#19 – Did Henry Shaw live here?

Stop at Administration Building / photo of residence downtown

Garden founder Henry Shaw’s Town House was originally located on the southwest corner of Seventh and Locust streets in downtown St. Louis. Built in 1849, the three-story, traditional residence contained seventeen rooms and two kitchens. It was designed by architect George I. Barnett, who also designed Shaw’s country estate, Tower Grove House.

Henry Shaw passed away in 1889. In his will, he left $10,000 with instructions for his city home to be moved to this location:

I devise and bequeath my property…to said Botanical garden, including my present City residence…being built of good and durable materials, but unsuitable to its present locality; it is my desire that when deemed advisable by the Trustees of said Missouri Botanical Garden to have the said residence carefully taken down and rebuilt on Tower Grove Avenue in some convenient situation in contiguity to said Botanical garden.

Over the years, the Town House was expanded and used as a scientific research facility. Today it houses administration offices and is closed to the public.