4510 Lindell Boulevard, 1902

From "Palaces of St. Louis," National Magazine (Volume 17, October 1902). The home of Mr. William F. Nolker at 4510 Lindell Boulevard was listed as "A Rhine Inspiration on Lindell Boulevard" according to Mr. Hoch; it currently serves as the home for the archbishop of St. Louis. Nolker built the home in 1891, died in 1906, and the home was sold to a new family in 1917. Shortly after buying the home, Mr. and Mrs. Julius Walsh created -- wait for it -- the cocktail party. Mrs. Walsh hired a professional drink mixer to provide cocktails in the backyard and lower levels to entertain her and some 50 guests before dinner. Yet, however socially successful the Walsh family might have been, they eventually sold the mansion to none other than the archdiocese in 1923. It has served since then in the capacity as the home of the archbishop of St. Louis, and even played host to Pope John Paul II in 1999.

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4 comments:

Marcheline said...

I'm not sure why all the real estate websites (Trulia, etc.) list this house as being built in 1922. How likely is it that they built it in 1902, then someone took the entire house down, and then put it back up exactly identically, stone for stone, in 1922? Trying to make sense of this.

T. C. G. historian volunteer said...

NO CHANCE THE HOUSE WAS BUILT IN 1922 . IT IS FORMIDABLE , OF MUCH EARLIER DESIGN
AND COULD NOT HAVE BEEN ERECTED AFTER WWI AS THE WORKMANSHIP IS OF TURN OF
THE CENTURY QUALITY . A SIMILAR , SLIGHTLY EARLIER MANSION LOCATED AT 3810 LINDELL
WAS THE PRIOR ARCHBISHOP'S OFFICIAL HOME . IT WAS GIVEN TO ARCHBISHOP KENRICK
BY WIDE VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIPTION , DESIGNED BY ISSAC TAYLOR , THE MANAGING
ARCHITECT FOR THE 1904 FAIR . KENRICK WAS A RENOWNED THEOLOGIAN AND INTELLECT
WHO DIED AT THE CLOSE OF THE 19TH CENTURY . ARCHBISHOP / CARDINAL GLENNON
CAME AT THE TIME OF THE FAIR AND RESIDED AT THE KENRICK RESIDENCE UNTIL
PURCHASING THE FORMER WALSH MANSION - CLOSER TO THE CATHEDRAL UNDER
CONSTRUCTION .

Louis Brinckwirth said...

It was built in 1891 by my family. My great-great-grandmother died there, my grandfather was born there, and my great-grandfather built a stately home across the street. my great-great-grandfather built the first modern brewery in the city of St Louis, six years before William Lemp's Western Brewery. The huge garage in the back was built by my great-grandfather as a birthday gift for his brother-in-law, William Nolker.

Beanboy said...

Wow, that is so neat, Louis. I thought the house was built before 1902.