Cape Girardeau home has interesting story to tell

This home has a number of features no longer found in newer homes. It was constructed in 1908, one of three homes built by the Sheppelman family. Through touches like beautiful woodwork, beveled glass, stained glass, and a dining room light from the St. Louis World's Fair, this home has an interesting story to tell about a time of grace and dignity.

It is a brick home with 2,300 square feet of above ground space. The home, which has housed only two families in its lifetime, has been lovingly preserved and improved through time.

The front entrance features two charming lion statues on each side of the front porch entrance, surely a sign of safety and royalty. It's a wonderful porch for a summer's evening chat with the neighbors. The foyer area features new hardwood flooring that is still true to the design and feel of the home. Ornate tile is found in many areas of the home -- on the ceiling and on several of the fireplaces that add warmth and character to the house. The home features beautiful woodwork throughout, including French doors, railings, and trim. Original beveled and stained glass also is found throughout the home.

An elegant living room showcases a charming fireplace with inlaid tile, and each room on the first level features lighting fixtures that are all original to the home.

The formal dining room also has a fireplace with ornate tile, and its original mantle, which has been completely restored. A large bay window along with that fixture from the St. Louis World's Fair give the room beautiful light and stately grace.

The kitchen, though true to its original design, has been updated with a new dishwasher and other modern appliances, yet it still has its original butler's pantry.

The home has four bedrooms, all on the second level, each decorated to the home's time period. The master bedroom has a beautiful, large bay window. Some of the original picture hanging systems and curtain rods remain in the bedrooms.

Also on the second floor is a deck area, the perfect vantage point to see the day begin.

The attic is not finished, but easily could be turned into yet another magnificent feature of the house. It features 18-foot ceilings and is roughed in for a bath.

Finishing touches

The basement is finished, and adds a less formal family entertainment area to the house. It features a wood stove and full bath.

The house still uses its original steam boiler method of heating, but also has an electrical heating system.

Almost as interesting as the house is its yard. A shady brick patio is made from bricks that came from Cape Girardeau's old opera house, now the Royal N'Orleans Restaurant. This piece of Cape Girardeau's history came to the house after a fire at the restaurant several years ago.

The home also has a wealth of parking with a three-car garage and another one-car garage with a shop all housed charmingly to the rear of the house. The house features new gutters and siding, and two central air conditioners.

This house in the Franklin Elementary School district, is available through Prudential Bridgeport Realtors for $189,900.

traddle@semissourian.com