Draft:St. Ferdinand Central Historic District

The St. Ferdinand Central Historic District, in the city of Florissant in St. Louis County, Missouri, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

It is the older section of Florissant, and is dominated by the Sacred Heart complex which occupies the high point in Florissant. The Sacred Heart complex separates the district from more modern areas. It includes the Archambault House, which was previously NRHP-listed.

The district includes seven city blocks and parts of 11 others, and it lies entirely within the Florissant Old Town Historic District, a local preservation planning district designated in 1969.

It includes brick commercial buildings in "Missouri French" and vernacular commercial style. Most of its residences are in "Missouri French" and Classical Revival-derivative styles.



Is Sacred Heart separately listed, or in a different HD?

Sacred Heat Convent is the oldest building in Florissant? It is in the Shrine HD and in this HD?

"Plan 4" is site plan of St. Ferdinand's Shrine Historic District, page 182 of MRA doc.

"Plan 5" is site plan of this HD. It is at page 184 of the MRA document.

<!--- Especially notable examples of several styles will be highlighted below with an *. \District #2 - St. Ferdinand Central Historic District: This district is located within 7 city blocks and parts of 11 others just to the northwest of the center of the Multiple Resource Area with its boundaries delineated as follows: The area enclosed by a line which begins at the center point on SE side of Block 25, Old Town, and proceeds NE, 160' to corner, crosses Rue St. Francois and continues along SE side of Block 21, Old Town for 240', turns to SE and crosses Lafayette Street and continues 160' into Block 22, Old Town, turns NE and continues 80' to Rue St. Louis, turns NW and runs along NE side of Block 22, Old Town 160' to corner, turns NE and crosses Rue St. Louis and continues along NW side of Block 14, New Town for 57', turns SE for 160', turns NE for 103', turns NW for 160' to Lafayette Street, crosses Lafayette Street to SE side of Block 13, New Town, turns NE and runs 160' to corner, runs NW along NE side of Block 13, New Town for 263', turns NE and crosses Rue St. Denis and continues 131' into Block 12, New Town, turns NW for 57' to Jefferson Street, turns NE and runs 29' along NW side of Block 12, New Town, turns NW, crosses Jefferson Street and continues 105' into Block 10, Old Town, turns SW for 160' to Rue St. Denis, crosses Rue St. Denis, turns NW and runs 215' along NE side of Block 11, Old Town to Rue St. Jacques, crosses Rue St. Jacques at its former location and continues NW 228' along NE side of Block 12, Old Town, turns NE, crosses Rue St. Denis and continues 74' into Block 9, Old Town turns NW and runs 92' to Rue St. Jean, turns SW and runs along NW side of Block 9, Old Town 74' to corner, crosses Rue St. Denis and continues along NW side of Block 12, Old Town, for 160', turns NW and crosses Rue St. Jean and continues 320' bisecting Block 13, Old Town, to Rue St. Pierre turns SW and continues along NW side of Block 13, Old Town 160' to corner, turns NW and crosses Rue St. Pierre and continues 160' along SW side of Block 14, Old Town 160', turns NE for 160', NW for 57', then SW for 160' to Rue St. Louis, crosses Rue St. Louis and turns SE for 57' along NE side of Block 17, Old Town, turns SW and continues into Block 17, Old Town for 160', turns NW for 160' to Rue St. Ferdinand, turns SW and continues along Block 17 160' to corner, crosses Rue St. Francois to Block 29, Old Town and runs along NW side of Block 29 to SW 160' turns to SE and bisects Block 29 to Rue St. Pierre, crosses Rue St. Pierre, bisects Block 28, Old Town to Rue St. Jean, turns NE for 160' running along SE side of Block 28 to corner, crosses Rue St. Francois turns SE, crosses Rue St. Jean and continues 80' along SW side of Block 19, Old Town, turns to NE for 160.5', turns to SW for 30', turns to NE for 160.5', to Rue St. Louis, continues along NE side of Block 19, Old Town for 210' to corner, turns to SW and turns along SE side of Block 19, Old Town for 321' to corner, turns to SE, crosses Rue St. Jacques, continues 321' along SW side of Block 20, Old Town 320' to Jefferson Street, crosses Jefferson Street, continues 114' along SW side of Block 21, Old Town, turns to SW and crosses Rue St. Francois and continues 160.5' into Block 25, Old Town, turns SE and runs 207' through center of Block 25 to Lafayette Street and beginning point. In four instances these boundaries are extended from the core to include individual properties at 401 Rue St. Denis, 249 Rue St. Louis, 760 Lafayette and 649 Lafayette. Inclusion of these properties within the boundaries of this district can be justified not only by the character of their architectural natures, which is homogeneous with the district as a whole, but also by the situations of the each of these buildings on its property. Each faces and visually relates to at least one of the three focal areas of the district, the Sacred Heart Church complex on Jefferson Street, (Block 11, Old Town), the residential area on Rue St. Louis and the commercial neighborhood on Rue St. Francois. Due to its situation at the highest geographical point in the area. Sacred Heart Church, its spire and the trees and grounds surrounding them dominate the Central District and firmly separate this older section of Florissant from its modern surroundings. Missouri German and Vernacular Commercial, both in brick, are popular styles here for commercial structures while Missouri French and Neoclassical derivatives in frame form the bulk of the residential structures. Especially notable examples of several styles will be highlighted below with an *. --->

