Historic St. Charles

Historic St. Charles. The Municipal Plaza. The site of the Municipal Plaza in St. Charles has undergone several dramatic transformations in the past 100 years. , , The first dam and a sawmill were built in 1836. In 1866 a flourmill, operated by Civil War veteran Major W.G. Conklin, replaced the sawmill. In 1877, A. Fredenhagen took over operation of the flour and grain mill. Fire destroyed the mill in 1896. One year later Crown Electric rebuilt on the site. Beginning in 1908, the St. Charles Fixture Co., a manufacturer of gas and electric light fixtures, operated on site for 21 years before fire destroyed the building in 1929. , , In 1940 the Municipal Building was completed, its construction funded by local residents Col. and Mrs. Edward J. Baker and Mr. and Mrs. Lester J. Norris. The Municipal Building is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece reflecting the Art Moderne style which is identifiable by the combination of 'modern' machine age technology and the artistic expression of the late 1930's. It was designed by notable local architect R. Harold Zook and nephew D. Taylor Cody. Zook's buildings are creative, reflective of the era, constructed using natural materials as well as the highest quality of craftsmanship. The Municipal Building clad in Georgian marble leaves a lasting impression. , , The Municipal Building is a Designated Landmark and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. , , [Caption in top left:] , A. Fredenhagen Flour and Grain Mill circa 1877 , , [Caption in top right:] , In 1929 fire destroyed the St. Charles Fixture Manufacturing building , , [Caption in bottom left:] , Municipal building , , [Caption in bottom right:] , Train Accident on Main Street , In 1915, across the street from current day Municipal Plaza, Great Western Engine #214 ran off the end of the track on the riverfront spur line, crashing Into the St. Charles Fruit and Confectionery Shop. No one was injured; the shop was only slightly damaged.