Update: I revisited the house above in the winter of 2023 (second photo).

Then, as we approached West Florissant Avenue, we hit a patch of wood frame houses, including several that are in the Italianate style.

As I’ve said many times before, there had to have been some sort of industry out in the countryside, back in the 1860s or 70s, that necessitated the building of a small cluster of houses for the workers in that company.

Common industries were rock quarries, but also there were orchards, such as the Ville, and also dairy farms such as in the Penrose neighborhood.

It’s always interesting, in that many of these are in excellent condition, and maintained with pride by their owners.

I’m teaching a two week class on March 26 and April 2 at OASIS Clayton about the history of brewing in St. Louis. Breweries I’ll be discussing will include Anheuser-Busch, Lemp, Falstaff and others. To sign up, click here and search for class #141.