The Richest Family You've Never Heard Of: Inside the Desloge's Midwest Mega Mansion (Vouziers)

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  • Опубликовано: 27 ноя 2024

Комментарии • 134

  • @heatherkroeger
    @heatherkroeger 16 дней назад +49

    Hi, my father in law bought Vouzier from Joseph Desloge in 1977 and my husband Rocky grew up there, although they didn't live in the main house. We were married there in 1994. Hal and Carole sold it to Boing after we were married, in 1995. Great job on this presentation. Let me know if you want pictures or any other information on Vouziers. Hal passed away but Carole is alive and well and lives in Paradise Valley, AZ. Vouziers was amazing.

    • @65rosie
      @65rosie 15 дней назад +7

      I knew Hal and Carole when I lived at the end of New Halls Ferry. They were very involved and of great help when we all came together to fight a landfill that BFI wanted to put in at the end of the road at Riverview Quarry.

    • @davidhurt1579
      @davidhurt1579 15 дней назад +1

      Was your father in law in the paper business?

    • @fleurdelis1227
      @fleurdelis1227 15 дней назад +2

      What an amazing final hurrah for the house before it was sold to a corporate entity!!
      By the way … Do the Ks have any ghost stories? They never told any to us - and NOBODY in our family has ever claimed to have seen/experienced one. But ever since hearing stories after the Augustinians moved it - enquiring minds wanna know 😜! Of course, people didn’t really “talk ghosts” when we were growing up - and especially not “the Old Guard.”
      Now I’mma have get off my fat ass and invite you for drinks so we can kibbitz about it 😂 (if you even see this comment 😉)

    • @MP-lq3xx
      @MP-lq3xx 10 дней назад

      interesting...thank you!

    • @Thepoetjewel
      @Thepoetjewel 9 дней назад +1

      Thank you for sharing, wonder if there are any books detailing the legacy of this family? Anyone, thank you.

  • @donaldappel9025
    @donaldappel9025 17 дней назад +15

    Was lucky to visit this estate while the family still owned it, saw the ballroom, The mansion and many other areas on the estate. a beautiful place. Glad at least part of it is still remaining

  • @David-tm8sl
    @David-tm8sl 17 дней назад +20

    Beautiful estate. The staircase was especially beautiful.

  • @devonna6171
    @devonna6171 17 дней назад +9

    I love this house!! While the exterior borders on austere the interior is sheer visual delight. its clean, elegant, (even simplistic) design elements, enhance rather than overwhelm each room. (I would have liked to have seen some of the bedrooms.) Im so glad this home survives and remains useful and enjoyed. Thanks Ken! Wonderful!

  • @donchandler755
    @donchandler755 16 дней назад +10

    What a fantastic place. Glad it still exists.

  • @julieschubert6341
    @julieschubert6341 17 дней назад +22

    I'm pleased that it is being used and appreciated today!

  • @kathygrosvenor7900
    @kathygrosvenor7900 13 дней назад +1

    Thank you so much for introducing this magnificent example of 19th century architecture. As a 73 yr old woman who is ardently interested in architecture, especially that of the grand homes of the World’s elite, the amount of intricate detail amazes me. Can you imagine the hoards of artisans who diligently carved, plastered, iron worked, designed and brought to life the fantastic silk wallpapers, and so many more brilliant people, who presented this home to its owners. There are not enough ways to say thank you for all the information you’ve shared. I regard myself as your biggest fan! (outside of family, friends, of course).

  • @GlendaMasterson
    @GlendaMasterson 12 дней назад +2

    This is just north of where I grew up and so interesting to know about our state’s history and economy. I enjoyed learning about this so very much! Thank you! ❤

  • @gumbyElvis
    @gumbyElvis 15 дней назад +30

    I know this family and was shown a letter from a bottle that washed up on their property. It said something like, "My wife is sick, please help." JlMr. Desloge sent his hired man upstream to try and find whoever wrote the letter. When they couldn't find the letter's author, they decided to build a hospital. I met Joseph Desloge Jr. waiting in line at our local post office. When the clerk at the post office said his name, I said "Desloge, let me shake your hand", he said "why?" I said; "your family donated Johnson Shut-Inns State Park, and it's my favorite place in the state. I always wanted to meet one of you, so I could say thanks." They are very generous people. I have spent a lot of time with them.
    Fun facts, the stones to build the home were all imported from France.
    The home was named for a town in France where Joseph Desloge Sr. was awarded a medal for manning an artillery piece and saving the town.
    The property where the lead was discovered was won in a poker game.

