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

Becker House

1812 S 8th St.

— circa 1848 —

Becker House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 28, 2020

1. Becker House Marker

Inscription. In 1848, Heinrich (Henry) Becker purchased this lot from Benjamin Soulard. Becker subsequently built this two-unit Federal-style flounder house. Its first story was originally a storefront for the family's brick-making business. Kilns, an alley house, and other structures were added to the property over time. Today, only this front building, one of the oldest extant structures in Soulard, remains. The Becker family owned and resided in this property for 159 years.

Erected 2019 by Soulard Historic District.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Missouri, St. Louis, Soulard Historic District series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 38° 36.54′ N, 90° 12.153′ W. Marker is in St. Louis, Missouri. It is in Soulard. It is on South 8th Street south of Soulard Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1812 S 8th St, Saint Louis MO 63104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Philip W Schneider House (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Elizabeth Settlement & Day Nursery (within shouting distance of this marker); 9th Street Abbey

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(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Soulard Market (about 500 feet away); Historic Soulard (about 500 feet away); Sts. Peter and Paul Parish (about 700 feet away); The Trapper Cottage (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named The Trapper Cottage (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Louis.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Trinity Lutheran Church and School (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Additional commentary.
1. Call for Action: Preserve This Piece of Our Shared History
It’s truly frustrating—and frankly heartbreaking—to see a structure with such historical and architectural significance left to deteriorate like this. As a neighbor who has lived next door for over a decade, I’ve watched this property sit in a worsening state of neglect.

Rather than undertaking any meaningful preservation efforts, the owner appears only a couple of times a week to drain water from the basement with a makeshift hose and downspout. There’s

Becker House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 28, 2020

2. Becker House and Marker

Marker is mounted to the old house, which is private property.

no effort to stabilize the structure, repair damage, or honor the home’s place in this nationally recognized historic district.

This level of inaction not only disrespects the legacy of the building itself but also impacts the surrounding neighborhood. We should expect better stewardship of our shared history. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

— Submitted March 25, 2025, by Kerry Pitt of Saint Louis, Missouri.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 900 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 18, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.