Buildings in the district include:


 * Archambault House (denoted #27 on Plan 5), which was previously listed on the National Register
 * Moynihan House or Moynihan House (Florissant, Missouri)?? (1890, denoted #24 on Plan 5), 401 St. Denis. Thrice-expanded Missouri French frame structure.
 * Hendel's Market (1873, #26), 599 St. Denis. "This Federal style grocery with front portico assumed its present character in 1888 when it was enlarged to its present size. It holds a prominent position in the district due to its proximity to the Sacred Heart complex (36, 37, 38 and 39) to southwest and the Archambault House (27) immediately to the southeast. Two small non-contributing sheds are located to the rear of the lot.
 * "30. Tricamo House, 249 St. Louis, ca. 1900. This vernacular frame house bears the minimum of classical detailing in its entablature window heads and its gabled roof. A small non-contributing shed is to the rear." [Add more from Historic Inventory: Tricamo House]
 * "31. Brand House, 305 St. Louis, ca. 1845. This frame house, though covered with modern siding, bears remnants of its former Greek Revival glory in its pedimented gable with return, its cornice modillions and its transomed and side lighted main entrance. A small non-contributing shed is to the rear.
 * "32. Henke House, 385 St. Louis, ca. 1860. One of the finest Greek Revival examples in the area, in spite of its recent treatment with composition siding, this frame house boasts the finest cornice modillions in town."
 * "33. William Timme House, 389 St. Louis, 1928. This substantial bungalow in brick contributes to the cohesion of the district and helps illustrate its temporal continuity. A non-contributing two-car garage is to the rear."
 * "34. Laramie House, 405 St. Louis, ca. 1880. This frame house has a classical flavor with its central gable and its entablature window heads. Further embellishment includes its Eastlake porch woodwork and its patterned and painted porch base. A non-contributing shed is located to the rear of the lot." [Add more from Historic Inventory: Laramie House]
 * "35. Bippen House, 410 St. Denis, 1925. This frame house in the Missouri French style is one of several included to show the continuity of this style throughout the history of Florissant architecture. A small non-contributing shed is located to the rear.
 * "36. Sacred Heart Rectory, 751 Jefferson, 1924. This vernacular structure in brick is part of the Sacred Heart complex which forms one of the focal points in the district. Its.quaint style, punctuated by lighter stone details, windows grouped in three's and a tripartite extended bay on its primary facade, is vaguely reminiscent of the English country architecture of the English architect, Richard Norman Shaw."
 * "37. Sacred Heart Convent, 751 Jefferson, 1904. This brick building combines characteristics of the Missouri German style with Gothic Revival detailing in the central gable and porch woodwork on the primary facade.
 * "38. Sacred Heart Church, 751 Jefferson, 1893. This Gothic Revival church in brick is the most substantial architectural example in the area and forms the major focal point around which the rest of the Central District seems to revolve.
 * "39. Herz Jesu Schule, 751 Jefferson, 1889. This brick building is another fine example of Missouri German architecture. It mirrors the style of the Sacred Heart Convent to the southwest and, with it, balances the block's appearance.
 * "40. Griese House, 700 Jefferson, 1858. This fine example of Missouri German architecture in brick has recently been remodeled into apartments. It has had several additions made to the rear, and the entrance and first floor windows have been altered on the primary facade. A non-contributing garage is located to the rear."
 * "41. Foeller House, 750 Jefferson, 1930. This substantial brick bungalow sits across the street from the Sacred Heart Complex. It contributes to the tranquil residential nature of the area and is architecturally in tune with the other brick buildings in the area. A non-contributing garage is located to the rear." [Add more from Historic Inventory: Foeller House]
 * "42. Knobbe House, 771 Lafayette, 1925. This frame bungalow exhibits characteristics in tune with the Missouri French architecture of the district and can be considered a contributing structure. A non-contributing shed is located to the rear.
 * "43. Anthony Timme House, 741 Lafayette, 1936. This cottage bungalow in brick and its matching garage contribute to the character of the neighborhood. It is of a fairly recent type common in Florissant, though it is the only example to be cited in this survey. A small non-contributing shed is located to the rear."