    • @BernardProfitendieu
      @BernardProfitendieu 9 дней назад

      were those kids as bratty as they look in these pictures? they look insufferable

  • @mikenixon2401
    @mikenixon2401 17 дней назад +4

    You are absolutely correct, Ken. I never heard of this specific Desloge family. I have been in Florissant. The largest municipality of St. Louis County, which I thought was their claim to fame. I've probably seen that mansion from outside but did not pay attention. Very nice. Thanks for your report.

  • @davidhurt1579
    @davidhurt1579 15 дней назад +6

    I grew up a couple of miles from this estate. In the late 70s -early 80s it was owned by a family in the paper industry. I believe my sister baby sat there once and the neighbor girls down the street baby sat regularly. Sat at the intersection of New Halls Ferry and Old Jamestown roads and you really couldn't tell what was back there.

  • @mr.x8259
    @mr.x8259 17 дней назад +6

    I am glad to hear this house did not go to waste.

  • @clairwaucaush7225
    @clairwaucaush7225 17 дней назад +56

    I like EVERY room in these old mansions. The BEST part is that it is still standing. Way too many of them have been demolished, and usually for no good reason!

    • @cfgyvr6321
      @cfgyvr6321 16 дней назад +3

      there is a very good reason to tear them down. These houses cost a fortune to maintain and over the years the heirs can't afford the upkeep and the houses slowly turn to ruin. The land however is very valuable and is divided up and sold. As always the answer is Follow the Money.

  • @mileshigh1321
    @mileshigh1321 17 дней назад +29

    It's nice to see photos with the actual people who lived there! Gives the place more life, if you know what I mean!

  • @memsat2001
    @memsat2001 13 дней назад +1

    lOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THE mansion and the estate!!! absolutely gorgeous and breathtaking architecture,woodwork,and interior design!!!

  • @Bella-sd4pq
    @Bella-sd4pq 17 дней назад +3

    Such a beautiful and elegant house. I have never heard of them! Love learning something new.

  • @kurtzimmerman1637
    @kurtzimmerman1637 17 дней назад +3

    I have been in this mansion and the ballroom several times. it's beyond awesome!

  • @caroleckstein3541
    @caroleckstein3541 17 дней назад +29

    It is nice to experience a gilded mansion not from NYC or RI but from St. Louis where I live.

    • @christinacody8653
      @christinacody8653 17 дней назад +3

      Same!

    • @angiemehrtens1320
      @angiemehrtens1320 17 дней назад +1

      Same!!❤❤❤

    • @caroleckstein3541
      @caroleckstein3541 17 дней назад +3

      @@angiemehrtens1320 All of you live in St. Louis?

    • @angiemehrtens1320
      @angiemehrtens1320 17 дней назад

      @@caroleckstein3541 I live actually more towards Desloge. But it is all stuff from the mining where I am from. Lol

    • @DJFone
      @DJFone 16 дней назад +1

      Take a walk or bike ride through the old-world mansions just off Lindell Blvd. @ Kingshighway, near Forest Park.

  • @claudiamann7111
    @claudiamann7111 16 дней назад +3

    Good to heR that it has been saved. I hope it hasn't been altered too much. Thank you so much for sharing.

  • @georgeclarke9344
    @georgeclarke9344 14 дней назад +17

    I worked there when it was the Boeing Leadership Center. It was a nice house and was restored by Boeing. I worked as a Security Officer and closed and locked the house up at night - never saw a ghost but did see a big snake in the basement. Fantastic property now it is owned by a Catholic School.

