Update: See another Italianate villa that was demolished a block away.
Dating from 1848, this old Italianate farmhouse, like others throughout the city, was later surrounded by the rest of Tower Grove East; its fate continues to lie in limbo.
A Blog detailing the beauty of St. Louis architecture and the buildup of residue-or character-that accumulates over the course of time.
Update: See another Italianate villa that was demolished a block away.
Dating from 1848, this old Italianate farmhouse, like others throughout the city, was later surrounded by the rest of Tower Grove East; its fate continues to lie in limbo.
Hmmm…I thought that double-headed eagle looked familiar: http://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?_adv_prop=image&fr=goodsearch-yhsif&va=two+headed+eagle+emblem
I originally thought is was the symbol of the Russian Empire (pre-revolution, of course). But apparently this one doesn’t have the crowns, which would peg this as being Imperial iconography. However, it is used, sans crowns, on Russian Federation coinage. Further confusing the matter is that it is also a Masonic symbol. Personally, I’m going with Mason on this one.
It seems someone is working to re-lay the tile roof (which probably isn’t the original roofing, considering the age of the house; most likely it was slate), so that’s a good sign. Unless this scaffolding has been there for…who knows how long. (I’ve seen that a few times in the City: scaffolding still present after many years; the big house with the turret on S Kings’way, across from TGP, is the most notorious amongst these). The joints on the brick seem to be fairly sound, plus, if one looks carefully, the paint on the cornice seems to be fairly new, as it still has its shiny patina. Someone is giving this old girl some love, if perhaps slowly. Love these old Italianate farm houses. And that one linked to…swooooooon! Gorgeous!
Very interesting! I snapped a photo of this house last month after noticing a carriage stone out front with the name “Bowman” on it. http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasa/8557568987/in/set-72157631662576482/
I must be blind, as I didn’t notice that amazing hitching post. I assume the Bowmans owned the house at some point.
The hitching post the follows the photo I linked was in the CWE, but ironically there is an identical one a block from this house at Louisiana and Sidney.
man, what a gorgeous house. The older it is, the tighter is must be held onto!