When Old Friends Come to Call

Our landscape architecture firm is located in an old Victorian home, built before 1900. Recently a couple of people have stopped by asking to see the house as they knew one of the previous homeowners. Emmett and Rose Fitzgerald lived in the home from at least 1940...

Ladies’ Home Journal House Plans

Did you know that the Ladies’ Home Journal began publishing house plans in the magazine beginning in 1895? Edward Bok, editor-in-chief of the magazine wanted to offer readers professional architects’ plans for simple, attractive, suburban homes that could be built for...

Using Addresses to Research House History

While working with the Webster Groves Historical Society on an upcoming World War I exhibit, I was asked to do some research on a house located at 9504 Big Bend Road in Crestwood, just west of Webster Groves. The house reportedly belonged to the son of Christopher...

Research House History through Mechanic’s Liens

Mechanic’s liens can be a useful tool in researching the history of your house. What is a mechanic’s lien? It is a security interest in the title of a piece of property for the benefit of those who have supplied labor or materials that improve the property. Mechanic’s...