One-Room Houses
One-room houses represent some of the earliest structures built in St. Louis, and very few remain. At first these houses were undoubtedly made of horizontal logs or hand-hewn frame; remaining examples are constructed of manufactured lumber or brick. Those that still stand all have undergone substantial alteration. Most one-room structures contained a small loft space above the main room, for storage or additional sleeping space, reached by an interior enclosed stair; an entry at the front or side, and one or more windows. The house provided minimum shelter: all activities, including cooking and sleeping, were necessarily confined in a single room. But it had the advantage of being inexpensive and quick to construct, and could easily be enlarged should the owner’s fortunes improve. (St. Louis, 1995)