Historic Home Tour
Couple weeks ago, we hopped over the border into Missouri and landed in Lexington for their annual Historic Home Tour. We bought our tickets at the Tourism Bureau, and then set off to tour some of Lexington’s oldest historic homes. This is right up my alley as I love history and old homes. At first we took the tour bus that dropped visitors off at each home and then picked them up again. But there was a big crowd that dropped out of the bus and our home tours were very noisy and crowded. So we escaped from the bus and walked several blocks back to our truck. We spent the rest of the day finding the homes and touring them on our own without the crowds.
Lucky you – you don’t have to put up with the crowds at all.
Our first stop was a brick house built in the early 1850s.
When the owner purchased it a couple years ago, the lot was overgrown in trees, and the roof was leaky and rotten. He’s done a lot of work so far, but has a lot more to go.
UPSTAIRS FIREPLACE
DOWNSTAIRS FIREPLACE
The brick is kinda soft and crumbly
– not sure how the owner will be able to fix this.
After we finished touring this home, we escaped from the tour bus, and walked several blocks back to our truck. One the way, we passed the county courthouse.
In September 1861, the Battle of Lexington occurred here. It went on for several days and at one point during the battle somebody aimed a cannon at the courthouse and hit one of the pillars.
The cannonball is still lodged up there. (Look right above where it says “Battle of Lexington”)
The next house we toured was built between 1840 and 1845.
The home still contains the original wood floors, moldings, staircase, fireplaces and mantels. Sadly, pictures were not allowed at this house.
The next home on the tour was this federal style house, built in the 1850s.
It features the original staircase, woodwork, and chandeliers.
Finally, we toured the Christ Church Episcopal church, built in 1848.
(Sorry about the distortion- I shouldn’t have used my wide angle lens on this one)
It still has the original walnut pews, altar, and gothic truss-arches. During the Battle of Lexington in 1861, the church was damaged by cannon fire.
In 1870 a pipe organ arrived by steamboat and is still is use today.
The stained glass windows were installed in 1884.
My favorite window was one dedicated by the parents of a young child who died when just over a year old.
“TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF
JULIET PRESTON THOMAS
BORN MAY 19TH, 1871 – DIED JULY 7TH, 1872
IN HEAVEN THEIR ANGELS DO ALWAYS BEHOLD THE FACE OF MY FATHER”
So sad.
A couple other homes that caught our eye but were not on the tour, were this brick home with shade trees, gardens, and an old wrought iron fence,
and this Victorian home with a 3 storeys high turret.
Wouldn’t you love to go up there and take in the view?
Lexington is a neat old town perched above the Missouri River with lots of history, antique stores, and cute shops.
Well worth a visit if you’re ever in the area.
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Note: Thanks for all your good wishes regarding Kitty and her recent illness. She’s back home, on meds now, and feeling much better. She’s been very very purr’y since she came home. She probably thinks she was being punished for something having to spend the day at the vet’s office, and is trying to get back in our good graces. Silly Kitty.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
The houses are so small compared to homes now it is incredible. I love the one withe the turret rooms and the stained glass window was divine and sad at the same time.
So very glad Kitty is doing better. Kiss her on the nose for me!
Well, this was a surprise! My parents are from Lexington, MO. I have seen the houses in your post, they are beautiful. Did you go to the Anderson house? It was used as a hospital in the civil war. I believe it is haunted, it gives me the chills when I go there! Someone rode a horse in there and you can see the marks it left. They have restored the house, what stories that house could tell. The courthouse does have a cannonball stuck in it, I used to think it would be, just my luck, for it to fall on my head! The cemetery is also very old, with tombstones of all shapes and sizes, very interesting. I enjoyed this post, thanks. Glad Kitty is feeling better!
The old homes in Lexington are wonderful!! We were there earlier this summer, and my eye was drawn to some of the same homes you have in your photos. (I did a post on my blog, too.) We didn’t get to go inside though. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for a homes tour next fall. A couple of them are B&B’s so an overnight stay would be a fun way to see more.
What a beautiful old town with so much history! I remember watching a television show about the old Anderson house that used to be a hospital and how it is haunted! Amazing that the cannon ball is still in the column after all this time. Thanks for the tour of this wonderful town. xx
Historic houses aren’t really my thing, but those church pictures are absolutely gorgeous. Thanks, Suzanne, sounds like you had a lovely day.
Several years ago 2 of my friends and I stayed at a bed and breakfast in Lexington for a girls weekend. We lucked out, and had the whole house to ourselves. We had a lot of fun! (Don’t remember the name of the B&B) I do remember it had a basement/cellar where the slaves had lived, which was creepy & sad!
Sorry I missed that church! That looks beautiful!
I, too, love history and old houses. Thanks for the tour. Glad to know Kitty is better.
Just found your wonderful blog by way of Pinterest! I’ve been clicking and watching video for the last hour… I think I’m going to have to put you in my sidebar for reading daily! I love, love a farm blog. I grew up in MO. too, now live in NW AR. Come visit me on Granny Mountain, that’s what the locals call this mountaintop!