The house I first documented back in September 2014 was sadly destroyed by fire on October 22. Shockingly, when we went by to examine the ruins, there was nothing left but a pile of rubble. Investigations of Sanborn Fire Insurance maps revealed the house, which was extremely old, perhaps the 1860s but definitely at least from the 1870s, possessed walls that were only two wythes thick, so between the fire and the water pressure from firefighters’ hoses, the resulting complete collapse is in hindsight not surprising. The brick just looks soft, like it predated later high-temperature kiln-fired brick.

But it is a tremendous loss. Research by Instagrammer Speedhumpme revealed that this was the residence and office of Pinkie Toney, a woman African American undertaker and employee of the St. Louis Coroner’s Office. She was a fascinating figure and you can read all about her at the link above.