History for Sale: the Henry Albers house

Located at 250 rue St. Catherine, this National Register home in Old Town Florissant home is ready for a new owner - residential or commercial.

In a community as old as Florissant, finding the balance between historic preservation and modern progress is always a challenge. Land is sold, new buildings are erected, things change. But hopefully, a little slice of history can be maintained.

That’s the case with the Henry Albers house, a circa-1860-70 National Register property that still radiates historic charm, despite being nearly gobbled up by newer development all around it. Also known as the Tebeau house, the quaint brick dwelling was built in classic Missouri German style and still retains many of its original features. Unfortunately, its surrounding property has changed dramatically over the years.

Where there used to be an orchard and a grape arbor is now a post-war bungalow. And on the land where there once stood an outhouse, a chicken house, a garage and a well now rests a parking lot for a bank.

With only two neighbors, including a bank, the Henry Albers house actually feels like a private oasis. Across the street from it is a cute little park.

In 1998, as the bank was being built, the Albers house was almost demolished. Thankfully, Historic Florissant, Inc. stepped in, bought and restored the building (with the help of Scott and Jane McClurg), and sold it to a preservation-minded buyer, Kitty Smith.

Smith thought the house would make a wonderful tea room, and for a while it did. She installed colorful garden beds all around the property and built a tranquil courtyard in the rear. She also updated the electrical and plumbing systems and added parking spaces near the street, allowing the house to serve as a commercial site.

Today, it’s on the market for sale or lease, and Smith is hoping to find a buyer/tenant who either wants to live in the house or use it for a commercial operation. In my opinion, the place is best suited to a low-traffic service business, like a lawyer’s office, an architectural firm, or perhaps a massage and wellness center.

Given the zoning, it could even serve as a unique live/work/exhibit space for an artist. The rooms are bright and spacious, and that lovely courtyard would be great for hosting a small art show.

But hey, that’s just what I see. Decide for yourself on November 29th, when the Henry Albers house will be one of fifteen local landmarks featured on Historic Florissant’s annual “Christmas in Old Florissant” house tour – the biggest tour ever! Get your tickets for just $10 at 1067 Dunn Rd, or along along rue St. Francois at Dooley’s, Korte’s, Village of the Blue Rose or the Silver Moon Stencil Shop.

Just don’t blame me when you get a sudden, overwhelming urge to buy a 140-year-old house!

Henry Albers was a successful merchant who sold shoes, fabric and other dry goods out of his store at 305 rue St. Francois. His family occupied the house on St. Catherine from roughly 1877 to 1943.

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