[Block 62A]

The southern half of this block was owned by Arend Rutgers. Rutgers emigrated to America from the Netherlands, and after wandering with his family for about 15 years through the eastern portions of the United States, came to St. Louis to settle. His daughter Mary Jeronima Rutgers married Antoine Provenchere in 1803. The Rutgers house was built about 1790, was of poteaux en terre (posts in earth) construction, and measured 31 x 23 feet.

This picture of the Bolduc House in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, gives some conception of the size and style of a large post in earth construction house like that of the Rutgers family. The Bolduc House has a "gallerie" or porch which surrounds the entire structure. Note also the log palisade which encompasses the property. St. Louis homeowners were urged to build the same type of palisade around their homes by the Spanish authorities. The Bolduc House is one of the premiere examples of French colonial architecture in America. Built about 1770, it is restored, furnished and open to the public.

This picture of the gallerie around the Bolduc House in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri gives some conception of the house's construction. The gallerie, or porch, kept the house cool in the summer months and was a pleasant place to rest, relax and for the children to play