The light in the wintertime at about 4 PM is beautiful. These are some pictures from the other day at our farm.
Mesker Brother’s Building Facades
The Mesker Brothers were based in St. Louis and manufactured iron storefronts for buildings across the nation. They did most of the iron storefronts that you see on Laclede's Landing. Today I was driving through Eolia, MO in Pike County and stopped by a store. I noticed that this storefront was also built by Mesker Brothers.
Below is from the Illinois Historic Preservation Committee:
Many Main Street commercial buildings of the late 1800s and early 1900s reflect the widespread availability of mass-produced building parts, which ranged from individual components to entire building facades. While prefabricated architectural elements were available from a number of manufacturers, no other companies better exemplify this niche than the Mesker Brothers Iron Works of St. Louis, Missouri, and George L. Mesker Company of Evansville, Indiana. They specialized in ornamental sheet-metal facades and cast iron storefront components, which were ordered through catalogs and easily shipped by rail to any interested building owner. Their extensive product lines not only featured embossed sheet-metal panels and cast iron but also entire storefront assemblies, as well as tin ceilings, fences, skylights, and freight elevators.
“Meskers”, as they are called, are found across America. However, because the companies were based in the Midwest, they are particularly plentiful in Illinois and are part of the state’s rich architectural history. Made of galvanized steel and cast iron, these durable facades often survive, despite the occasional neglect and lack of maintenance. While not all buildings may feature elaborate sheet metal facades, individual building components, such as cornices and window hoods, are quite common throughout the state, especially in smaller communities. If your town has a Mesker facade, we would like to know about it. The goal of our ever-expanding Illinois database (PDF file) and this website is to recognize the historic significance of the Mesker companies in the shaping of our downtowns’ architectural fabric.
121 N Seventh Street. Louisiana, MO Former Methodist Episcopal Church FOR SALE
Live and work in this incredible space. Currently used as a residence. Use your imagination and convert this to a living space plus art studio, gallery, theatre, dance hall or whatever you choose. This converted 1868 church is located in one of the most beautiful Mississippi River towns in Missouri. Also once used as the City Hall for Louisiana. Large garage in lower level. Great loft upstairs. Lower, 1st and 2nd floor baths. In move in condition. Be different and live adventurously!
$137,000
http://thischurch.canbyours.com/
Listed by Ted Wight, Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty, 314-607-5555 tedwight@aol.com
Day After Thanksgiving
The day after Thanksgiving we traveled up from St. Louis to put up some some real estate signs on properties I have for sale in Louisiana, lunch at The Eagle's Nest and then off to our farm for leftovers! It was such a beautiful day in the mid-60's. The leaves are gone, though the rolling hills of Pike County are beautiful in their bareness. A few of us surveyed our fields to see the progress of the re-fencing and water spot project. It is impressive…..we may be ready to buy cattle this Spring. The "kids" had fun shooting clay pigeons. So much more fun than sitting in a basement playing video games.
Best of Rural Missouri- Readers Choice Awards 2012
Okay Pikers…it is time to get some Pike County attractions recognized. Please vote for your favorite Pike County attraction HERE
Fun Rural Town Historic Storefront- 403 Georgia Street, Louisiana, MO FOR SALE
This is a fun opportunity to buy a historic storefront in the charming Mississippi river town of Louisiana. The building dates to 1879 and for many years was a saloon. In the 30’s the storefront was converted to be Maxfield’s Department Store. The exterior has original vitrolite facing from the 30’s and the Maxfield’s neon sign. The interior is fun, coffee-house chic. Pieces have been salvaged and repurposed throughout the structure. This space would be an ideal bar, coffee house, restaurant or retail space. There is ample living space above the storefront for the owner to live. New electrical systems and plumbing. Be different and adventurous!
