Written by Southeast Missouri State University Student Guest Blogger Laura Williams

This blog series is presented through a partnership between the Historic Preservation Commission of Cape Girardeau, the Historic Preservation Program at Southeast Missouri State University, and Old Town Cape.



       When Cape Girardeau County residents visit the Tax Assessors Office, located behind the Court of Common Pleas at 44 N. Lorimier St., they probably do not realize they are also visiting the original Cape Girardeau Carnegie Library. In 1914, shortly after the City opened its first public library in the Ellingood Building on the corner of Spanish and Themis, new conversations began about how to best fund and construct a bigger and more accessible building that would be able to accommodate the needs of the quickly growing town. Ideas became more substantial plans in 1916 when the Women’s Council of Clubs was the recipient of a $20,000 construction pledge from the Carnegie group for a new library building.  After WWI temporarily interrupted progress, the Women’s Council was able to retake the torch, and in 1921 the Carnegie Corporation reaffirmed its financial support for the project through a $25,000 donation, with the stipulation that the citizens must contribute the remaining $5,000 needed for the project. The residents of Cape Girardeau did more than just affirm their support for a new library building, but also proved their enthusiasm by raising $11,000, more than twice the necessary amount. 

            The original structure, finished in 1922, was one of the last libraries funded by the Carnegie Corporation. Costing $30,000 to construct, the Collegiate Gothic Style building features a flat roof with a limestone cornice line and window surround and red brick laid in the English bond pattern. In 1959, a new foyer designed by prolific architect and Cape Girardeau native John Boardman, was added onto the main entry, significantly altering the physical appearance. This addition had a much more modern architectural style, with a distinctive and prominent curved wall, made from rough-cut ashlar limestone. As the needs of the community continued to grow, the Public Library moved to its current location on Clark St. in 1980 and Cape Girardeau County took over the old building for offices.

            The old Carnegie Library building served the City of Cape Girardeau as a vital source of information and a repository for educational materials for almost 60 years and continues to serve the public’s needs today.

This post is written by Kevin Taylor, Development & Resources Coordinator at Old Town Cape.

Renovations can revive historic buildings from a vacant and unattractive state and, when done right, can reveal a glimpse of the past. If you have driven down Broadway recently, you have probably noticed the work taking place on Philanthropy's façade. The building was once covered by a false stucco façade but has now been returned to its former glory.

The stucco finish is used to modernize buildings that were built decades ago and many people don't understand or take the time to learn what it takes to restore a historic property, so they take the easy way out. The building materials back then were very different than they are today, and it's important to understand how new materials will affect them before beginning work.

The first and most common mistake made when working with historic buildings is using the wrong mortar for tuck-pointing. Have you ever heard someone say "They don't make things like they used to?" Well, the same holds true with building materials. Most of today's material are manufactured in bulk and simply aren't built for strength. As a result, today's mortar is much too strong for historic buildings and when combined with stucco, an excessive amount of pressure is applied to the brick or stone, causing it to crack or spall.

However, E.T. Masonry, the company who performed the work on the A.C. Vasterling Building, knows how to do the job right. They began by taking a sample of the original mortar used on the façade and had it tested to find out the components of it. In doing so, they were able to make sure they used the right composition of mortar, so the façade wouldn't be harmed. The results came back and they determined that a Type O mortar should be used, which is composed of a softer material that will keep the stone safe.

Jay O'Neail also told me that he hasn't seen a building with the same material anywhere else in Cape Girardeau and understands the importance of preserving it. What was once believed to be a type of limestone is now believed to be Carthage stone, which is more of a marble and is very unique.

Preserving historic buildings can be very challenging and many do not understand the difference between those and new builds. Companies like E.T. Masonry help preserve our community by giving us a way to restore the past and give part of Cape Girardeau its history back. Philanthropy is based on giving back to the community, and now their façade is doing just that! This building is full of history and is a prime example of why historic preservation is important to downtown Cape.

This post is written by guest blogger, Kevin Taylor, Development & Resources Coordinator at Old Town Cape.

The recent work on Broadway due to the streetscape project has some wondering why projects like this one are so important to downtown Cape and historic communities in general. Since May is Historic Preservation month, there is no better time than the present to help you understand the science behind the project and how it has made downtown safer and more pedestrian friendly. And, as a result, exciting businesses have been enhanced because the area is now a destination that attracts more visitors.

