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This is one of only three surviving pre-Civil War residences in this
historic village, located 20 miles northeast of St. Louis. Completed in
1840, the L-shaped residence was built with 18-inch-wide walls, using
bricks made on the site. Decorative interior details were carved from
local hardwoods on the property. Nelson Montgomery was among the first
non-native settlers in this area and was renowned for his family’s horse
farm. The original 573-acre farm has been dramatically reduced in size
over the years; first by the railroads and, later, by residential
developments.
The house was purchased over 20 years ago by the current
owner, who has been a thoughtful steward, receiving a local award for his
careful cleaning of the exterior brickwork. The remaining nine acres are
now surrounded by a new subdivision. Although the village recognizes the
importance of the property, it does not have a preservation ordinance to
protect the house from demolition.
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