The Chatillon-DeMenil Mansion one of St. Louis' landmarks, was originally built in 1848 by Henri Chatillon as a four-room brickfarmhouse. In 1856 Dr. Nicolas DeMenil purchased the home as a summer retreat. Toprovide the DeMenils with a permanent residence, the Creole style farmhouse wastransformed into a Greek Revival Mansion. The work, begun in 1861 was completedin 1863 by architect Henry Pitcher. The elaborately furnished mansion providesa perfect example of a wealthy families' Victorian home.
The home was occupied by 3 generations of the DeMenilfamily. In 1945 the Mansion was purchased to access the "Cherokee Caves" beneath the area as a tourist attraction. The Mansion was marked for demolition in theearly 1960s to make way for Interstate 55. The Landmarks Association bought theproperty from the State of Missouri Highway Commission. The home was restoredto its former splendor and is now controlled by the Chatillon-DeMenilFoundation. Café' DeMenil is now located in the original carriage house. TheHome is open for tours.