West End in St. Louis, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Elizabeth Keckley

Born February 1818

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 22, 2019

1. Elizabeth Keckley Marker

Inscription. Brought to St. Louis in 1847 by her slave owners, Elizabeth Keckley honed her skills as a dressmaker and was able to buy her freedom in 1855. She moved to Washington D.C. in 1860, cultivated an elite clientele, and became the personal dressmaker and confidante of First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. In 1862 Keckley founded the Contraband Relief Association to provide assistance to recently freed slaves and wounded soldiers. Her 1868 memoir "Behind the Scenes, or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House," is one of the best accounts of the Lincolns' private life, and offers a powerful narrative of Elizabeth Keckley's struggle from slavery to freedom.

Erected by St. Louis Walk of Fame.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce • Women. In addition, it is included in the Missouri, St. Louis Walk of Fame series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.

Location. 38° 39.327′ N, 90° 17.906′ W. Marker is in St. Louis, Missouri. It is in West End. It is on Delmar Boulevard east of North Skinker

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Boulevard, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6167 Delmar Blvd, Saint Louis MO 63112, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Henry Hampton (a few steps from this marker); Donny Hathaway (a few steps from this marker); Jon Hamm (a few steps from this marker); T Bone Burnett (within shouting distance of this marker); Jenifer Lewis (within shouting distance of this marker); Cedric the Entertainer (within shouting distance of this marker); Max Starkloff (within shouting distance of this marker); Andy Cohen (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Louis.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 457 times since then and 10 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on April 29, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.