County of building: St. Charles County
Location of building: N 5th St., 3rd house S of Morgan St., W side, St. Charles
Built: 1911
Architect/Builder: Unknown
Architectural Style: Colonial Revival
Original Occupant: Lafrenier Chavin Emmons
Historic District Map
Marker Text:
1911
815 N. Fifth
1830 - Part of
Nathan Boone's survey of the Commons.
1837 -
Andrew Wilson leased this and other land from Morgan to Seventh.
1870 - This block sold to
Henry Holtforester and
Herman H. Schaberg.
1911 -
Mary Schaberg, widow of
Herman, subdivided the northeast section of the lot into three
parcels from here to Morgan.
1911 -
Lafrenier "Chavin" Emmons, a single person, purchased this lot. He was the son of
Benjamin
Emmons, early St. Charles historian.
1911 - This home was built by
Chavin for his bride,
Edith R. Emmons. They had one child,
Chavin, Jr.
This is a usual example of a Craftsman Bungalow. The proch roof, the principle roof, and the
dormer roof have a slight tilt and give a pagoda like appearance. Elements of the past designs
appear in the use of the transom, the bay window, the double-hung, narrow windows. The
original porch had square craftsman-like columns and plain balusters. It was replaced with the
Greek Revival columns and turned balusters.
1920 -
Mr. Chavin Emmons died in 1914 and the house remained with his widow until sold to
Charles
F. Gatsweller ans his wife
Florence. They were early owners of automobile dealerships in St.
Charles on Main Street and later Clay. First was Chevrolet and Oldsmobile and later Nash, Star
and Durant.
1949 - The property was sold to
Anton Luetkenhaus and his wife
Theresa. He was a carpenter.
1967 -
Reva E. Thompson purchased this home and completed the renovations to preserve
the historic appearance while updating with modern conveniences.
Reva was a Gemologist,
Talented Artist, and a carpenter.
"Built: 1911
Style/Design: Colonial Revival
According to the County’s tax parcels database and a plaque in the front yard, the house was built in 1911. The plaque indicates that
Lafrenier Chavin Emmons built the house for his bride, Edith. Mr. Emmons died in 1914 and his widow sold the house in 1920 to Charles and Florence Gatsweiler. They owned automobile dealerships in St. Charles on Main Street and later Clay (First Capitol Drive). In 1949 the property was sold to Alton and Theresa Lutkenhaus, and he was a carpenter.
"The house is situated on a narrow 40’x140’ lot that is elevated above the public sidewalk that extends along the front of the property. Flower beds are planted on the front hillside, and a concrete sidewalk with stairway having six steps leads to the gallery. A hardwood tree is at the southeast corner of the lot, and the rear yard is enclosed with a wood privacy fence. At the rear of the lot is a two-car garage with concrete foundation, walls of vertical board panels, and a medium-pitched, front-gabled roof. The multi-panel metal overhead door on the west façade opens onto the alley. The garage was built in 1992 and is noncontributing." ~ St. Charles Historic Survey Phase IV, PDF pages 72-75