McCluer High School Campus
1896 South Florissant Road
Florissant, Missouri 63031
314052401100
Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children; free parking on lot.
https://florissantvalleyhs.com/
Opened in 1965.
This house began in 1790 as a two-room trading post made of rough-hewn logs by a fur trader. In 1805, the original log building was purchased by French immigrant John Mullanphy, early merchant and trader, and St. Louis' first millionaire. He used it as a hunting lodge. Mullanphy also built the first hospital west of the Mississippi River. The cabin was given to his daughter and her husband, who were the second of five Mullanphy generations to live in it. They expanded the house to accommodate their 17 children eventually creating a total of 22 rooms.
In this first floor room that is part of the original cabin one can see the original log walls.
One enters this room upon entering the house through the main doorway. The portrait above the fireplace is of the grandson of John Mullanphy. He grew up in this house.
This bowl setting on a marble slab is an original to the house.
In the same room you find one of several interesting ceiling lights.
There is a second public room in the new section of the home. Today this room, the parlor, is used for meetings and dinners for the Florissant Valley Historical Society which is headquartered in the house.
And of course there is a period piano there!
And an interesting ceiling light.
There is also a kitchen on the first floor.
There are a number of items on display in the kitchen.
This bed is in the first of two bedrooms on the first floor.
Fireplace in the bedroom.
And another interesting ceiling fixture.
This fireplace is in the original living-room.
And another interesting ceiling fixture!
There are four bedrooms upstairs including this attic bedroom.
This bed had a very interesting quilt.
And an antique baby buggy.
It also has what is believed to be the first walk-in closet west of the Mississippi River.
Second upstairs bedroom.
The artwork is believed to be from the wedding of the couple pictured.
A third upstairs bedroom.
Another buggy.
A beautiful clock.
Storage for many more quilts that have been donated.
And the fourth and last upstairs bedroom.
In the upstairs landing there are several items on display including these vintage toys.
And these antique beaded purses and some eyeglasses.
Jewelry and other miscellaneous items on display in the landing.
The final upstairs room serves as a library for the Historical society.
This poster from 1886 is on display on the library door.
On the first floor in the main room they have a small gift shop area.
The Mullanphy family lived in this house until late 1960. At that time the property was purchased by the Ferguson-Florissant School District for expansion of McCluer High School. The Historical Society arranged to have the house moved 200 yards to its current location sacrificing only the summer kitchen and the terrace of hand-made brick. From the second floor window one can see how close the house sits today from the high school.
COMMENTS: We visited this house on Historic St. Louis Holiday Tour Saturday when many groups got together and opened their houses, etc. for tours. Normally this house is only open on Sundays except for special tours.
It is one of the largest historical homes in St. Louis County that we have visited. The Society has done a good job refurnishing all of the rooms and they continue to acquire items and refurnish rooms. The society that owns this home appears to be quite dedicated to it.
I was disappointed that the third floor was closed as I understand that there is an interesting museum on that floor with some excellent collections. They have a large collection of vintage toys and clothing and are known for their vintage wedding gown collection. I would love to return to see that.
