They range from Italianate masterpieces to Gothic fortresses, their styles as diverse as the industries that funded them.
Vaile Mansion in Independence stands as a High Victorian marvel, complete with turrets and intricate detailing.
These homes are architectural statements rooted in Missouris growth as a hub of industry and trade.
25or6to4 via Wikimedia Commons
They remain significant reminders of the states storied past and evolving identity.
Originally home to Congressman John T. Harris, the house witnessed Sedalias transformation into a railroad hub.
Its rooms likely served as backdrops for discussions about the states future during Missouris politically charged pre-Civil War years.
The architecture isnt flashy, but it speaks to a time when practicality and elegance coexisted.
The Harris House stands as a steady relic of Sedalias early prominence, its historical role quietly significant.
At 56 feet wide and 46 feet deep, its both grand in scale and impressively rugged.
A carriage house on the property became Bentons studio, where his trademark murals came to life.
Louis Bolduc House Ste.
Genevieve
The Louis Bolduc House in Ste.
Genevieve, Missouri, is a well-preserved example of French colonial architecture in the Mississippi River Valley.
This design was practical for the areas frequent flooding and provided durability against the elements.
The house features a steeply pitched roof and thick walls, common in 18th-century French colonial structures.
The interior features wide-plank wooden floors and a central hearth that served as the focal point for daily life.
Ironwork details and handmade furnishings reflect the craftsmanship of the period, while the original floor plan remains intact.
It cost $150,000 a figure that translates to millions today.
Its 31 rooms, with soaring 14-foot ceilings, were decorated with French, German, and Italian artistry.
Surrounding the mansion was a sprawling 630-acre estate, boasting vineyards, orchards, and a winery.
Architect Henry Hoits design drew inspiration from European palaces.
The Long family, including matriarch Ella and equestrian enthusiast Loula, lived here until Longs death in 1934.
Later, the mansion became the Kansas City Museum, preserving its ornate interiors and cultural significance.
Garths connection to Twain adds a literary flair, tying the house to the river towns larger-than-life mythology.
Designed by Kansas City architect George Carman and constructed by master builder Ed.
R. Page Sr., the two-story, 48-foot-square house embodies an era of stately elegance and refined craftsmanship.
The interiors showcase mahogany, walnut, and oak woods with Tiffany glass fixtures and South African pink marble.
Mark Twain spoke from the double staircase in 1902, addressing a crowd of 300.
After Cruikshanks death in 1924, the house sat vacant for 43 years.
Constructed in 1904, this two-story Queen Anne feature a raised brick basement, broad verandah and porte cochere.
Chances influence transformed the property into a centerpiece of Centralias cultural life.
The Samuel Cupples House oozes architectural gravitas with its rounded arches and fortress-like demeanor.
By the 1970s, the house was in need of salvation.
Father Maurice McNamee led an extensive restoration, resurrecting the mansions grandeur.
Now a museum, it features the Eleanor Turshin Glass Collection, showcasing Art Nouveau and Art Deco masterpieces.
The houses complex design features an asymmetrical floor plan, typical of the Queen Anne aesthetic.
A full-width verandah extends across the front, offering a broad, inviting space framed by detailed woodwork.
The architectural details are abundant.
Carved wood trim highlights the eaves, while the roofs intersecting gables add visual interest and complexity.
The verandahs balustrade, along with the intricate brackets and moldings, reflect the craftsmanship of the era.
Once home to fur trader Robert Campbell, its opulence contrasts sharply with its urban setting.
The home was owned by the family until 1938.
Inside, African mahogany woodwork and intricately carved mantels highlight the craftsmanship of the period.
The mansion also includes a basement with decorative iron gates from an open-air elevator.
A glass-enclosed shower was imported from Italy.
Vaults at the rear of the property once stored the Lemp familys art collection.
Though later renovations and uses stripped some original details, the homes core architectural elements remain.
