All Entries Tagged With: "historic houses"
North County Deco Landmark on the market soon…
I don’t know the price yet and the listing isn’t even active, so I won’t divulge the address of this classic North County home… yet. But needless to say, if you’re an architecture buff in St. Louis, particularly a fan of modernism, you are probably familiar with this streamlined gem.
I was actually inside the house about 15 years ago, during an estate sale where I bought a lighted 3D photo of a German Shepherd. Not sure why. All that’s important is that I’m headed back inside again (with the realtor) and I’ll be sure to share the photos with you! From what I saw of the exterior recently, neglect has not been kind to the masonry, but there’s still so much character to work with here. And a good deal of land. More info soon….
FloTown retailer gives an old house new life
Generations Antique Mall recently expanded to a new location in Old Town Florissant - the beautiful Henry Albers house on rue St. Catherine
Why buy typical chain-store gifts when you can shop local and find something unique? NOCO contributor Annie Haarmann says one of the best places to shop this holiday season is right here in NoCo – at the newly relocated Generations Antique Mall in Old Town Florissant:
Stepping into Generations Antique Mall in Florissant transports you to a different era, or rather, several different eras. Whether you’re looking for a unique item to enhance your home or a special gift to spread the Christmas cheer this year, you can find it here.
Store owner Laura Schulze and her family, lifelong Florissant residents, have been antiquing for more than 18 years. They decided three years ago to open an antique mall in Old Town Florissant, choosing a small storefront on rue St. Francois, but they recently moved into the Henry Albers house, a charming, 1860s dwelling on St. Catherine that formerly housed the Fleur De Lis Tea House.
“The 150-year-old house has a lot of character and serves as the perfect place to showcase beautiful antiques,” Schulze says. “And the former owner, Kitty Smith, still maintains the gorgeous gardens outside.”
Schulze recommends instead of standing in line at the big box stores or fighting for a parking spot at the mall, shop locally and pick up a truly unique vintage gift. “Most of the time, items made in the 1960s and older are better quality, will last longer and are more valuable,” she explains. “Vintage gifts are the best way to go for Christmas, weddings and birthdays. Antiques tend to hold their value.”
Her mall features 35 different merchants who display their own pieces. “Because we have so many different vendors, there is a wide variety of items and you can see a lot in one location,” explains Schulze. Most of the exhibitors are local to the area.
“Shopping here isn’t like running into the store for something you have to buy like shampoo. It’s more of a fun, feel-good experience. There is something for everybody,” says Schulze.
With so many antique stores in the St. Louis area, what keeps people coming back to this gem in North County? “One thing we offer that people really like is our ‘Wish List’ of items people want. Someone will say, ‘My grandma had such and such when I was a kid and I’d love to get a hold of one.’ If they’re looking for something in particular, we keep an eye out for it and when we find it, we let them know we have one.”
And of course, there’s the shop’s co-manager, Daisy, a four-year-old Boston Terrier. “A lot of people come just to see Daisy,” says Schulze. Daisy makes sure the shop runs smoothly and takes care of day-to-day operations such as inventory, bookkeeping and being adorable.
So this year, before you study the Thanksgiving ads or stand in line at 5 a.m. waiting for the stores to open, why not check out Generations Antique Mall? The antiques passed on from one generation to the next are truly the gifts that keep on giving.
Generations Antique Mall is located at 250 rue St. Catherine, 63031. Phone: (314) 831-6070 Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10-5
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Annie Haarmann is a writer, marketing guru and aspiring farmer who lives in Old Town Florissant and writes one very funny blog. She also photographed all of the images for this story.
Florissant House Tour scheduled for Nov 28
The lovely Dr. Millman House at 693 Lafayette is one of 12 historic buildings featured on Historic Florissant's upcoming Christmas house tour.
If you’re looking for an excuse to attend Historic Florissant’s 2010 Christmas house tour, I have one very good reason to buy a ticket: Casa Alverez.
One of five private residences featured this year, the beautiful French Colonial home was built around 1794 for the king of Spain’s military storekeeper, Eugenio Alverez, and it offers a rare chance to see “poteaux sur sole” (or vertical log) construction. It also happens to be the second oldest house in St. Louis…and that includes county and city!
Taille de Noyer, located on the McCluer High School campus, is just slightly older but only Casa Alverez remains on its original site. And it still has a cistern! In other words, don’t miss the opportunity to visit this amazing historic gem!
A side view of Casa Alverez, with the oldest part of the house to the left
Also worth a look are the four other vintage houses on the tour: the delightful Joseph Peters House (c.1912), the Dr. John Millman House (c.1887), the recently renovated Louisa Garrett House (c.1853), and an adorable 1920s bungalow on rue St. Marie. Among the non-residential offerings are seven buildings: the log cabin at Tower Court Park, the old Wiethaupt General Store (now Dooley’s), Union Church, Hendel’s Market Cafe, Albers Mercantile (now Stems), the St. Stanislaus Museum, and the Franz Gittemeier House, current home of Historic Florissant.
