Pavement Ends
James Baughn was the webmaster of seMissourian.com and its sister newspapers for 20 years. On the side, he maintained even more sites, including Bridgehunter.com, LandmarkHunter.com, TheCapeRock.com, and Humorix. Baughn passed away in 2020 while doing one of the things he loved most: hiking in Southeast Missouri. Here is an archive of his writing about hiking and nature in our area.
A look inside the Frizel-Welling House
Posted Wednesday, April 30, 2014, at 5:00 PM
Last year, I wrote about the Frizel-Welling House in Jackson and its listing as one of Missouri's Most Endangered Historic Places.
The situation has improved greatly since then. A new owner -- Steve Ford of Franklin, Tennessee -- has purchased the property and intends to turn it into a museum.
Although the home does need dollar-intensive structural repairs, it won't take much to turn it into a museum. It's practically there already. During last weekend's Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive, the living room and dining room were opened to allow the public to look inside.
These rooms are both in the "newer" section of the house, dating to 1838. (The oldest portion dates to ca. 1818.)
The furnishings have changed little over the decades. Compare the fireplace today with a photo taken in 1938; even the clock on the mantel is the same!
One notable item on the wall in the living room is the Masonic apron painted by Sarah Bollinger for her husband, Joseph Frizel, the co-founder of Jackson's first Masonic lodge.
Even the more mundane fixtures of the house are intriguing, such as the vintage push-button light switches. It's possible these date back to 1908, when the house was wired for electricity -- the first private residence in Jackson with such an amenity.
Just based on seeing two rooms, it's clear that the Frizel-Welling House is a real gem. It will make a fine museum.
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