The Lehmann House

History of the House

By the mid-1860's, Lafayette Square had become the most prestigious residential area in St. Louis.  In 1866 Benton Place, the oldest private street in St. Louis, was established and named for a Missouri senator, Thomas Hart Benton.  Although #10 was originally built for Edward S. Rowse, a wealthy financier, the second owners, Frederick and Nora Lehmann were the most remembered.  Frederick Lehmann was a nationally known lawyer with a long list of both professional and philanthropic accomplishments, residing at #10 Benton Place for 31 years. After his death, it passed through many hands and was in a sad state of disrepair when rescued Marie in 1992, 100 years, almost to the day, after the original building permit was issued for the original construction of the house.

Marie is putting many hours into the ongoing restoration of this 20 room Romanesque Revival mansion that she and her five children now call home, hoping to return it to its original splendor in the coming years. Careful restoration of the oak, maple and cherry woodwork is in progress throughout the house. Guests are encouraged to offer ideas and information, perhaps filling in the historical blanks that we stumble on from time to time.