I’ve long been fascinated with the long, shotgun wood frame houses scattered throughout all of St. Louis, largely because it seems that they’re sort of forgotten about. And I honestly think they were built as “temporary” houses, built out in the exurbs and country with that Nineteenth Century optimism that the burgeoning metropolis would eventually sweep them away. But they survive, though as my third trip back to the block of Kennerly Avenue just east of North Newstead Avenue in the Ville shows, they are becoming rarer and rarer, one by one.

While after each visit, the first in March of 2014 and then again in January of 2017, another house has disappeared, either due to fire or demolition, these two guys have held on, though the one on the right, to the east, might be not long for this world.

Why is there a snowscraper lying on the curb?

But not all hope is lost. A little further down the street there is one shotgun that is not only occupied, but also has a tasteful addition added on to the side.

Wandering around a bit, the shotguns turn to brick, as well. I like these little guys, as seen below, and they often have the kitchen in the basement.

Also, can shotguns be in a row house format? These three houses are located nearby. Sadly, I think they are abandoned.

Also, for example on Garfield Avenue, there is a house that made it to the point where someone installed some new siding, but it is abandoned now.

But on the east side of the Ville, these two are in great shape.