I wrote about this masterpiece in my article about the Compton Heights House Tour. Here are more photos of this amazing house on Longfellow.
A Blog detailing the beauty of St. Louis architecture and the buildup of residue-or character-that accumulates over the course of time.
I wrote about this masterpiece in my article about the Compton Heights House Tour. Here are more photos of this amazing house on Longfellow.
When was this built?
City of St. Louis lists 1903
Thanks for taking the time, Daniel. I was wondering how far pre-’04 it was. I was guessing late ’90s.
You were right. It’s 1897. The City of St. Louis website has the wrong date.
The property was bought in 1896, and the house was built in 1897 for Charles B. Dieckriede and his wife Emma Dieckriede, nee Minke. The architect was Ernst Janssen. The house was also featured in a 1901 Inland Architect journal, but misidentified as the home of Mr. Ready (someone must have misheard Dieckriede as Ready). I’m the 7th owner, or rather steward of the house.
Have the windows in this house been replaced with vinyl (or other replacement type)? It is odd that the windows in the turret are straight and not curved like the turret. Usually architects and builders matched the curvature of the windows with the turret. Manufacturers were only too happy to oblige, so curved windows could be bought stock without the custom millwork required today.
Good question. Historic images would tell us. And yes, curved windows are perfectly possible in a house of this stature.
Good eye, WW.
I believe there are storm windows over the original windows, look closely on the 2nd story of the tower.
No. All the windows all original. What you are seeing in the photo are the aluminun triple hung storm windows installed in the late 1960’s by the then owners Dick and Anne Herzog. The windows behind the storm windows are curved and have curved glass. All the window panes all through the house are also original from 1897. I myself don’t like the storm windows, but they definitely have helped preserve the original windows, and the triple hung design, though dated, is very very convenient. My heating and cooling bills are also rather low, considering the size and the age of the house.
Good to know that the original windows are still there. If the storms were painted to match the surrounding stonework, perhaps they would blend in better. That would certainly be a project, though.
It is a beautiful house. Thank you for being a good steward of it.
In person, they are rather close to in color to the terra cotta. I think that color was applied at the factory, and it’s unscathed after almost 50 years. I’ve looked for equally convenient but more attractive storm windows, and I’ve not found any as of yet.
to me, they look attractive enough, and unless you look close, you don’t really notice them. Preserving the original windows and original glass is of paramount importance to me, especially since the windows go up and down with your pinky finger after 120 years!
I have been unsuccessful at finding any information on this home’s architectural style and details, turrets/tower, roof line, and so on. Any information greatly appreciated….