    • @commonsensical9409
      @commonsensical9409 12 дней назад

      So, the Vatican owns it now. They own a shocking amount of properties worldwide.

    • @kslinaz5668
      @kslinaz5668 10 дней назад +1

      Thanks for the update. Sounds lovely 🎉

  • @maryouellette3181
    @maryouellette3181 14 дней назад +2

    I really appreciate your work on these houses. You make it very interesting!
    My husband and I began watching you when I was bedridden for a time. You really helped me pass the time. We watch on TV so no way to comment or like. Thankyou.

    • @ThisHouse
      @ThisHouse  14 дней назад

      I am so glad you are enjoying the channel. You made my day! Cheers!

    • @maryouellette3181
      @maryouellette3181 14 дней назад

      @ThisHouse 💛

  • @jeffpetrie7744
    @jeffpetrie7744 17 дней назад +3

    Ken thank you for another excellent video! 💕

  • @gayprepperz6862
    @gayprepperz6862 17 дней назад +35

    Saint Louis University hospital used to be called Firmin - Desloge Hospital. They changed the name in the eighties. This should be a caution to all of those who donate hospitals to be built in their name, or donate to universities. Sooner or later they will drop your name. You'll be lucky if they even leave your portrait up. That being said, it is one of the finest hospitals in the midwest, and their trauma services are second to none.

    • @johnpetrakis379
      @johnpetrakis379 17 дней назад +1

      St. Luke Hospital still has the Desloges center

    • @gayprepperz6862
      @gayprepperz6862 16 дней назад

      @@johnpetrakis379 Didn't know that. A far cry from a hospital, but at least they haven't been totally relegated to oblivion. Thanks for heads up!

    • @adamfrbs9259
      @adamfrbs9259 15 дней назад

      Better than Mayo in Rochester MN?

    • @gayprepperz6862
      @gayprepperz6862 15 дней назад +1

      @@adamfrbs9259 That's a
      bit further north, and I'm not sure how it rates as a trauma center, but I didn't say it was the "best", I said "one of the finest". read my post again.

    • @adamfrbs9259
      @adamfrbs9259 15 дней назад

      @gayprepperz6862 a question mark means a question, read my post again and settle down. I'm only alive because of Mayo Rochester after a split pancreas and ruptured spleen for 3 days. Seems good to me, but i didn't have options, there or dead.

  • @janedee6488
    @janedee6488 17 дней назад +4

    So cool that this exists in my home town.

  • @andrewtasch2299
    @andrewtasch2299 3 дня назад

    I grew up right by the mansion. You could only see bits of it from the gated drive entry but was super cool.

  • @jeffg8482
    @jeffg8482 17 дней назад +8

    Very nice Ken! Very lucky family dog too!

  • @BlaineShire
    @BlaineShire 17 дней назад +8

    Beautiful home!

  • @lawrencesiskind3554
    @lawrencesiskind3554 17 дней назад +13

    St. Louis is, in my estimation, the best major city in the country to get a deal on an urban turn of the Twentieth Century aristocratic house at a relatively reasonable price. The neighborhood just north of Forrest Park usually has a few very large, old houses for sale in the 1-3 million dollar range. That kind of money will only get your a two bedroom apartment in New York in a fancy 'hood.

    • @cathcolwell2197
      @cathcolwell2197 16 дней назад

      What is the weather like?

    • @siuguy80
      @siuguy80 15 дней назад

      You’re right, there is no shortage of amazing historic houses in STL. Some that need a little work selling for under $100k

    • @jeffwebb2966
      @jeffwebb2966 7 дней назад +1

      I bought one 7 years ago! Yes, STL has many great inexpensive mansions for sure

    • @jeffwebb2966
      @jeffwebb2966 7 дней назад

      ​@@cathcolwell2197not too bad, it does get cold but not terrible

  • @susanmolnar9606
    @susanmolnar9606 17 дней назад +1

    Thanks Ken. I’m so happy you’re so knowledgeable about architecture. Another RUclipsr tries to do this and is a total failure. Your great.

