Hiking And Walking Tour of Faust Park

Faust Park includes numerous historic buildings, a former Governor’s Mansion, the Butterfly House, and a hike along Missouri River hills.

I hiked a trail that goes along the Missouri River hills along with doing a walking tour of the historic village.

FAUST HISTORIC VILLAGE

Many St. Louis County 19th-century structures were lost to St. Louis County’s suburban development.

The St. Louis County Parks Department rescued or rebuilt 20 buildings originally built and located in St. Louis County. Buildings date from 1840 to 1920 and represent a small town and farm life.

I began my time in the park by walking around the historic village.

Miles A. See Carriage House

It is all that is left of the former Miles A. See estate that once included an elegant Queen Anne-style house in Jennings.

Hoch House

Once located along Chesterfield Parkway and Olive Boulevard. Constructed around 1880 in the style of a typical German brick cottage.

Yokel Barn

A timber-framed structure now used as a woodworking shop and once located at Chesterfield Parkway and Conway Road.

Conway House And Grounds

It is an elegant 1850s home built by Dr. Frederick Bates, son of Missouri’s second governor. It was originally located across Olive Boulevard from the park entrance.

By the house is the Warmbodt Summer Kitchen, constructed in Lemay in the 1850s. A heritage garden features medicinal, fragrance, culinary and ornamental plants from the 19th century.

Mertz Cabin

The former home of Ludwig and Salome Mertz is a single-room house constructed in 1848.

Once located in a small German community in the county called New Alsace now part of Maryville University.

By the cabin is the Wiehage Smokehouse and gardens along with a beehive oven used for baking outdoors during the hot summer months plus an outhouse and woodshed.

Davis House

Built around 1817 and at one time was a two-story log home. By the house, there is a washhouse, smokehouse, and gardens.

Sellenriek Barn

A log structure with a timber-framed extension was probably built before the Civil War. Frank’s farm was originally located across from the Mormon Temple on Highway 40 in present-day Town and Country

Schlueter-Bright Barn

Constructed in 1868 was at one time along Sulphur Springs Road, south of Manchester on modern Catania Drive.

African Schoolhouse

The schoolhouse was built in Chesterfield in 1894. It was used for 60 years and closed with the integration of schools in 1954. Then through various funding campaigns it was relocated and restored to be placed in the historic village.

Alt Schoolhouse

Originally located on Reinke Road in Ellisville. Built by the members of the Evangelical Lutheran Concordia Congregation UAC, formed in 1851. Erected initially as a log church in 1854.

Spanish Lake Blacksmith Shop

Once located near the intersection of Bellefontaine Road and Parker Road and was built by Jacob Wilhelm. Blacksmithing took place in the shop from 1874 until 1993.

Fenton Mercantile

Built by John DeSalme and Henry Ludwig in 1908 to replace a blacksmith shop that stood at the intersection of Main Street and Ware Street in Fenton. The mercantile was in business until 1942.

Plank Road

By the village is an example of a plank road. These wooden roads constructed in the 1800s would have been the way to travel back then.

Thornhill Estate

I headed out of the village to explore more of the park. I went to the Thornhill Estate located on the backside of the park down a road behind the Butterfly House. It was once the home of Fredrick Bates, the second governor of Missouri, and located on its original site. Completed in 1819 and built in the Federal style with high ceilings, woodwork, and an asymmetrical floor plan.

Along with the house, the property includes two barns, a granary, a family cemetery, a blacksmith shop, an icehouse, and a smokehouse.

A detached kitchen is located away from the main house. This was a common practice since they were known to burn an average of once every three years.

**At the trailhead. It is rated as difficult since it goes up and down Missouri River hills.**

GOVERNOR BATES TRAIL HIKE

I hiked the 1.3-mile Governor Bates Trail. The trailhead is in front of the Thornhill Estate and begins near a field.

Start of the Trail

Along the trail across the road was a small lake with cottages around it.

Then the walk winds along the hills and the estates before finally heading into the woods.

Two benches provide for a stop and lookout before the trail descends a hill.

At the bottom was a wooden bridge that crossed a creek.

Next, the trail went back up into the hills which provided quite the workout.

More Historic Buildings

I passed by the Lamella Barn on its original site towards the end of the trail.

The Lamella Barn is circular and does away with girders, trusses, and joists. It was part of the 1920s Edward Faust estate on the park property which is now part of the area I walk through heading to the parking lot. I walk along a service road that intersects with Henry Jackson Road.

Another barn with large red roofs was once used for dairy cattle, horses, and cars.

A greenhouse is nearby. This part of the walk is along Henry Jackson Road going south.

A chicken coop done in the pueblo style was down the path. Windows stair-step to a tower. Each year it is estimated that about 100 of these chickens were used to feed the Faust family and the rest for their eggs.

In front of the Caretaker's House — *In front of the Caretaker’s House*

Caretaker’s House has a front porch with circular entrances and is done in adobe. It is currently a private residence.

The main house of the Faust Estate was built, for Leicester Busch Faust, in the Pueblo Revival Style and designed by Tom P. Barnett. It is currently used by Webster University and houses their Community Music School.

I walked around the house since I love this type of architecture. Remains of the birdbath and garden with Spanish tiles can be seen by the front of the house facing Olive Boulevard. (This was main the picture for the blog post.)

Then I went to the right heading back to the parking lot along History Lane.

OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THE PARK

Saint Louis Carousel

Housed in a building with a gift shop can be a fun ride for a kid. It has more than 60 hand-carved horses and deer. Built in 1921 by the Dentzel Company of Philadelphia. It was once part of the Forest Park Highlands Amusement Park in St. Louis

Hours: 10 am – 2 pm Tuesday – Friday, 10 am – 4 pm Saturday – Sunday ( last ride at 3:30 pm)

Admission: $2

Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House

More than a thousand live tropical butterflies fly freely in the glass conservatory. Also, you watch a butterfly emerge from a chrysalis, see insect collections on display in Small Wonders, or go outside and visit native and migrating species in the Native Butterfly Garden.

Hours: 10 am – 4 pm

Admission: $8 for ages 13 and up, $5 for ages 3-12, 65 + $5. Residents of St. Louis City and County are free on the first Tuesdays of the month from 10 am to noon.

More To Do

The park also has a playground, shelter, restroom, and concert stage.

DETAILS

Drive: Take Interstate 64 to exit 20 and stay on N. Outer Forty Road to Chesterfield Parkway E. and go right onto it. Then make a right onto Olive Boulevard and then look for the park entrance on the left.

Park Hours: 8 a.m. to 30 minutes past sunset

Address: 15025 Faust Pk, Chesterfield, MO 63017