The Painted House

The Painted House. Circa 1910, 1818 Watson St., St. Charles MO. This 2½ story, cross-gabled Queen Anne Free Classic-style home was built in 1910 by Walter and Elnora Wills. Walter and Elnora created the surrounding Lindenwood Heights subdivision in 1905 with Francis and Sarah Becker. Walter was a supply agent for American Car Foundry (ACF), in nearby downtown historic St. Charles. , The Painted House has the original restored wood siding, wood windows and a coursed rock-faced stone foundation. The front porch ceiling is painted haint blue. Folklore says the blue keeps spirits at bay (as they cannot cross water) or mimics the sky, keeping insect nests away. , The enclosed rear porch on the second floor was once a “sleeping porch”, now a colorful mint green guest suite. The large beam on the 3rd floor driveway side of the home was used to hoist furniture and large objects to the 3rd floor, not uncommon in this era. , Around 1941, the owner began subdividing the home into apartments. By 1945, Walter Wills was deceased. His widow lived here until circa 1947. In 1952, the home was purchased by Russell and Joyce Eddington, who also owned the white house around the corner at 111 Anderson. By 1959, Eddington had subdivided the house into 5 apartments. , The colorful interior has much original millwork, pocket doors and Douglas Fir wood floors. Original clawfoot tubs are in two of the bathrooms. The beautiful interior has colorful paint, wallpaper and furniture, as a nod to her Victorian roots. , (Historic information provided by St. Charles Historical Society) , This beautiful home is now offered as a vacation rental., For more information, please visit our listing on Airbnb.