  • @wendygeaux
    @wendygeaux 17 дней назад

    Each time I watch one of your videos, I find myself tensing up in suspense a bit for the end, where we find out if the houses are still standing or not. Happily relieved this time. Lol. Thank you for your awesome videos! These old mansions are amazing.

  • @gandfgandf5826
    @gandfgandf5826 17 дней назад +1

    Beautiful. Love the interiors. Grand, but also well proportioned. Also like the comparatively austere exterior. The symmety. Love a faux chataeux. This one might be my new favourite on this channel. Thanks Ken.

  • @kenbarkdoll7252
    @kenbarkdoll7252 17 дней назад +2

    I enjoyed this tour. The salon, or living room was my favorite, which us saying a lot as I usually prefer the library.

  • @VintagebyJim
    @VintagebyJim 14 дней назад +1

    Both my grandma & grandpa worked for Desloge and so did my mom. My grandma was their housekeeper and my grandpa took care of his horses. They stayed right down the road in the white block house.my mom helped cooked the meals.

  • @debbiem9218
    @debbiem9218 9 дней назад

    Another great video and yes I did not know or had ever heard of this family. It was nice to see that they were able to keep a somewhat private life. I have a girlfriend who just retired from Boeing in Winnipeg as a plant plane examiner. She was one of two women who trained back in the early eighties. Thanks for the video Ken

    • @YeshuaKingMessiah
      @YeshuaKingMessiah 4 дня назад

      Ah, last of the Boomers/first of GenX are retiring now.

  • @sueshade8215
    @sueshade8215 17 дней назад +2

    Beautiful detail in every room of Vouziers! A pleasure to see, although I was hoping for a view of the underground tunnel.

  • @Thepoetjewel
    @Thepoetjewel 9 дней назад

    Love the enchantment of the vault opening and allot of humans thinking that the Vanderbilts were the richest. They were probably so humble and statuesque that they dint have room to take part of major social crowds.

  • @DJFone
    @DJFone 16 дней назад +4

    Longtime StL gossip columnist Jerry Berger had Anne Desloge Bates on speed dial for any "sassiety" news.

  • @ravenscry048
    @ravenscry048 9 дней назад

    This was very interesting as I used to go to teen town dances in the town of Desloge. I had not heard of the Desloge family and their history before now. I grew up on a farm about 10 miles south of Farmington, MO and was born at the Bonne Terre Hospital. I'm assuming that the Desloge famliy mining businesses eventually be came part of the St. Joseph Mining Company which had mining operations throughout that leadbelt area

  • @marciafallon7653
    @marciafallon7653 16 дней назад

    Funnnily enough, my favorite detail is the painted dogwood branches over the Palladian window in the hallway. It caught my eye immediately.

  • @jec1ny
    @jec1ny 16 дней назад +2

    This family definitely qualifies as "old money." They are still around, still have money, and keep a generally low profile.

  • @megcalcaterra3966
    @megcalcaterra3966 15 дней назад

    My husband was in charge of the renovation when it became the corporate learning center. Many Ghost stories, from inside the ballroom and tunnel.

  • @pyrexmaniac
    @pyrexmaniac 13 дней назад

    Ken, you've got to check out Edward Fisher mansion at 892 I'm Boston Blvd in Detroit. It was built in 1924(?) and has to be one of, if not THE most exquisitely detailed home in the United States. It's currently for sale for $2.2 million. The listing has many photos.....if you've not seen the home, prepare to have your mind blown. Each room is more lavish than the last....the materials were the finest obtainable, as were the unbelievable level of craftsmanship and most exquisite, elegant design. The ceilings are the finest I have ever seen in a domestic residence. The use of polished solid bronze, fine onyx, rare exotic woods are beyond the realm of even the costliest commercial and ecclisiastical architecture and design contemporary to the home's era. The home has be impeccably maintained with a very rare attention paid to impeccable preservation and imperceptible restoration where necessary. Prepare to be overwhelmed.