 * "44. Wesling House, 701 Lafayette, 1918. This frame box exhibits classical detailing only in the area of its pilastered porch. It is one of the most substantial residences in the district. A small non-contributing shed is located to the rear and a larger non-contributing garage is to the northeast." [Add more from Historic Inventory: Wesling House]
 * "45. Kienstra House, 760 Lafayette, ca. 1810. This horizontal log house with clapboard surface treatment assumed its Missouri French character around the turn of the century when the front porch was built and other additions were made. A small non-contributing shed is located to the rear."
 * "51. Albers House, 606 St. Ferdinand, 1890. This vernacular frame house exhibits classical detailing in its entablature window heads and in the grouped columns on its front porch. Two small, non-contributing sheds are located to the rear.
 * "52. Waelfle Store, 221 St. Francois, 1910. This parapeted, brick, commercial vernacular building is highlighted by a central gable with label stops and a pseudo-oeil de boeuf. The section to the northwest was added in 1930.
 * "53. Cozort Store, 225 St. Francois, 1867. This small, frame vernacular commercial building is the oldest structure of this type in the district.
 * "54. Weidinger House, 297 St. Francois, 1900. This building was probably constructed in a vernacular style, but it has been remodeled with the addition of composition stone to something resembling a bungalow.
 * "55. Weidinger's Tavern, 297 St. Francois, 1900. This commercial vernacular building was constructed with Weidinger House (54) and altered in the same manner at the same time.
 * "56. Kenow House, 659 St. Pierre, ca. 1870. This simple vernacular house contributes to the character of the area because of its age and is characteristic of the working class architecture of the town.
 * "57. Nemnich House, 667 St. Pierre, 1865 (southwest portion), 1882 (northeast portion). This Greek Revival example in brick was originally constructed as a single family dwelling and now serves as a duplex. Its style is revealed in its gable with return and in the modillions which line its cornice and which are now hidden beneath modern boxing. A small, non-contributinq shed is located to the rear.
 * "58. Raymond Aubuchon House and Barn, 290 St. Louis, 1897. This vernacular frame building with its vaguely classical moldings and simple portico porch survives with its barn and provides a glimpse of the usual lot arrangement of Florissant's former agricultural era.
 * "59. B. and J. Sheet Metal building, 301 St. Francois, 1885. This fine example of Missouri German architecture in brick was constructed as a combination residence and store. The present storefront was added in 1953 but is harmonious with the structure.
 * "60. Laramie's Store, 307 St. Francois, 1930. This brick, vernacular commercial storefront now forms a significant addition to the commercial area on St. Francois in spite of its relatively recent date.
 * "61. Young Woman's Christian Association (LeHoullier Building), 315 St. Francois, 1886. This brick vernacular commercial building originally opened onto St. Francois. It has been altered and a large addition stretches to the northeast, but in its central location it still adds significantly to the district.
 * "62. Montaigne House, 306 St. Louis, 1857. This brick house was originally built with only one story and had vaguely classical details which caused i t to resemble the Otto Ripple Agency (77). It assumed its present size and Federal style around 1900"! A small, non-contributing shed is located to the rear.
 * "63. Ebbesmeyer House, 380 St. Louis, ca. 1880. This vernacular frame house recalls distant classical influences with its three gables and its spindle colonnaded porch. A small, non-contributing shed is located to the rear.
 * "64. Garrett House, 406 St. Louis, 1890. This vernacular frame house features classical detailing in its Ionic portico porch. Only its central core is original construction. A small non-contributing shed is located to the rear.
 * "65. Schiermeier House, 405 St. Francois, 1890. This frame vernacular house features classical detailing in its entablature window heads and in its gable with return. It was remodeled in 1954 into a two family dwelling. A small, non-contributing shed is located to the rear.
 * "66. Matthews House, 674 St. Jacques, 1920. This stucco-on-frame bungalow is a contributing structure to the district. Two small, non-contributing sheds are located to the rear.
 * "67. Aubuchon-Herbst House, 657 Jefferson, 1790. This is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Florissant and features poteaux sur sole construction. It has been altered, but its construction is still clearly visible in several places on the interior. A small, non-contributing shed is located to the rear.
 * "68. Weishaar House, 653 Jefferson, 1924. This frame bungalow is located in the Sacred Heart area and is a contributing building to the district. A small, noncontributing shed is located to the rear.
