John D. Perry House
Built:1881
Demolished: 1935
Style: Second Empire
Architect: Charles K Ramsey
Neighborhood: Grand Center
City block: 2289
On 1875 Compton and Dry Map: no
On 1883 Hopkins Atlas: yes
Historical significance: This house was built in 1882 for John D. Perry, who was the President of the Standard Stamping Co, and had interests in multiple banks and railroads. Lewis Perry was the son of John D. Perry, and was secretary and Vice President of the Standard Stamping Company. His brother in law was David R. Francis, who lived next door at 16 Vandeventer Place, and was mayor of St. Louis during his time on the street. Perry went to school in Germany before returning and studying at Cornell University. He then spent some time at the family owned ranch in Colorado before moving back to St. Louis. He also invested in several real estate holdings, including this mansion on Vandeventer Place. In 1895, he retired from the Standard Stamping Company to focus more on his real estate holdings. Perry continued to live here until 1906, at which point, he moved to a suite in the Buckingham Hotel in the Central West End.
Architectural significance: This house was built in 1881 in the Second Empire style. It was built by Charles K. Ramsey, along with both neighboring houses at 16 Vandeventer and 26 Vandeventer Place. The house featured a cast iron balcony, limestone embellishments on its brick facade, and a cast iron balcony, along with cast iron features above its dormers. The Perry house was indicative of the type of homes that were built for wealthy St. Louisans during the early 1880s.
Early 20th century photo of the Perry Mansion.
Lewis Perry