Downtown in St. Louis, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Security Building

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 11, 2017

1. The Security Building Marker

Inscription. The Security Building, one of St. Louis’ most significant 19th century office buildings, is the city’s only remaining commercial structure designed by the renowned architectural firm of Peabody & Stearns. Built in 1891, a year before Louis Sullivan’s pioneering Wainwright Building on 7th Street, the Security Building represents an earlier Classical Revival Style.

One of the first two tall office buildings on 4th Street – the other being the Merchants Laclede Building – the Security Building enhanced the street’s prestige. By 1900, 4th Street was the city’s financial center and was known simply as “The Street.”

From 1895 until 1964 the prestigious Noonday Club occupied the top two floors. Many of St. Louis’ leading citizens frequented the club on an almost daily basis. The club membership boasted sponsors of Charles Lindbergh’s historic 1927 transatlantic flight in the “Spirit of St. Louis.”

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 38° 37.675′ N, 90° 11.273′ W. Marker is in St. Louis, Missouri. It is in Downtown. Marker is on North 4th Street north of Olive Street, on the left

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when traveling north. Marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the Security Building at this address, near the southeast corner of the building, facing east toward 4th Street. The south end of the Security Building, near this marker, abuts a parking garage building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 319 North 4th Street, Saint Louis MO 63102, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Teenager Samuel Clemens (within shouting distance of this marker); Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (within shouting distance of this marker); Merchant Laclede Building (within shouting distance of this marker); William Clark died at this site (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Mississippi Valley Trust Company (about 400 feet away); William Tecumseh Sherman (about 400 feet away); Rue Quicapou (about 500 feet away); Site of the Democratic National Convention of 1876 (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Louis.

More about this marker. Marker is a large metal plaque, mounted within a decorative polished granite frame.

Regarding The Security Building. National Register of Historic Places (2000) and designated an official landmark by the City of Saint Louis.

Also see . . .
1. Security Building - City Landmark #96. The firm of Peabody, Stearns & Furber designed the Security Bank Building in 1892. The building was home to the Noonday

The Security Building Marker (<i>wide view; marker mounted on last column at far left [south]</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 11, 2017

2. The Security Building Marker (wide view; marker mounted on last column at far left [south])

Club, an organization of St. Louis businessmen, for many years. The lower two floors are of pink granite with pink limestone and brick above. A prefab cast iron dome sits above the lobby and art glass tops the entranceway. (Submitted on August 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Peabody and Stearns. (This link presents an impressive list w/photos of Peabody & Stearns buildings around the USA.) Peabody & Stearns was a premier architectural firm in the Eastern United States in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, the firm consisted of Robert Swain Peabody (1845–1917) and John Goddard Stearns, Jr. (1843–1917). The firm worked on in a variety of designs but is closely associated with shingle style. (Submitted on August 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

The Security Building (<i>tall view from across 4th St.; marker just beyond image at far left</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 11, 2017

3. The Security Building (tall view from across 4th St.; marker just beyond image at far left)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 327 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on October 15, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.