Some view the change in parking along Broadway and the new crosswalks as a deterring factor, but both of these additions actually encourage drivers to slow down because the street is narrower and there is an increase in pedestrian traffic. As a bonus, the drivers have time to glance at the variety of businesses downtown as they are passing by and will perhaps make a pit stop.

Another feature that makes pedestrians feel safe is the bump-outs on each curb along Broadway. When driving down Broadway and turning onto Main Street, you will notice that the curb protrudes far away from the sidewalk. In the past if you were waiting outside of Renaissance for your significant other to finish her shopping, for example, you may have felt unsafe because the traffic was so close to you. That is no longer an issue because you are now tucked away from the traffic.

All of these features have also allowed Old Town Cape to finally do something that has been in the works for quite some time - bring more art to downtown Cape. In April, the Cape Girardeau Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit was launched with seven pieces placed along Broadway. These sculptures, whether you do or don't love them, have brought many people downtown to take a peek. In fact, The Corner Grocery Store shared with me that they have had an increase in customers due to keeping track of those who stop in while checking out the art. If that doesn't tell you something about the success of the changes along Broadway and downtown in general, I don't know what will!

Creating a safer and more inviting atmosphere is definitely the key to helping businesses be successful and bringing more traffic downtown. Old Town Cape is already a place that people are excited to visit, so everything that we can do to make them feel more welcome will only help the area succeed. I'm confident that the same positive impact will be seen on Main Street in the near future after the upcoming improvements are completed. Then, we'll have a thriving district no matter which street you are on! 

One of the coolest places downtown is a small studio located on Main Street, The Artist Studio. Owner and artist, Judy Barks-Westrich, has designed a simple and elegant gallery that is very down to earth. I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with my friend and neighbor to get the inside scoop on how to bring art into our every day lives.

Claire: Thank you Judy for sitting down with me. So first question: Why did you open The Artist Studio?

Judy: When I was teaching, parents would comment "wish I had art class like this when I was in high school"...thus, in March 2005 I opened The Artist Studio. One of my goals - workshops geared towards adults with little or not training in the arts to experience creative pleasure.

Claire: It is a good point that you can learn to paint or draw at any age. Why do you feel that it is important for people to have art in their lives?

Judy: Art is important for people because it fulfills simple pleasure. Art entertains, enlightens and educated! It also affects your health, mood and emotion. There is no language barrier in art - it is universal. People don't have to necessarily like art; that is the aesthetic taste and the beauty of art because there are so many different styles. But awareness of art gives people visibility into the imagination and it is inspiring.

Claire: One of my favorite things here are your mini abstract paintings. For folks who don't know about them, why do they make such a great gift?

Judy: The minis make a perfect give because of their convenient size, lower price-point and appealing design to young and old. The minis are miniature fine acrylic paintings and they are totally abstract but give the illusion of landscapes - they're colorful, textural and dramatic. Each is beautifully honored with a custom frame just waiting for a new home. They are great accents for anyone's décor! As a gift, the mini may add to one's original fine art collection or actually help them start one.

Claire: So now that folks are inspired how can they get involved in creating art? Can people schedule a workshop or take a class?

Judy: Yes, workshops are available and the best way to get involved is for people to simply talk to me...whether that's by visiting the studio's Facebook page or calling me at 573-450-2816. Appreciations starts with awareness!

The two-story building located at 609 Broadway recently received some renovations and now houses a unique addition thanks to a couple who have a heart for downtwon Cape, but the story behind the building goes way back.

The building was originally owned by Phil Haman who decided to raze the one-story building, that housed his drugstore, in June 1927 in order to erect a new building at the same location. While the new building was under construction, Haman moved his drugstore to another location on Broadway. In June 1956, C.W. Bauerle purchased the buildling and business from Haman, who had decided to retire after 48 years of being a druggist. Since then, the building has had a few different owners and has been home to many businesses includuing an enterprise operation, a camera shop and a gun store.

Charlie Bertrand, antiquer and owner of Spanish Street Mercantile, originally visited the building last year with the intent of purchasing some old cabinets. Once he realized that all of the cabinets were still intact and that the space housed a lot of historical provenance, he decided that he didn't want to disrupt that. He also soon found out that the upstairs housed a few apartments that were immaculate, but dated.

