All Entries Tagged With: "historic houses"
The Larimore House: NoCo’s very own plantation
When I was kid growing up near Spanish Lake, I remember seeing the Larimore House peeking out from behind a vast thicket of trees. A weathered old gem that seemed to hold some kind of secret, it always fired up my Nancy Drew fantasies and made me wonder, “What in the world IS that place?” [...]
My NoCo Neighborhood: Spanish Lake
Spanish Lake, the historic North County community bounded by the Missouri River and the great Mississippi, is probably one of the most interesting areas in St. Louis County. Parts of it feel almost unchanged from decades past, with wide, rolling farm fields and quaint old storefronts. Other parts, especially the classic mid-century subdivisions and the [...]
423 Tiffin: one crazy cheap Ferguson Victorian
Given the blood, sweat and tears I’ve put into my own house, I can’t imagine someone simply packing up and abandoning their home. But that’s what thousands of Americans are doing these days, faced with rising debts and declining property values. In 2009, nearly one-third of those who faced foreclosure simply walked away. I know, [...]
Newer homes shine in upcoming Florissant House Tour
If you’re hoping to view some of Old Town Florissant’s historic gems during the Florissant Valley Historical Society House Tour, you might be a bit disappointed. The oldest home on this year’s tour dates from 1951. But don’t despair! Seven local homeowners are swinging open their doors, and from what I can tell, the tour [...]
Minoma: the lost treasure of Northwoods
For the thousands of drivers who speed down Highway 70 every day, the tiny city of Northwoods is but a blip on the landscape. Home to 4,600 residents, including St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, this charming community filled with 1930s & 40s bungalows is often lumped in as just another North County neighborhood past [...]
A Bargain Gem in Old Ferguson West: 429 Wesley
These days, I get a lot of emails from people asking my advice on North County real estate – what neighborhoods I recommend, which houses are true bargains, and where would I consider investing myself. I usually plug a handful of different areas in NoCo (because there are so many amazing houses out there!) but [...]
A vintage bargain for sale: 714 N. Florissant
One of the perks of the poor economy (if you choose to look at the bright side) is the opportunity to buy real estate for incredible prices. Sellers are often desperate. Banks are swimming in foreclosed properties. And lo and behold, treasures like this are bound to pop up… An amazing 1928 brick farmhouse sitting [...]
St. Stanislaus Museum: preserving NoCo’s frontier history
It’s a hard life to imagine these days – building your own home, growing all your own food, and doing so in a vast wilderness populated by natives who may or may not want you there. That was the life of early Jesuit missionaries who arrived in North County in 1823, intent on sharing Christianity [...]
It’s Holiday House Tour time in NoCo
If you’re like me, every time you drive through Old Town Florissant, you look at the beautiful old houses and think, “I wonder what that one looks like inside.” Now we all can find out. This Sunday, November 29, Historic Florissant Inc. is hosting its annual Christmas House Tour, and the tour is the biggest [...]
Bargain Victorian: 231 St. Louis Ave
UPDATED, 1:55pm: If you’ve ever looked with wonder at Ferguson’s gorgeous old houses, dreaming of the day when you can buy and restore a vintage property of your own, have I got a deal for you! The cute little Victorian that sits right next to the Ferguson post office is for sale, and the price [...]
History for Sale: the Henry Albers house
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 [...]
Locations in Florissant,
Chesterfield & West Port
Sept 4 "R" Pizza Farm Grilled Pizza Demo 10am, Buy a Bag For the Hungry Day 8am - 12pm, to benefit Operation Food Search, a St. Louis food bank that distributes food to poor & hungry. While you're shopping, buy an extra bag for this worthy cause. Live Music - Dixie Rhythm Kings 9-11am. ALSO 45+ vendors!
Saturdays 8am-2pm in the 2500 block of Woodson Road