A Little Bit of History
By Clara E. Scott
The story this week will be on the Benjamin L. Emmons Home located at 1201 North Fifth Street in St. Charles.
The home is situated on one of the highest of “the little hills” and provides a glorious view of the Missouri River. Emmons Abstract No. 352 shows that in 1831, the property consisted of four acres. June 1 of that year, Augustus Dorlac was granted a 999-year lease of $70.00 per year to farm the four-acre property. By August 20, 1838, the land had increased in value to $176.00 when Basille Pallardee and his wife, Annie purchased the tract. They erected a one-story, four-room house with three fireplaces here. The house had a glass front door with sidelights of beautiful red, blue, and green Siegel glass.
In the early 1900’s, the property was subdivided and Ben L. Emmons, the noted local historian, acquired the home and a lot measuring 98 x 170 for a consideration of $1,800. Emmons added a front porch, side entrance, and four rooms in 1902. Interior walls that were 13 inches thick reportedly impeded remodeling. A Grand Hall measuring 6’ x 30’ runs through the main floor. Original small glass windows remain. Since 1960, the Henry Jadrich family has resided there.
Note: Henry Jadrich is a past president of the St. Charles County Historical Society.
(Information on this article obtained from McElhiney’s Guidebook to Historic St. Charles, Missouri, dated 1992, with the permission of the author, Richard G. Sperandio, grandson of Edna McElhiney Olson).
