Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find lists of buildings in St. Louis listed on the National Register of Historic Places or designated City Landmark?
The State Historic Preservation Office maintains current lists of properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Missouri, sorted by county. The state list is published here, the list for the city of St. Louis here and St. Louis County is here.
The list of properties in the city of St. Louis designated as City Landmarks can be found here. A list of St. Louis County’s deignated landmarks can be found here.
How can I learn who owns a building in the city of St. Louis?
The City of St. Louis maintains a useful database called Geo St. Louis. Geo St. Louis provides information on property ownership, date of construction (although not always precise), building permits, nuisance complaint records and other data. The database can be searched by address, owner, parcel number, city block or keyword. Geo St. Louis also has GIS mapping functions.
Do I live in a historic district with special design rules? Who do I contact if I want to replace windows on my house?
The Cultural Resources Office (CRO) of the City of St. Louis governs local historic districts, which typically include design codes that are enacted through municipal ordinance. The CRO’s website features a list of local historic districts with maps and full text of design standards in each district.
I want to use historic rehabilitation tax credits on my building. Where do I start?
The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and Department of Economic Development administer the use of historic rehabilitation tax credits in Missouri. SHPO’s website features extensive information about the state and federal programs.
My house was built in 1875. What type of mortar should I use for tuckpointing? Where can I find a carpenter to rebuild my staircase?
Technical information about good historic rehabilitation techniques can be found in the National Park Service’s extensive Preservation Briefs.
What architectural style is my house?
An online source that could help answer this question is published by This Old House. Virginia and Lee McAlester’s book A Field Guide to American Houses is a favorite reference for Landmarks’ staff. We have multiple copies of the Field Guide in our office library.
Where can I find definitions of architectural terms?
One of the best online resources for architectural terms is the Buffalo Illustrated Architecture Dictonary.
Who should I contact if I have concerns about a building in my neighborhood?
The city of St. Louis Citizen’s Service Bureau has a website where residents can report their concerns; be sure to have the address of the building in question handy.