| A chronological summary of the life of Samuel Cupples |
 |
| 1887 |
Building permit filed with the City of St. Louis for a two-story
residence at 3673 West Pine. Estimated cost: $150,000. Architect:
Thomas B. Annan.
|
| 1888 |
Construction began on the house and stables. The stables were located
directly south of the house between West Pine and Laclede Avenues. The
stables were built to include a blacksmith shop, horse stalls, servants'
quarters, and a kitchen. A tunnel connected the house from the basement
to the stables.
Artisans were brought over from Scotland to carve the decorative
stonework on the main house. |
| 1890 |
The house was completed and was now three stories and much over budget.
The original design included a flat porch area at the back elevation and
a narrow porch with a roof on the back northeast elevation.
St. Louis Business Directory lists 3673 as Mr. Cupples' official
address. |
| 1893 |
Building permit filed with the City of St. Louis by the Jesuits to build
DuBourg Hall at Grand and Lindell. It was rumored that Mr. Cupples was
perturbed with the Jesuits because this large building cut off his eastern
view. |
| 1905 |
Building permit filed with the City of St. Louis to enclose the back porches.
The flat porch became a round conservatory and playroom with a glass skylight.
The narrow porch was closed in and became the servants's dining room.
The architect of record was Theodore Link, designer of Union Station. |
| 1906 |
Building permit filed to erect a greenhouse west of the main house. |
| 1919 |
The house was sold to the Brotherhood of Railroad Telegraphers for their
corporate headquarters. |
| Date Unknown |
Stables demolished |
| 1946 |
Saint Louis University purchases the house to be used for classrooms and a
student union. |
| 1973 |
The structure was to be demolished to make way for a new building.
Fr. Maurice McNamee, S.J., petitioned the University President, Fr. Reinert, S.J.,
to give him a few years to restore the building. With the help of
University students, Fr. McNamee began the interior restorations. |
| 1975 |
The house opened to the public for the first time, empty of furniture. |
| 1976 |
Samuel Cupples House was designated a historic building on the National
Register of Historic Places. |
| Late 1970s |
The exterior of the house was cleaned to remove 90 years of soot. Throughout
St. Louis, homes and commercial buildings were covered with industrial
soot from the coal burning factories. |
| 1980s |
The lower level was redesigned to become an art gallery and art storage area. |
| 1989 |
Cupples House was cited by the National Victorian Society as an outstanding
example of historic preservation and restoration. |
| 2004 |
The Conservatory was remodeled and renamed the Harris Education Center that is
fully handicapped accessible and features touch tour computer visuals for the
sight impaired and closed-captioned videos for the hearing impaired. |
