Jefferson Barracks Historic Site - Old Ordnance Room

Jefferson Barracks Historic Site - Old Ordnance Room. . , Old Ordnance Room, The Old Ordnance Room was the first of two limestone buildings built in Jefferson Barracks for the purpose of storing gunpowder. It was constructed in 1851 by Master Builder Francis Quinette of St. Louis. The cost, just over $18,000, included the stone wall around the building. Some said that Quinette could not erect a quality building for that amount, but the building remains in use., To the south of the museum building, but inside the compound, is a marker designating the area as a Blue Star Memorial By-Way. The marker was presented to St. Louis County Parks by the Mehlville Garden Club on September 12, 2004. The blue star symbol is taken from the World War II service flags that were displayed in thousands of homes during the war. The designation of a Blue Star Memorial By-Way is intended for parks and historical gounds, to commemorate soldiers who served overseas., Limestone Quarry, Most of the buildings in today's historic section of Jefferson Barracks are constructed out of limestone taken from a quarry east of the Old Ordnance Room. Limestone's unique physical and chemical properties allow it to have many uses. Hundreds of beautiful, historic structures in Missouri were built with it, including Daniel Boone's home, the Old St. Louis Cathedral near the Arch, and even the State Capitol Building! Today, it has extensive use as one of the raw materials in Portland Cement., Reception Center #1772, During World War II this area was part of Reception Center #1772. From March 1941 until July 1943, more than 125,000 troops were processed through Reception Center #1772. The Center operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Forty officers and 311 enlisted personnel were assigned to staff this area. Their basic mission was to receive men from regional Selective Service Centers, process them, and equip them for transfer to a Training Center or a unit of Field Forces for basic training. , Some of the buildings in this area were 'Series 700' 63-man temporary barracks that were 29-ft. x 6-in. wide, 80-ft. long, and two stories tall. More than eighty men could be housed in each building using double bunks. During the early 1940s approximately 275 frame buildings were constructed at Jefferson Barracks; more than 150 of them were the 63-man temporary barracks. , The framing was wood platform construction spaced on 3'-0" centers. Wood joists and girders braced the floors. Windows were wood sash. Continuous caves called "aqua media" covered all windows on both the first and second floor. These caves allowed better ventilation during rain without getting cots wet when the windows were opened. They also kept the sides of the buildings and windows from excessive weathering and rotting. . This historical marker was erected by Friends of Jefferson Barracks and Saint Louis County Parks. It is Near Lemay in St. Louis County Missouri