Henry L. Newman/ Daniel Catlin House
Built: 1881
Demolished: 1950
Style: Italianate
Architect: Peabody and Stearns
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 1881 for Henry L. Newman, who owned the St. Louis Beef Canning Co. and a cattle company to supply the beef to his meat packing company. He lived here until 1887 when he sold the mansion to Daniel Catlin following a harsh winter which killed thousands of his cattle and forced him to sell his Vandeventer Place mansion. Catlin was president of the Catlin Tobacco Company. St. Louis was a major producer of tobacco in the 19th century and had many prominent tobacco companies. The Catlin family had become wealthy as tobacco barons but continued to grow their wealth through vast real estate holdings throughout the city. Catlin sold the tobacco company to the American Tobacco Company in 1898, but continued to grow his fortune through his various real estate holdings. Daniel and his brother Ephron both had mansions on Vandeventer Place, with Ephron living at 15 Vandeventer Place. During the 1904 World’s Fair, Alice Roosevelt, daughter of president Teddy Roosevelt came to visit the Catlin family at this house. During his time on Vandeventer Place, only the highest members of St. Louis society were invited into the Catlin house. In 1915, Catlin built a new home on Westmoreland Place, but died only a year after its construction. He is also well known for owning the Catlin tract alongside Forest Park, which bears his name.
Architectural significance: This house was built by Boston architectural firm Peabody and Stearns, which had an office in downtown St. Louis, as well as its main Boston office. This house was one of the largest Italianate style homes in the city. It survived until it was demolished for the VA hospital in 1950. I
Daniel Catlin
21 Vandeventer Place during demolition in 1950.