 * "69. Behlmann House, 649 Jefferson, 1928. This brick bungalow is located in the Sacred Heart area and is a contributing building to the district.
 * "70. Fleck's, 601-607 Jefferson, 1904. This Missouri German, brick commercial building was altered on its main facade in 1960.
 * "71. Kohuen Law Office, 650 Jefferson, 1915. This exceptional frame bungalow is surfaced with clapboards and stucco. It has had minimal interior alterations. A small, non-contributing shed is located to the rear.
 * "72. Florissant Police Station Annex, 619 St. Francois, 1870. This simple, Romanesque Revival building features round arched windows and a denticulated cornice. The addition for the fire department to the southeast was built in 1919 in the same style. Further addition to the rear were made later.
 * "73. Millman House and Barn, 693 Lafayette, 1887. The central gable and open portico porch give this vernacular frame house a classical favor. A simple vernacular barn is to the rear along with a small, non-contributing shed. A frame addition to the northeast has a shallow mansard roof.
 * "74. Millman House, 649 Lafayette, 1885. This simple vernacular frame house gains a classical feel from its central gable, though the vergeboard on that gable, the spindle porch columns and the scalloped apron on the porch roof derive from another inspiration. A small non-contributing shed is to the rear.
 * "75. Florissant Valley Reporter Building, 699 St. Francois, 1905. This brick building was originally constructed in a commercial vernauclar style and was altered to its present classically derivative appearance in 1926.
 * "76. Crets House, 694 Lafayette, 1912. This later frame version of the Missouri French style had part of its porch closed off in 1937. A small, non-contributing shed is to the rear.
 * "80. Groth Auto Parts, 200 St. Francois, 1940. This is the most recent building to be included in the district, but its Art Moderne style is unique in the area and it contributes to the commercial area on St. Francois. It is constructed of yellow and maroon glazed brick and originally served as a service station.
 * "81. DeLisle Building and Park, 298 St. Francois, 1880. This commercial vernacular building was originally constructed as a saloon and restaurant. A small park with picnic tables stretches to the sides and rear of the property.
 * "82. Schuler Building, 302-304 St. Francois, 1908 (northwest half) and 1922. This simple commercial vernacular building with its stylistically similar addition adds significantly to the commercial district on St. Francois.
 * "83. Schuler House, 306 St. Francois, 1904. This vernacular frame house shows classical affinities with its returned gables and heavy modillioned cornice. Its tiny size blends well with its neighbor to the southeast, the Stephan House (84).
 * "84. Stephan House, 310 St. Francois, 1909. This simple vernacular frame house features classically inspired entablature window heads and a spindled porch.
 * "85. Roy's Barber Shop and Residence, 320-326 St. Francois, 1915. This vernacular frame building has as its only feature its central gable which gives a vaguely classical feeling.
 * "86. Spangler Pest Control, 330 St. Francois, 1907. This frame box has been considerably altered in recent years but it continues to add to the character of the commercial area of St. Francois. A non-contributing garage is to the rear.
 * "88. [[Doll's House]{, 620 St. Francois, 1905. This frame commercial vernacular building had an addition to its rear in 1945.
 * "89. Faith Fellowship Church, 646 St. Francois, 1890-1895. This rectangular, one story, frame meeting house has recently been painted and somewhat altered. Its original classically derived style is revealed, however, in the pedimented lintels over the louvered panels in the helm-roofed steeple and in its entablature window heads.
 * "90. Wiethaupt Store, 650 St. Francois, 1880. This Missouri German example in brick was originally constructed in a simple vernacular style and was given its present form around the turn of the century. It has a small harmonious addition to the rear and a fine old frame shed with a stone foundation to the rear of the lot."

In 1970s the area of St. Ferdinand was assessed for its historic resources, leading to the listing in 1979 of this district and many other houses, buildings, and historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places.

An NRHP nomination for a significantly larger district (running from Coldwater Creek to Aubuchon St., and from Rue St. Marie to Rue St. Michael) was draft in 1974, but was replaced by the 1979 MRA delineating the St. Ferdinand Central Historic District and the St. Ferdinand's Shrine Historic District, and identifying numerous individual properties.