This website is dedicated to promoting and celebrating the economic and social value of historic preservation, immigration, and community building.
Click on any underlined word or phrase to reveal more information about the subject.
The house remains a private residence and is not open to the public.
Passersby slow down to admire and learn about this historic treasure.
Slezak House is a charming federal-style workman's cottage in the heart of the
Soulard Historic District.
Slezak House stands with hundreds of other properties in Soulard as an icon of
cultural heritage, history
and architecture.
Who Needs Old Buildings?
A short answer from Vancouver...
The Soulard Historic District is a group of building in the City of St. Louis that have been designated
as important because of their history and heritage.
Soulard is the oldest residential district or neighborhood in St. Louis.
For people today, historic buildings have a story waiting to be discovered.
People who own historic buildings are stewards and accept the implicit responsibility to protect, preserve, and enhance them because they offer benefits to the nation, state and community.
A short answer from Vancouver...People who own historic buildings are stewards and accept the implicit responsibility to protect, preserve, and enhance them because they offer to the nation, state and community.
The Soulard Ethos
Ethos is a Greek word meaning “character”. For Soulard, the underlying spirit and sentiment of the neighborhood, both buildings and people, is the most important benefit.
Soulard has entered a period of heightened historical importance!
2010 marked the beginning of the 150 anniversary of the American Civil War.
President Abraham Lincoln was elected in 1860 and the American Civil War began in 1861.
Many of the buildings in Soulard are also nearing 150 years old and appear much as they did during
the of Lincoln and the war.
There are very few neighborhoods in the nation as intact as Soulard, where visitors can experience
the look and feel of the mid- to later-1800s.
See the Sesquicentennial Page for more details.
Discover more about the American Civil War in St. Louis and Missouri.
To honor the Bohemian immigrants who settled in Soulard and first lived in Slezak House, the flag of the Czech Republic will be displayed during the sesquicentennial of the house in 2010-2011.
2010 marked the beginning of the 150 anniversary of the American Civil War. was elected in 1860 and the began in 1861.Many of the buildings in Soulard are also nearing 150 years old and appear much as they did during the of Lincoln and the war.There are very few neighborhoods in the nation as intact as Soulard, where visitors can experience the look and feel of the mid- to later-1800s. Discover more about the American Civil War in and .
What's New?
William Busch launched Kraftig brewing.
Many new businesses have opened in Soulard in 2012.
Soulard is now categorized by the U.S. Census Bureau as Upper Income.
(There are four categories: low, moderate, middle, and upper)
There is a new video of the 2011 summer garden on the Photos page.
Please visit Slezak House on Facebook.
Soulard Restoration Group has a new website.
Soulard Business Association launched a terrific new website.
Official end of Busch family involvement with AB-Inbev.
Summer 2011 repair and renovation list for the Slezak House...see The House Page.
Soulard named a Preserve America community.
Czech Republic launches beautiful new website.
Soulard neighbors assisted in preventing the demolition of a Civil War era house at
1925-27 S. 10th Street.
Since then, the owner has collasped the building, kicking back against the Soulard Ethos.
Slezak House neighbor studio|durham designed buildings for City Garden in downtown St. Louis.
The community newspaper, The Soulard Renaissance, in now online.
Joanie's is the best casual restaurant in Soulard.
Bogart's Smokehouse is open and a huge hit in Soulard.
Currently, there is one property available near Slezak House:
1869 S. 10th Street - a Civil War era house for sale.
This photo from Soulard shows the type of problem property sometimes common in historic neighborhoods.
What could possibly be done with a house is in this condition?
This photo shows the same house after the Soulard Ethos was applied. It has been sold and the new owner has further invested in a custom garage, flagstone patio, ironwork, and extensive landscaping.
More About the Civil War Era House at 1925-27 South 10th Street
(excerpts from 2009 Cultural Resources Office)
"As a Federal Style historic building, it is one of the earliest types of buildings still extant in St. Louis. These buildings were constructed in the years between 1840 and 1885."
"City records indicate that the site is currently owned by an entity called "Rehab Girls, LLC". "Rehab Girls, LLC" shares an office address with Rothchild Development, and all correspondence from the owner's representative has been written on Rothchild Development letterhead."
The building as it appears today.
The same owner also caused the collaspe of 1800 S. 10th Street.
The photo below is of the building as it appeared.