$59,900
Listed by Ted Wight and Nancy Hereford, Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty, 314-725-0009
Super Cool! 102 and 110 North Water Street, Louisiana, MO Buildings FOR SALE
110 N Water Street
Louisiana, MO 63353
Imagine living in a loft building right on the Mississippi….it really is in your front yard! High enough not to flood. This is an old city water treatment plant building. Cool and quirky! Wait until your friends and family see your fun loft. Rare opportunity to live stylishly in a unique structure. The space can also be used for a commercial space. Be different!
http://waterstreet.canbyours.com/
Listed by Ted Wight, Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty, 314-607-5555, tedwight@aol.com
102 N Water Street
Louisiana, MO 63353
Right on the Mississippi….it really is in your front yard! High enough not to flood. This is an old city water treatment plant complex complete with two tanks and attached buildings. Cool and quirky! One metal tank has been configured as a dynamic retail/office space. The other tank is a fun outdoor space that feels like you are in the middle of a contemporary sculpture. Living and office space attached. The structure could be a cool bar/restaurant, retail space, office space or a lofty living space. This is a rare opportunity to own a unique building that has a “wow” impact. Be different!
http://waterstreet.canbyours.com/
Listed by Ted Wight, Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty, 314-607-5555, tedwight@aol.com
Historic Pike County Hill-top Home
This week I was up in Pike County traveling up Highway D to Louisiana and saw this house from the distance. Now that the leaves are falling, you can see some of the grand historic homes of Pike County better. This home has lovely panoramic views of the countryside.
and there is something about driving down a gravel road in Pike County!
where I stumbled across this other historic home….
2005 Georgia Street, Louisiana, Missouri FOR SALE
Historic home built in 1895 by Frank Buffum of Lacrosse Lumber. Located on one the most lovely small-town streets in the Midwest, this home is perfect in every way. This home has had many updates, though retains all of its old-world elegance. The 33’ x 20’ main parlor is gorgeous with its extensive, hand-carved paneling suitable for a lumber baron. The large Dining Room is bright & gracious. Wait until you see the new, gourmet kitchen complete with granite counters, high-end stainless steel appliances & plenty of custom cabinets. The kitchen features a walk-in pantry & separate butler’s pantry with built-in Bird’s Eye maple cupboards. 3 lovely bedrooms are on the 1st floor & 2.5 baths. Large 1st floor laundry room. 10’+ ceilings. Hardwood floors throughout the 1st fl. Dramatic 2nd floor with a large recreation area, upper loft, 2 bedrooms & a full bath. 2 car carriage house that features the original stables & an upper, unfinished living area. All new electrical & AC.
$325,000
http://2005georgia.canbyours.com/
Listed by Ted Wight, Dielmann Sothebys International Realty, 314-607-5555, tedwight@aol.com
A Weekend Gathering @ The Farmhouse
November is upon us and I always race this time of year to finish projects at our farmhouse. I have all of the porch floors painted and our staircase….maybe a little wood work will get painted before the house gets put to sleep for the winter.
I am happy with the outcome of pulling all of the yews and other bushes out of the front of the house. You will see that most houses of this period did not have heavy foundation planting. Foundation planting with yews became popular in the 50's….this is when foundations were made of poured concrete and people wanted to hide them. Older houses have lovely brick or stone foundations….why hide them!
I really do not entertain much at our farmhouse. It is just so much work to clean the house and get it in tip top shape for guests….city people do not understand a few spider webs and lady bugs all over the house. Though after it is all done….it is worth it. The best thing it does is to force me to finish projects. Earlier this Spring I had the house on tour for St. Louis' Landmark's Association Pike County Ramble Tour. This motivated me to redo a bedroom that was in pretty bad shape…complete with a wallpaper border coming down and a heavily cracked ceiling. Now is is so pretty! Over the weekend I had ten people stay at the house overnight. The house has 5 legitimate beds….so couches and air mattresses made nice sleeping arrangements for the overflow. What a lovely night…we had the fireplace ablaze and also the fire-pit going outside! Games, good food and wine made the evening memorable. Sunday morning we started with a nice country breakfast followed by a long walk on our farm. The afternoon was spent shopping in Clarksville and lunch at Overlook Farm's restaurant.
For breakfast Bobby made the most delicious item…. he cooked up sausage and added it to scrambled eggs….then split biscuits and put a spoonful of the mixture on-top of the uncooked biscuit….I think they were cooked at 350 until brown….try it ….they were easy and crowd-pleasers!
A walk helped burn off the hearty breakfast.