I was fortunate enough to be able to talk with Walter for a bit before he left town. I was curious about why he wanted to live there. Did Walter always want to own a Native American Mound? Did Walter even know that is was a mound when he bought it? I wanted to know what the draw was for him. After all, there weren't that many neighbors and there were other houses that were much larger. So I asked, "Walter why did you want to live there?". The answer I received was a marvelous one related to more of Saint Louis' nearly forgotten history.
Walter as a young man belonged to what he called "the poor mans' rowing club". Walter had belonged to the Saint Louis Rowing Club, a club that had teams of rowers that raced competitively. These competitions were called regattas and they were held on the Mississippi River. Walter love to row and so began his love affair with the river.
When it came time for Walter to purchase a house he knew it had to be on the river. The large mansions that dotted Broadway were a little out of his price range so he went on a search. When he came across Sugar Loaf House he knew he had to have it. He approached the current owner and asked if he would like to sell. Unfortunately for Walter he wasn't quite ready to move at the time. Walter gave the man his phone number and 10 years later his phone rang with the opportunity to move to the river. Without any hesitation Walter purchase the home at 4420 Ohio in 1962 and has lived there ever since until a couple weeks ago.
Walter was told by the previous owner that he was now owner of Sugar Loaf but he didn't recognize the importance until people started showing up at his door. Walter over the years has graciously been allowing people access to the mound for various reasons, and keeping an ever watchful eye.
I tried to do some research about the rowing clubs but was unable to find much. If anyone has any information or pictures I would love to view them!
Walter as a young man belonged to what he called "the poor mans' rowing club". Walter had belonged to the Saint Louis Rowing Club, a club that had teams of rowers that raced competitively. These competitions were called regattas and they were held on the Mississippi River. Walter love to row and so began his love affair with the river.
When it came time for Walter to purchase a house he knew it had to be on the river. The large mansions that dotted Broadway were a little out of his price range so he went on a search. When he came across Sugar Loaf House he knew he had to have it. He approached the current owner and asked if he would like to sell. Unfortunately for Walter he wasn't quite ready to move at the time. Walter gave the man his phone number and 10 years later his phone rang with the opportunity to move to the river. Without any hesitation Walter purchase the home at 4420 Ohio in 1962 and has lived there ever since until a couple weeks ago.
Walter was told by the previous owner that he was now owner of Sugar Loaf but he didn't recognize the importance until people started showing up at his door. Walter over the years has graciously been allowing people access to the mound for various reasons, and keeping an ever watchful eye.
I tried to do some research about the rowing clubs but was unable to find much. If anyone has any information or pictures I would love to view them!
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