Location

Welcome to the Elgin/Cottrell House!

The Hezekiah Elgin House (c1845) has the honor of being one of the oldest houses on record in the city of Clarksville Missouri.  

The Elgin family history in Pike County began with William Elgin who in 1816 bought a 3000 acre Spanish Tract said to extend north and south from Clarksville in the early 1800's.  He opened a trading post and built one of the first roads between St. Louis and Clarksville.  He also built the Elgin Opera House and Hotel which were both destroyed by fire in the late 1800's.

Hezekiah had this house built in about 1845 out of bricks made by slaves on the spot.  The Elgin family owned the house for more than one hundred years.  The last remaining heir sold it in 1945 to Miss Bess Bankhead.  She and her two sisters lived there until the 1900's.  One sister gave sewing lessons and another gave piano lessons.  Long time Clarksville residents recall that the grand piano could be seen from the parlor window. 

When the last sister died, the house was sold in 1965 to a famous artist of Clarksville, Jamie Larue Brown McIlroy, who lived there until her death in 2005.

Because of the small number of residents of this home over the years, the house has had minimal changes, making it one of Missouri's most intact homes of its type and period.

The present owner, Richard Cottrell, a native of Clarksville, also and artist, avid antique collector, lover of historic homes and historic preservation, is now in the process of undertaking the task of restoring the home.

The house which is Antebellum (Latin word meaning before the Civil War) in style, has Italian, Regency, and French Creole influences.  It is not known if Mr. Elgin used an architect or was himself the designer.  Due to the Pike County Court House Fire in the 1800's, much of the historic information is unavailable.

The house is greatly influenced by the French- styled houses in the French Quarter of New Orleans.  The house has 8 main rooms that run shotgun and each opens to the side porches.  This fact, and the 12 foot tall ceilings, help cool the house in the hot Missouri summers along the river.  It also made it difficult to heat in the cold Missouri winters.  The outside stairs on the porch were used by servants so they could enter any room without going through another.

This amazing home has its original floor plan, fireplaces, wood plank floors mantles, massive woodwork, iron door locks with white porcelain knobs and skeleton keys.  Only the front porch is missing.  A picture taken in the 1940's shows the porch and Mr. Cottrell plans to return it as soon as possible.  The complete interior and the side porches are currently being restored.  Mr. Cottrell is performing what is called a working restoration, thereby including modern conveniences such as bathrooms, stove and a refrigerator.  As no records or photos exist, he is also performing what is called an interpretative restoration of the interior.  Thus, it will be restored to what it might have looked like when it was first built, according to the interpretation of the present owner.

When complete this Museum Home will contain extensive collections of antique furniture, decorative accessories and formal portraits.  Mr. Cottrell plans to open this wonderful house for public tours, small parties, weddings, and club groups.  Candle light tours on weekends in the month of December will also be offered with the house decorated in full Victorian Splendor and Christmas Dress. 

This home provides the unique opportunity for anyone who loves historic homes, antiques, and beautiful appointments to view in an 1845 setting on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi River in Clarksville, MO.

 For more information please call Richard Cottrell at 314-361-1746,  314-367-0588, or 573-242-9664.  Email at cottrellprissy@aol.com (Prissy is the queen beagle dog that reigns over the house).

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