After some thought on how to move forward, Charlie and his wife, Lisa, purchased the building in early 2012 from Robert and Linda Bohnsack with a vision for the space. The Bertrands had recently stayed in a few vacation rental properties in St. Louis and decided that downtown Cape was missing this element, so they started forming plans to make it happen.

Having done work at Cape's Cream of the Crust, an ice cream shop that is part of Spanish Street Mercantile, they already had the right people on board to carry out the renovations. Tim Roth, a local artist and wood worker, and Raymond Petzoldt, a local carpenter, completed the majority of the work between mid 2012 and early 2013. As Charlie tries to do with all of his projects, they were able to incorporate many unique features into the space including the tin ceiling tile from The Mule Lip that closed in the early 1980s, a banister from a farmhouse in Old Appleton and a desk that belonged to Mr. Haman, the original owner of the building.

The Broadway Loft opened for business in March 2013 and some unique guests have stayed there since, including members of the Native Americans' Water Walk and some of the crew that has been in town for the filming of Gone Girl. More information about the loft along with reservations can be found on Vacation Rentals by Owner and the Cape Girardeau Convention & Visitors Bureau website.

Up until about a year ago the historic A.C. Vasterling building at 407 Broadway was sitting dusty and empty. Some initial TLC was given to the building in 2012 by then owner Seymour Chilton and boutique owner Bridgett Kielhofner. After some renovations to the front retail section, Philanthropy, a women's boutique was opened in June of 2012.

Seymour had visions for the rest of the building, which stood with the majority still empty, unused and in need of an intense rehab, but he decided to sell the property instead.

Enter Cara Naeger and RJ Clements, a sister and brother duo, who run their family business, Clemco Development. Cara and RJ bought the building together 6 months ago, and hit the ground running with Architect, Rebecca Ward and major plans to overhaul the upper floors into luxury apartments aka Vasterling Suites. 

If you've driven Broadway lately, you've probably noticed that the façade of Philanthropy is being restored, too. The building qualified for historic tax credits, so Cara and RJ decided to take advantage of the credits and to adhere to historic standards for the rehab with the help of Rebecca. One of the requirements was to remove the stucco façade and to restore the historic façade that still laid underneath - most likely dating back to 1923 when the building was remodeled from 2 stories to 3. (Pretty exciting for a history nerd like myself!)

I first met Cara about a month ago at Vasterling Suites in the midst of construction and clean up. She met me at the entrance with rushed enthusiasm and paint-stained jeans, and explained that they had to have construction finished in a matter of days for the first tenants arrival date - July 1st. We took a quick tour of the building going through studio apartment options, one bedrooms, artist suites and even a two bedroom so I could get a feel for the place. Historically, she said the building used to house a sausage shop, bowling alley and a rumored underground tavern. 

I visited the Vasterling Suites again on Friday with some of the Old Town Cape crew to take photos of the freshly finished apartments. This time Cara and RJ both took us through the suites. RJ was enjoying the "day off" although we hardly believed he was taking a vacation day while on location. We were all so impressed with the slick work that Clemco Development did in just 6 months. The apartments are beautiful and trendy, and still have some neat, historic details in tact including charming trim throughout the building and original fire doors that now serve as industrial hallway decor.

This is Cara and RJ's first project downtown. They chose downtown and the historic rehab because they love downtown and wanted to contribute something great to the community. In our eyes they've more than accomplished that. More specifically they've created a truly unique living space for some very lucky tenants. 

While so much has been accomplished there are still more plans for the property including an outdoor courtyard, fitness center and additional first floor apartments to name a few. We're really grateful to have another living option downtown, and to see a once vacant, historic structure returned to its shining glory.

If you're interested, apartments are still available for rent ranging from $590 - $990 depending on size and # of rooms. Several amenities are included, and they have the coolest washer and dryers in town - they text you when your laundry is done! Another fun perk is that tenants get 10% off at Philanthropy. Give the Vasterling Suites office number a call at 888.346.0543 and press 1 for Leasing Details. You can also check out the Micro Luxury Apartment here.

Read more about this project on Rebecca Ward's blog, Uncovering the Past.

Author: Toni Eftink is a Project Manager at Element 74 where she leads custom web projects. She has a huge love for downtown Cape Girardeau and small businesses. You can find her on Google+ and Twitter.