For sale - A piece of Missouri's history

Anyone looking for a home to buy can find plenty of choices and price ranges in the classified ads of the Southeast Missourian. But one choice opportunity was recently listed in a news story, and the house in question is a rare find.

It is the Jean Baptiste Valle home in Ste. Genevieve, Mo., which was constructed in 1794 when George Washington was president. The Valle home may be one of the most historic private homes in Missouri.

The current elderly owners of the Valle home had planned to donate the property to the community. But mounting medical bills mean they need to sell the home to cover their expenses. They are asking $325,000.

If the home is to be sold, it can only be hoped that the buyer will be willing to preserve its rich past. For a relatively modest price, someone will own one of the state's most significant pieces of history.