The Hawken House in Webster Groves
Webster Groves, Missouri
Webster Groves is located 10 miles (16 km) southwest of St. Louis and was originally known to fur trappers and Indians as Dry Ridge before 1845. Prior to 1802, this property had changed hands from French to Spanish rule before it returned to French. Following the Louisiana Purchase in the same year, ownership of the Territory changed to American.
The area kept growing as people came from downtown St. Louis city to settle in the cleaner areas located further out, using the Pacific Railroad to commute. The railroad played a crucial role in the growth and development of the area. The railroad came to have subdivisions alongside train stations and the railroad itself. Webster Groves, MO was incorporated in 1896 and the annexing of Old Orchard in 1897 saw its size increase dramatically. Over the decades, the town has continued to grow and prosper to become a city with stunningly beautiful homes of different architectural styles to reflect diverse influences. Today, families living in the city take great pride in their precious historical homes, gardens, and yards.
History of the Museum
The Hawken House was Christopher and Mary Ann Hawken’s home. Built in 1857, the house has been owned by the Hawken Family ever since that time, up to 1912. Many families have since found a home in this house before it was purchased and relocated to its current location. The house has since been graciously furnished to its modern status that reflects a post-Civil War Home. Niclaus Hacken, Christopher Hawken’s great grandfather, traveled from Switzerland and arrived in America in 1750 and settled in York County, Pennsylvania. He has a family history of gun-smithing, Christopher’s ancestors began making rifles for the U.S. army. Christopher’s father, Jacob, relocated to St. Louis in 1807 and began making the Hawken Rifle on the Mississippi Riverfront before he was joined by his younger brother, Samuel in 1822. Jacob married Catherine Allison the same year and bought their first home at Main and Washington Streets.
The Hawken Rifle came to be known as the “the gun that settled the west”, as it was considered as a prized possession by many famous westward trappers and explorers, including Jim Bridger, Kit Carson, Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone, John Fremont, and Robert Campbell, a popular St. Louis fur trader.
The Hawken House is historic and it is nestled behind the Hearth Room, a banquet hall suited for birthday parties, family reunions, business meetings, business parties, showers, wedding receptions, seminars, and family reunions. Hawken House tours, however, occur by appointment only. You can call to make a reservation.
The Hawken House gives you the opportunity to learn about the history of the City of Webster Groves while having your business or personal meetings. Learn about historic sites for purposes of education or networking. You can bring a few of your friends along for a chance to promote the historic preservation of the area.
Schwartz Brothers Landscape Solutions offers the best mowing and trimming services in the St Louis area.
Driving directions from our office to The Hawken House in Webster Groves
Get on I-270 S from Enterprise Way and St Charles Rock Rd
Merge onto I-270 S
Take exit 5A to merge onto I-44 E/US-50 E toward St Louis
Take exit 278 for Big Bend Rd
Keep right at the fork and merge onto Big Bend Rd
Continue on Big Bend Rd. Drive to S Rock Hill Rd in Webster Groves
The destination will be on the right
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