East Saint Louis is a city of about 50,000 people, 98% African-American. Once a bustling industrial town and rail center, its industries dried up in the 1960's as cheaper labor and better living were found elsewhere, especially for the meat-packing and chemical industries. At one time it had the highest number (per capita) of millionaires living in an American city. Today it is busted, with many abandoned homes and overgrown lots some still looking as grand works (especially the gothic style).