Magnificent memories

A house with a story to tell -- that is the home at 1621 Bloomfield St. It's a story of people who helped found Cape Girardeau. It's a story of life's promises and disappointments. It's a story of children grown and life's changes -- all in this three-story Georgian revival home, which was built at the turn of the century.

Every room in this home is part of the story. You realize that from the moment your feet step onto the tile front porch -- the type of large front porch that you don't see anymore. The front door has one of those old-fashioned mail slots where the mailman actually delivers your mail to your door. The porch, which offers shade and haven, is just a hint of the elegant way of living that today seems to be a thing of the past.

The rooms inside are all spacious with high ceilings and hardwood floors -- the real thing -- not parquet.

There is elegance and ambience to be found in every corner. An old-fashioned parlor was once the writing spot of a Southeast Missouri author. The formal dining room with its elegant waffle ceiling, crystal chandelier, built-in cabinetry with original leaded glass, and solid oak paneling, was surely the setting of many a stylish dinner party.

The spacious living room has the original fireplace mantle adorning its working fireplace. Through old-fashioned French doors one can wander into the sunroom/front porch to enjoy sunny days, even in winter. On the backside of the house, a luminous breakfast room overlooks the gardens of the house, carefully cultivated and maintained through the years with its original arbors. A large patio is also in the backyard, perfect for outdoor entertaining and summer barbeques. The home's lot is nearly an acre with a magnificent magnolia tree gracing the front yard.

The kitchen is charming, yet modern, and attaches to an old-fashioned butler's pantry. Also on the main floor is a small Victorian-styled powder room, with a pedestal sink and old-fashioned toilet.

Going upstairs one climbs the completely refinished stairs, stopping to admire a stained glass window on the staircase landing between floors. The bedrooms upstairs are all large with 9-foot ceilings, well-able to accommodate antique furniture, which frequently overwhelms rooms in more modern houses. Featured in one of the five bedrooms of the house is a coal-burning fireplace, which can also use wood. The upstairs bathroom also has a Victorian-style pedestal sink, and the original hexagon marble tile. The radiators in each of the rooms provide not only heat, but old-fashioned elegance. The home's boiler has been replaced in recent years.

Perhaps the most charming part of the house is the third floor, which was originally built as the children's loft. It features painted wooden floors and charming dormer windows with window seats that double as toy chests. The children's floor bathroom is one of the most delightful features of the house. The original bathroom fixtures are all scaled to the size of a child. A small toilet, sink and wondrous bathtub make this room such a unique teller of the house's history.

Also telling the story of the house's history is a painted recollection on the children's room wall. Painted by the most recent owner of the house, it tells the story of the house from its beginnings. According to the history, the land for the home was purchased in 1849 by William Bierwith and was given to his daughter, Elizabeth, in 1873. The house itself was built by John D. Porterfield in 1918. Through the years, six families have loved and lived their lives in this house, all seemingly very reluctant to leave its solid walls.

Priced at $224,900, this stately home is again reluctantly being offered for sale by its loving owners. It is available for viewing through Prudential Bridgeport, 335-0121.

traddle@semissourian.com