Blog

Terry Turner came seemingly out of nowhere and purchased the Myers House, 180 Dunn Road, Florissant, at auction. All of the other bidders, whose plans included demolishing the historic residence, dropped out at $200,000 but Turner persevered and got the house for $210,000. Already he is making plans to breathe new life into the dwelling.

In 1867 John B. Myers of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, purchased 50 acres of land less than a mile south of the old French town of St. Ferdinand (now Florissant). According to probate records Myers had substantial land holdings in Calhoun County, Illinois. Myers was married to Adelaide Motten, a native of Alsace-Lorraine, and the couple had three children. Myers died in 1869, when only the foundations and framework for the upper stories of the house were finished. Mrs. Myers is credited with completing the construction following her husband’s plans.

The house is in the Classical Revival style of architecture and noted for its elaborate detailing (ornate, two-story portico and extensive interior wall treatments). Today, the house has survived in a relatively unaltered condition. However, in the 1970s when highway 170 was being joined to I-270, the house was scheduled for demolition to allow the construction.

A group of activists, including the legendary Florissant City Clerk Rosemary Staub Davison, rallied preservationist groups around the house to save it from destruction. In 1974 an agreement was struck between the preservationists, Historic Florissant in particular, and the Highway Department. Five women pooled enough money for Historic Florissant to buy the house and later the adjacent barn. It was nominated to the National Register of Historic Places as an example of the “Architecture” theme, and was added to the register on Aug. 25, 1977.

Attached to the deed for the property was an indenture creating the Myers House Commission. The three executive officers represent the Landmarks Association of Greater St. Louis, Historic Florissant Inc. and the Florissant Landmark Commission. No major changes can be made to the property, including razing it, without the agreement of two of the three commission members.

In 1986, Helen and Charles Argent bought the house and the barn. When Charles Argent died, his children wanted to sell the property, but the indenture surfaced. All buyers had to be made aware of the commission and their role in any major changes.

In 2015 the property was put up at auction. All potential buyers wanted to tear the house down, reasoning that the land was more valuable than the house. In stepped Terry Turner to save the house.

Turner has declared that he wants to preserve the house, but also seek added protection for it. He plans to create an apartment for himself on the second floor and has already brought in chairs to mark his personal territory. He has been hunting through archival material in Historic Florissant’s office and is making much needed repairs.

Myers house regulars such as Gretchen Crank and Nancy Quade are delighted with the new owner and enthusiastic about his ideas. Quade owns The Weaving Dept., a store that has been in the Myers house for about 30 years. She and her associates sell yarn and teach weaving, spinning, crocheting and knitting. Quade says the business plans to stay.

“It is absolutely amenable,” she said. “It is visible from the highway, and when people call and ask where we’re located, I tell them, and they immediately know where to go.”

Apparently there is more than business going on in the Myers house. Quade says, “Someone told me the shop has a soul.” And as every historic house should, th

ere is a ghost or presence in residence. “Mrs. Myers is what we call her. She responds positively and seems to like what we are doing,” Quade said. -Story by Elaine Steinborn with information from various sources

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us