You can actually buy tickets at that last stop – 1067 Dunn Road. They’re $10 each and also available at Korte’s and Dooley’s in Old Town Florissant. The tour itself is Sunday, November 28, from 2-6pm, and your ticket includes a coupon for free wine at Hendel’s! For more info, call (314) 921-7055 or email historicflo@aol.com.
The Louisa Garrett House at 280 Washington
The Joseph Peters House at 990 rue St. Francois
The Larimore House: NoCo’s very own plantation
History runs deep at the Larimore House in Spanish Lake, an 1850s Italianate mansion and former plantation that's now rented out for special events.
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?” Well, now I know, and so will you. NOCO contributor Jo Batzer takes us on a tour of one of the grandest historic homes in North County, the Larimore House Plantation…
Hollywood has led us to believe that grand plantation homes exist only in the Deep South. But as with most Hollywood stereotypes, that just isn’t true. In fact, North County boasts its own authentic plantation home – the historic Larimore House, which once sat at the heart of a farm called the Midwest’s “premier agricultural showcase.”
In 1850, Wilson Larimore moved from Kentucky to the area north of St. Louis now known as Spanish Lake. He farmed 2,000 acres there using the latest technology of the day – the steam engine tractor – and by 1858, he had also constructed the exquisite home that still stands on his property today. It’s one of the finest examples of early Italianate architecture in the metro area.
Most of Larimore’s original acreage has long since been sold off, but what remains gives a romantic glimpse back to what life was like on a real working farm in the mid-19th century. Back then, Larimore was considered one of the most innovative and productive farmers in the region, using mechanical farming equipment that was then a new concept. In 1866, he even won prestigious awards for “best improved and most highly cultivated farm” from the St. Louis Agricultural and Mechanical Association and “Model Farm of Missouri” by the Missouri Agricultural Society. It was a very big deal.
Using just 500 acres, in 1850, Larimore yielded 4,000 bushels of corn, along with large amounts of hay, rye, sweet potatoes, grass seed, beeswax and honey. He also had least 300 sheep and 150 pigs roaming his farm, as well as sixteen slaves working it.
By 1878, Larimore sold his farm and moved to the city of St. Louis with his sons, eventually dying in 1887. Around the turn of the century, his property was purchased by the Penningroth family, who sold off most of the land and used the house as a summer home for nearly 100 years.
By the time Rick and Carole Bovey bought the Larimore plantation in 1989, it was down to just 5.5 acres and in need of serious TLC. They restored the house and revived the landscape to its former glory, ultimately transforming it into a full-service destination for weddings and other events. Today, their son Allen and his wife, Dena, run the business and maintain the historic home, welcoming thousands of visitors every year.
The picturesque gardens surrounding the house are landscaped with photo shoots in mind. The large, mature oak and maple trees give a shady, old-world feel to the grounds. Original out-buildings dot the property, including a smoke house, water well and solid brick outhouse. The tranquil, historic atmosphere bids you to slow down, to relax, even stroll.
But there’s new life too – a large koi pond and stream cut across the east lawn complete with gazebo and bridge. Between the house and Wedding Center is a beautiful multi-tiered fountain that serves as an elegant focal point. A popular photo spot is the old-fashioned tree swing hanging from one of the mature black walnuts.
All four seasons are beautiful at Larimore House Plantation, inside and out. Holiday decorations adorn the chapel and reception site during December, along with a 15-foot Christmas tree gracing the house. Spring and fall are particularly lovely on the grounds, according to Allen. Fall has its palette of golden colors with a carpet of fallen leaves and, in spring, dogwoods in bloom share the spotlight with peonies, hydrangeas and, of course, brides.
A carved, marble gazebo is the focal point of the south lawn area where outdoor ceremonies are held. The home’s second floor balcony provides a stunning view over this area and its formal circular plantings of impatiens, ivy and monkey grass. Two large spiral junipers flank the gazebo, while large potted palms and ferns provide a neutral yet elegant background that complements any wedding color scheme.
All of this beauty and elegance are not without work, however. Allen and Dena put in approximately two full days every week doing maintenance like mowing, leaf pickup and dead-heading. Then throw in the occasional storm damage. After the destructive 2006 storms left much of North County without power for days, the Bovey’s still managed to pull off the scheduled weddings with the aid of generators (and the Spanish Lake Fire Department on call!). It was a true sign of their dedication, considering they had to also clean up the debris from an enormous fallen silver maple that cut across one drive and destroyed the family van!
In 1989, the Larimore Plantation was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1996, the site was named an official Landmark and Preservation Area by Saint Louis County. These days, the house and grounds are more gorgeous than ever, still heavy with a sense of history but thoughtfully updated to accommodate modern conveniences. No doubt Wilson Larimore would be very pleased.
Larimore House Plantation is located at 11475 Lilac, 63138. For more info, call (314) 868-8009.
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Jo Batzer has lived in North County most of her life and is excited to be a part of the NOCO team. She has worked in the horticulture and florist industries for over 25 years and is the garden leader at Twillman House Community Garden. Jo lives and gardens in the Spanish Lake area with her husband, two sons and two dogs.
Are you getting ready for the big day? NOCO is a proud sponsor of the 3rd annual Live Well Ferguson 5K