Kropp Log Cabin

Kropp Log Cabin. . , In approximately 1855, Jacob Kropp, whom was part of the Sellenrick family, built the Kropp Log Cabin on this site, which is now Drace Park. It was part of a 30-acre homestead, which went west to Mueller Lane and north to Jenifer Lane. The cabin was built with a local stone foundation, containing a large main room with what is presumed to be the original stone fireplace, a root cellar, and a loft bedroom. All logs, with the exception of two, are original to the cabin. , Under the provisions of a Living Will from Dr. Charles Drace, the City of Town and Country purchased ten acres of land from St. Louis University. This site included the Drace home, a garage, a horse barn with several horses, a garage attached to the horse stable, a second small caretaker home on the rear of the property, and what is known as the Kropp Log Cabin at the front of the property, which is visible from I-270. , In the 1950's, Dr. Drace constructed an addition that included a modern kitchen and bathroom along with a small sitting area. Water, electricity, and a sewer line were run from the main house to the log cabin, which the family used as a guest house. , In 2001 as part of the master plan for the park, the city demolished the Drace house, the caretaker's house, and the garage, while still leaving the Kropp Log Cabin and horse stable in their place. Other park improvements included a new parking area, a playground, a restroom facility, and a walking trail around the entire park. , Very few pre-Civil War log cabins have survived throughout St. Louis County. The preservation of these historical structures for future generations is an important achievement and will provide many people easy access to a living history lesson. , The City of Town and Country also received grant funds from the St. Louis County Parks Grant Commission to remove the surrounding addition on the Kropp Log Cabin, returning it to its original, historically accurate condition.