Miltenberger Stone Mansion

This mansion on West Pine Boulevard in the Central West End was built for William E. Miltenberger, who ran a local fire insurance company, and had seven houses developed on the block in 1895, including this mansion, which combines elements of the Gothic Revival and Queen Anne style. This example was particularly opulent, as it had its front facade fully made of quarried limestone, and it was given a rough texture to make it have a castle like appearance. Miltenberger would have built these mansions in anticipation of the wealthy residents of Midtown beginning to move westward into the area in the 1890s. The house was sold to P. M. Wright, who was listed as the owner in 1913. After World War II, the area began to fall out of favor with wealthy St. Louisans, who were moving into St. Louis County. By the 1970s and 1980s, many of the mansions were being used as rooming houses and others had fallen into disrepair. However, the neighborhood began to see a revitalization effort in the 1980s and 1990s, which was largely backed by Washington University. Today, the house is a part of the Laclede West Pine Historic District, and is currently being used as a Hebrew Catholic center.