King also have ties to the city.

Related Topics:
Miles Davis - Albert King - B.B. King

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NFL Former NFL All-Pro Tight-end Kellen Winslow was born in St. Louis, but raised in East St. Louis.

Related Topics:
NFL - Kellen Winslow

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Poet-laurate Eugene Redmond is a native of East St. Louis.

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Josephine Baker After surviving the 1917 race riots in East St. Louis, she ran away at 13 to dance in vaudeville, on Broadway and eventually with the Folies Bergre in Paris where she became one of the best-known entertainers in Europe. During World War II she gathered intelligence for the French Resistance.

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Katherine Dunham A dancer, choreographer, anthropologist and author, she introduced U.S. and European audiences to Caribbean- and African-based dance movements.

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Lillian Gish One of the great silent screen stars, she was nominated for an Oscar in 1946 for "Duel in the Sun" and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute in 1984.

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Reginald Hudlin Screenwriter and director of "House Party" in 1990, he has since directed "Serving Sara," and "The Ladies Man."

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Tina Turner Born Anna Mae Bullock, this Grammy-winning R&B singer, known for her powerful vocals and athletic dancing, met Ike Turner in 1956 at the Club Manhattan in East St. Louis, joined his band and married him.

Related Topics:
Tina Turner - Ike Turner

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