The house has an impressive provenance and history. Architecturally, it is similar to hundreds of others built at the turn of the last century in American cities for prominent businessmen and their families. The columns near the wall with the window seem oddly placed, must have been a remodel at some time in the past.

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I don’t care for the would-be Colonial look at that spot either. I hope that the same architect did not draw up the plans for kitchen and bathroom renovations mentioned in the listing! In all seriousness, my first reaction is that someone remuddled for purposes of using the home as a place for weddings and receptions. I suspect taking that out would not be that difficult.

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John C Reply:
February 29th, 2012 at 3:17 pm

If indeed the mirror (flanked by the sconces) in that room is from the St. Louis World’s Fair 1904, then the whole room — incluiding the column end and the sconce-flanked pocket doors begins to make some sense as a change done by Sutherkand in classical/beaux-art style to fit the mirror at or shortly after the Fair. Since Sutherland was a contractor-builder, his ending up with salvage from the Fair makes some sense.

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According to another version of the listing, with commentary, the mirror shown in the picture is a unique World’s Fair mirror. http://stlhomeswithsoul.com/2012/01/17/worlds-fair-wonder-10005-keith-inch-ct/

Can anyone find any information about this architect William Sutherland and/or Judge Harrison? I have no doubt that they were worthy folk and true professionals, but I am not finding anything. Of course, the reference to Judge Harrison’s descendants founding Jamestown is a typographical error for the word ancestors, but even that substitution doesn’t seem to dredge up anything.

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A realtor for this property became involved in a genealogical discussion that mentioned two print references to Sutherland and Harrison, and some other information. http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.northam.usa.states.missouri.counties.stlouis/4728.2.1/mb.ashx

Sutherland is also mentioned on Landmark Hunter in connection with one St. Louis building: http://landmarkhunter.com/tag/58966-william-sutherland/

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Ah, at last, a bio:

WILLIAM M. SUTHERLAND.

William M. Sutherland, president of the William Sutherland Building &
Construction Company, was born April 5, 1868, at Peterhead, Scotland, a son
of John and Jane (Bain) Sutherland. His education was acquired in the Peter-
head Academy and he came to America in 1887 when nineteen j^ears of age, for
the favorable reports concerning the business opportunities of the new world
proved to him an irresistible attraction, nor has he ever had occasion to regret
his determination to come to the new world. He began his business career with
the Anderson Brothers Construction Company, serving as carpenter’s apprentice
and receiving practical training in all of the branches of the building industry.
He remained in this connection for four years and then entered the contracting
business on his own account, having determined to reap for himself the benefits
of his own industry and talents. In 1906 his business had prospered and de-
veloped to such an extent that he organized and incorporated the William Suther-
land Building & Construction Company and was elected its president. The con-
cern now stands as one of the most prominent among the construction companies
of St. Louis with an extensive and growing patronage.

On the 17th of September, 1896, Mr. Sutherland was married to Miss Doolie
Wilkins. They are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Sutherland is
also interested in Christian Science. Airs. Sutherland takes a very active part in
the work of the church and its charities and is an accomplished musician. Their
home. Keith Inch, is situated at Ashby place, in St. Louis county. Mr. Suther-
land is a Scottish Rite Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree in the
consistory. He is vice president of the Building Industries Association and one
of its most active members. He also belongs to the Maine Hunting & Fishing
Club and finds his chief recreation in fishing, hunting and automobiling. He is a
man of strong intellectuality, loyal to his beliefs and fearless in support of his
honest convictions.

http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/walter-barlow-stevens/st-louis-the-fourth-city-1764-1909-volume-3-vet/page-130-st-louis-the-fourth-city-1764-1909-volume-3-vet.shtml

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Unfortunately, Overland is not one of the nicest St Louis suburbs….

And I do hate to see that “remuddlers” have removed the radiators to install forced air. Please, people, if you can’t do it right, leave well enough alone! One of my best friends in St Louis just bought a house that had the exact same thing done before she purchased it… She says it is so cold… the forced air just is not warming those old plaster and brick walls so the house never feels warm.

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Ryan Reply:
February 29th, 2012 at 1:27 pm

I think I see a radiator in that picture of the blue room…hidden befind the column on the right side?

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This gives some room sizes and additional information.
http://janetmcafee.com/property/property.asp?PRM_MLSNumber=11054944&PRM_MLSName=MARIS&VAR_AgentCode=&VAR_OfficeCode=

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“The home was later sold to Judge John Harrison, whose descendants helped colonize Jamestown.”

Apparently the family owns a time machine of some sort.

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Kelly, Old House Dreams Reply:
February 29th, 2012 at 4:45 pm

Haha, I didn’t even notice what was written there.

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Went to visit this beautiful home today. We were terribly sad to see the badly deteriorated state that she is in. Much water damage, and the introduction of forced air heating and air conditioning seems to have been done rather slipshod. Exposed ductwork in the third floor and some “vents” in the home were nothing but open ducts. Half started renovations show that this is not a casual rehabbers opportunity. The blueprints mentioned are more than a decade old. The millwork is large and charming. The grounds are well kept and have nice cub appeal. We fell in love with her upon entering. However her needs are far beyond our capabilities. If something is not done soon, I fear her demise is looming. She is gorgeous and is just begging for someone to love her enough to bring her back to life.

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Kelly, Old House Dreams Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 7:35 pm

Sorry to hear that. Maybe someone will save it from further deterioration soon. Thanks for the info.

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I also went to see the house a few days ago, and while it certainly needs a great deal of work, I feel that its demise is exaggerated. The areas that need the most work are actually the areas that have been updated such as the bathrooms and kitchen. The renovations to those rooms were done several decades ago meaning the accessories are poorly functioning and the decor has that all-too-familiar 70′s vibe. Those rooms will need gutted and redone with something more fitting of the overall theme of the house. The other rooms need a bit of work too, but nothing as serious. One of the biggest tasks will be getting the wiring and plumbing updated. A past owner had installed new electrical panels in the basement, but much of the wiring in the house is still very old. Of course other things will need to be redone in some parts of the house such as flooring, plaster, and windows, but those things aren’t as pressing as the other repairs I listed.

I’ve gone through houses in St. Louis in exponentially rougher shape than this. This one is still fairly solid. However, it will require a lot of time and money to get it to where it needs to be. Its certainly not something for an inexperienced restorer, but its not inconceivable that it could be brought back to its former glory.

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