County of buildings: St. Charles County
Location of buildings: Main St., between Jackson St. & First Capitol Drive, St. Charles
Built: 1820
"Stone Row consists of two stone buildings forming a row, 2½ stories
in height, and fronting directly onto the sidewalk. The stone
buildings were formerly separated by a twenty foot space; through
this opening passed a drive giving access to the Missouri River
behind the building. In the space between the stone sections at
about the tine of the Civil War was built a 2½ story brick structure
(Ho. 322 South Main Street), similar in form and proportions to
the stone buildings on either side, but not included in this
National Register nomination form. The roof ridges run parallel
to the sidewalk, and the roof is broken by narrow dormer windows,
probably later additions.
"The north unit of the row was built by Thomas Lindsay, a Scotch
slave owner who lived above No. 318. The stonework of the north
and south units varies sufficiently to indicate that they were
built at different tines, or by different stone cutters and masons. Slave labor was used to construct the row. (Edna McElhiney Olson, correspondence with Missouri State Park Board, July 21, 1967.) Chimneys of the two units also differ, with connected double end
chimneys in the south unit and original end chimney in the north
unit projecting at the roof ridge.
"These buildings, dating from the early settlement of St. Charles,
are significant architecturally a d historically for their age
and degree of survival with original form and material largely intact. Visually the row forms an appealing group consistent
in form, scale and the use of materials. The historic importance
of the row is enhanced by the survival of several manuscript
documents relating to the earliest occupants; these are maintained
in a private St. Charles collection." ~ NRHP Nomination Form
Marker One Text:
STONE ROW
circa 1820
The Burlington stone used to construct these buildings were quarried from within this city block. Built by Thomas Lindsey, a founder of the first Presbyterian church in St. Charles.
Marker Two Text:
STONE BUILDING
circa 1820
Residence and business of Sir Walter Rice, served at various times as County Surveyor, Recorder of Deed, Justice of the Peace and Postmaster.
BRICK BUILDING
circa 1848
Original site of frame warehouse built by Elisa Jordan, circa 1837. Present structure was built by Melcior Thro, a French merchant.