St. Charles in St. Charles County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
1870
720 North Benton Avenue
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 20, 2024
1. 1870 Marker
1860 - ★ Conrad Bartels served in the Civil War with Kreckel's Raiders.
1870 - Conrad Bartels and his wife Mary purchased this property from the widow of Andrew Wilson.
The north half of this house was built in the early 1870's and the south half added later. This Victorian Folk House or brick cabin originally had only two rooms down and an upper loft. Note the window lintels are different on the two halves. The original smoke house/summer kitchen still stands. The bricks are sun dried and made on site.
1891 City directory lists Mrs. Mary Bartels, widow (she received a Civil War pension - $12.00/month).
1900 - Philip Bartels, Conrad's son, married Ida Palardy and became the owners.
1920-1957 - Ida Bartels (widow) noted St. Charles dress maker.
1932 Mary Lucille Bartels married Carroll Sumner Howell and eventually became the owners.
1990 Mr. & Mrs. Howell were the first members of the St. Charles Commons Neighborhood Association. 120 years of a single-family history.
Erected by Saint Charles Commons Neighborhood Association
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.
Location. 38° 47.344′ N, 90° 29.043′ W. Marker is in St. Charles, Missouri, in St. Charles County. It is on North Benton Avenue south of Franklin Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 720 N Benton Ave, Saint Charles MO 63301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, 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: Circa 1880 (a few steps from this marker); Circa 1891 (a few steps from this marker); Circa 1871 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Circa 1871 (within shouting distance of this marker); Circa 1890 (within shouting distance of this marker); Circa 1888 (within shouting distance of this marker); 1892 (within shouting distance of this marker); Circa 1893 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Charles.
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.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 20, 2024
2. 1870 Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 131 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 18, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
