Dufour-Rozier Building - 201 Merchant Street - Ste. Genevieve Historic District - Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 37° 58.796 W 090° 02.680
15S E 759569 N 4207710
Historic stone commercial building in the Ste. Genevieve Historic District in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.
Waymark Code: WM3ZHV
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 06/11/2008
Views: 9
"Dufour-Rozier Building. 201 Merchant Street. HABS No.: MO-1119. c.
1818. Property type: commercial building. The Dufour-Rozier Building is located
at the northwest corner of Second and Merchant Streets. A two-story, gabled
commercial block, it is constructed of well-dressed stone blocks. The main entry
to the building is centered on the south elevation, and the door is placed in a
deep reveal. A four-light transom surmounts this door. The entry is flanked by
two over two, double hung, sash windows, and three double hung windows are
placed in the wood shutters with iron strap hinges. The building is three bays
deep and these bays are delineated by two-over-two, double hung, sash windows.
Bars protect the first story windows. A boxed cornice marks the roof, and the
roof itself is sheathed in standing seam metal. A stone chimney adjoins the
north gable end.
The interior of the building has been subject to substantial alterations, and
the doors and windows have been replaced. The original vertical sawn cellar
joists and the original roof frame are intact. The roof frame is constructed of
coupled, vertical sawn rafters braced by collar beams, similar to that used in
the John Price House at Third and Market Streets. According to University of
Missouri researchers, the flooring in the attic may be original and consists of
wide, random width, vertical sawn lumber. The openings in the gable peak do not
appear to have ever had window sashes and may have been used to bring materials
in for storage in the attic.
Parfait Dufour, a resident of the Old Town, who moved to the new town with
its first settlers, originally owned this lot. In 1818, the building was
apparently erected by the trading firm of Keil, Bisch, and Roberts as an
office/warehouse. Edmund Roberts, the last remaining partner of the firm sold
the building to Senator Linn in 1831. Henry L. Rozier, Sr. later purchased it
for use as a bank building. An undated photograph in the collection of the
State Historical Society of Missouri shows the building during its use as a
bank. Bars covered the first story windows and a two-leaf metal gate provided
protection for the main door when the bank was closed."~
Historic District National Register Nomination Form
This building is included in two historic districts. It is listed as
the Antoine Parfait Dufour Building on the earlier
National Landmark Historic District with a construction date of
about 1790.