St. Charles in St. Charles County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

550 Madison Street

— Midtown Neighborhood —

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 20, 2024

1. 550 Madison Street Marker

Inscription. This property was originally listed as part of the North half section of Lot 5, Block 186 on Boone's survey of the St. Charles Commons in 1830. In 1831, this property was leased to Sir Walter Rice for 999 years at a rate of $8.50 annum.

The actual age of the house to date is unknown. Certain features suggest it was built in sections [unreadable] or two at a time around 1850.

An impressive feature of the house is the walls on the first floor. All walls, interior and exterior, are 12" thick, with exterior [unreadable] doorways between each room.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. 38° 46.945′ N, 90° 29.277′ W. Marker is in St. Charles, Missouri, in St. Charles County. It is on Madison Street east of South 6th Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 550 Madison St, Saint Charles MO 63301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in the Missouri River Corridor

and in Greater St. Louis.

It is also 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: African Church (a few steps from this marker); 715 Jefferson Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); 616 Washington Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); 705 Washington Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); 721 Washington Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); 809 Jefferson Street (approx. ¼ mile away); Circa 1895 (approx. ¼ mile away); 302 Jefferson Street (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Charles.

Regarding 550 Madison Street. Excerpt from a 2010 architectural/historical survey of the area:

This address is listed in the 1891-92 city directory as the home of E. Wiethoelter. Along with
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 20, 2024

2. 550 Madison Street Marker
this early directory, early Sanborn maps show the address as 525 Madison, but by 1909 the map shows it as 550, the number used in the next city directory in 1906, which identifies Earnest (later spelled Ernst and Ernest) Wietholter (also another spelling of the last name) as the head of the household, and his family remained in the house through at least 1942. Ernest was a molder at the American Car and Foundry Company (ACF), and he lived in the house with his wife Dena, who apparently survived him since she is listed as the head of household starting in 1929 (and her name then spelled Diena). In 1906, there was also another family member, Joseph Wietholter, living in the house, listed as working at ACF. By 1945, Elmer Shutten and his family were listed in the city directory, and he too apparently was survived by his wife, Martha, who is listed as the head of household by 1952 and continued living in the house in 1961, when research ended.

Also see . . . Midtown Neighborhood Historic District. Wikipedia entry:
Links to National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (Submitted on October 30, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 183 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 15, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.