Lerwick notes that despite the large square-footage of the house, it is obvious it was constructed for a childless family. Lerwick, the Browns took in a two-year-old foster son who they later adopted. For example, around the same time as the Browns' home was built, architect Theodore Link-who also designed Union Station-built a home in the newer French Renaissance–style just east of Portland Place.Īt first, just George Warren Brown, his wife Bettie Bofinger Brown, and George’s mother lived in the six-bed, eight-bath limestone home. Lerwick, especially compared to newer styles being built in the area. When the Brown home was being built in 1897, the Richardson Romanesque Revival look was going out of style. Louis buildings, including churches and homes. Bonsack had earned his reputation after working as the general contractor for the Bell Telephone Building on Olive Street. George Warren Brown hired notable architect Frederick Bonsack to build his Richardson Romanesque Revival–style home. After Desnoyers retired, the name was changed to Brown Shoe Company. The factory was successful, and the company rapidly expanded to western parts of the country.īy 1881, the company incorporated as Bryan-Brown Shoe Company.
Louis shoe factory so they could sell shoes locally at a lower cost. Brown, Bryan, and Desnoyers started the first St. Louis had been shipped from manufacturers located in eastern United States. Lerwick.īrown, along with two other investors, Alvin Bryan and Jerome Desnoyers, founded Bryan, Brown & Company in 1878. “Our family has spent 56 years at 40 Portland Place, and we have treasured all the history and the wonderful privilege it is to live in such an historic and unique place,” says E.R. She provided us with some insights into the home's history. Lerwick’s late husband purchased the estate in 1961, and her family is the fourth to own the estate during its 120-year history. Lerwick, the current homeowner of the property, has extensively researched the home and collected memorabilia related to the property. In 1897, George Warren Brown, the founder of Brown Shoe Company, participated in the development boom by building his dream home at 40 Portland Place.Į.R. Improvements were made to the city’s water supply, parkland was cleared, and surrounding neighborhoods were built. Portland and Westmoreland Places became popular locations for wealthy residents to build homes. By 1888, preparation for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, or St. Louis hosting an event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase in 1904 was sweeping through the city.
0 kommentar(er)
