County of building: Saint Charles County
Location of structure: S 7th St. & Jefferson St., NE corner, Behind funeral home, St. Charles
Built: 1885
Architect: Unknown
Architectural Style: Richardson Romanesque
Original Occupant: John Atkinson
Map
"Our company had a humble beginning in 1935 when Arthur C. Baue, then active in funeral service in St. Louis, and Clarence Hackmann, who was well known throughout St. Charles, rented a large residence at 326 N. Sixth St. It was here they opened Hackmann-Baue Funeral Home.
"In 1948, the two men purchased the beautiful Salvater home at 620 Jefferson St. After Mr. Hackmann’s death in 1949, Arthur Baue became sole owner and president of the Baue Funeral Home.
"The home on Jefferson served as the Baue family home for many years. Funeral services were conducted on the first floor and the family’s living quarters were upstairs. The stately Victorian home on Jefferson Street has become a landmark in St. Charles. A large chapel and additional rooms were added in the 1960’s to accommodate the growing population of St. Charles.
"Today our St. Charles funeral home includes a large chapel with seating for more than 175. This chapel is ideal for larger services, with the ability to open into an overflow room. Services can be audio and/or video taped. Professional musicians can be secured or musical CD’s are available, as well as a video screen to enhance the service." ~ Baue Funeral Homes
"Built: 1885
Style/Design: Richardson Romanesque
This Richardsonian Romanesque house is pictured in the Field Guide to American Houses as a great example of the elaborate
Richardsonian Romanesque detailing found on this style, which is usually only found on larger homes like the old Salveter
residence (see the historic photo of the house when it was still being used by the Salveter family, prior to 1949 when Arthur C.
Baue purchased the property to serve as his residence and the business, a funeral home. He partnered with Clarence Hackmann
in his business venture and the business was originally known as the Hackmann-Baue Funeral Home. Besides being a great
example of the residential Richardsonian Romanesque style, the property is historically significant for its association with the
funeral home, the oldest operation still in service in the city of St. Charles, and an important addition to the neighborhood.
"Arthur Baue was extremely active in the local community, including being the founder of the St. Charles Salvation Army and one
of the charter members of the local Kiwanis. He died February 6, 1983 but this spirit of service to the community continues in the
business today. His son, David C. Baue joined the business in 1957 and had become president in 1968, but he died unexpectedly
in 1987. During his tenure the organization grew dramatically and they expanded the facilities of the operation at 620 Jefferson
and he purchased the historic Powell Residence at 608 Jefferson in 1968 to serve as the offices for their growing enterprise. He
also purchased the Dallmeyer Funeral Home in St. Charles in 1968, the Keithly-Davis Funeral Home in O’Fallon in 1980, and the
Stiefvater funeral Home in St. Peters in 1987. In 1964, he joined Fred Newman as owner of the St. Charles Memorial Gardens,
the leading cemetery in the county. He also believed strongly in the need for grief counseling services and established a resource
program, one of the most comprehensive programs in the Midwest, to offer support services as well as educational programs for
communities and professionals. Since 1979, David’s sister, Lisa A. Baue has been active in the family business and since 1979
she has served as the president of the Baue Funeral Homes and St. Charles Memorial Gardens." ~ St. Charles Historic Survey Phase I, PDF pages 299-306