Historical February–March 2003 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Over one hundred onlookers braved frigid temperatures on Saturday January 11 to watch as the house at 201 Westgate was moved to a new location in the 6300 block of Pershing. Crews had been working at the site for several weeks, demolishing the foundation of the 2-story, 2300 square foot home, and erecting a hydraulic-powered system of wheels beneath the house.
On the morning of the move, dozens of onlookers were on hand by 7:00 AM, as work crews made final preparations. About 8:30 AM, preparations were complete, and the house lurched slowly from its site, and into the Forest Park Parkway.
As the house sat in the middle of the Parkway, crews began the time consuming task of raising each section of the house and turning the wheels underneath so the house could be moved 700 feet east to its new location. Forest Park Parkway remained closed for most of the day.
The move was necessitated by the impending Cross-County MetroLink Expansion, which would have brought the light rail line within a few feet of the house at its original location. Washington University paid for the move.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the University purchased the lot for the new lot for the home for $150,000, and the move itself cost $88,500. Including the cost of tuckpointing and a new foundation, the Post reported that the total cost of the relocation was expected to exceed $350,000. Throughout the day, spectators observed the activities, many sipping hot chocolate or coffee and bundled up against the cold weather.
With dozens of area residents in attendance, the atmosphere was similar to a neighborhood festival. “It was really a lot of fun,” said Sam Green of 61XX Westminster. “It was such an amazing site, something few people would ever have a chance to see, and it was great to witness it with our kids and grandkids and friends and neighbors.”
Original photograph caption
House captioned 601 Westgate, moved to spare lot on Pershing by Expert House Movers. Photo by Andy Cross.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February–March 2003.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Article says 201 Westgate, while both photograph captions say 601 Westgate. Source conflict retained without guessing correct address.
Original source: SD_Times2003_02.pdf, printed page(s) 1, 6; PDF page(s) 1, 6.