  • @jayannpreston8393
    @jayannpreston8393 8 дней назад

    I thought this particularly interesting. I was born in Firmin Desloges Hospital before it became University Hospital. I had no idea of the family history. When I was younger I thought firmin had something to do with being infirm and the hospital mean a lodge for the infirm. Only learned recently that Firmin Desloges was the person who built it.

  • @OzarkRiverBanks
    @OzarkRiverBanks 17 дней назад +2

    There is a town south of St. Louis named Desloge! In the old Lead Belt I believe.

  • @kslinaz5668
    @kslinaz5668 10 дней назад

    Absolutely beautiful inside. But I thought the outside at that time looked rather blah and simple, for example, at 3:19. I'm glad in years' time, this was resolved. ❤️

  • @danielmalone2976
    @danielmalone2976 17 дней назад +4

    Would really like to see what you can come up with on the Busch family house in Grant's Farm

  • @Mr2blue2
    @Mr2blue2 17 дней назад

    Hopefully this video will get a deluge of thumbs ups.

  • @estelladog1
    @estelladog1 17 дней назад

    Have to imagine family is part of the old bygone era of the Firmin Desloge Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, which also had an underground tunnel connecting it to the school.

  • @Auntie-Annie
    @Auntie-Annie 17 дней назад +1

    These videos are so fun

  • @johnvonundzu2170
    @johnvonundzu2170 17 дней назад +1

    Never ever heard of the Desloges! Vouziers could have been Oheka's beautifully designed baby. Who was the architect? The outbuildings are gorgeous as well. The family needed to buy a few more feet of books to fill the library properly. The museum style furnishings were a little passe by 1926 - the only indication this house was in the hinterland.

    • @fleurdelis1227
      @fleurdelis1227 15 дней назад +1

      That wasn’t “the library.” That was Joe Sr’s office/napping room.

  • @2cgus
    @2cgus 17 дней назад +4

    Hey Ken , who is the elderly lady with glasses transposed in the photo of the stairs at 3:51? Her image is sideways and repeats, very eerie as if she watches over the mansion. I love your channel and look forward to every post.

    • @ThisHouse
      @ThisHouse  17 дней назад +1

      🧐 I don’t see a lady in that photo. Thanks for watching!

    • @anteeker
      @anteeker 17 дней назад +1

      I see it! It took a while, but I finally saw it and then the second image as well. It`s kinda spooky. It`s right on the double doors on the left and again over the single door. Good spotting.

    • @proudvirginian
      @proudvirginian 17 дней назад +1

      I see what I also thought was a lady. I was sure of it. Now, after looking at it for awhile, I think it's an optical illusion of shadows. I *can* unsee it.

  • @naomiweaver1855
    @naomiweaver1855 16 дней назад

    It is striking that this family was wealthier than the Vanderbilts, but they kept such a low profile!!

  • @johnpetrakis379
    @johnpetrakis379 17 дней назад +2

    Damns I dun lives here in "Hoosier Land" (not to be confused with Indiana, which only has Eli Lilly) Ah, the old landed Aristocracy The Desloges center is part of St.Lukes campus here in Chesterfield. Upkeep of these estates is very expensive here and in the UK as well as other countries

  • @snowwhite5842
    @snowwhite5842 16 дней назад

    I’m surprised at how minimalist the house was decorated for the time.

  • @Rivkid76
    @Rivkid76 3 дня назад

    I remember seeing this in a book

  • @larinad3850
    @larinad3850 7 дней назад

    There was a hospital in St Louis called Firmin Desloge.

  • @Kelz_X
    @Kelz_X 9 дней назад

    0:06 “Real wealth _whispers_ “

  • @johnlgasper2348
    @johnlgasper2348 9 дней назад

    Nice informative it’s too bad there aren’t extant photos of upstairs and the service areas

  • @DougMacGregor-d4e
    @DougMacGregor-d4e 14 дней назад

    The Vanderbilts fortune was peaked at 185 million, and at that time the Desloge fortune was 50 million?

    • @ThisHouse
      @ThisHouse  14 дней назад

      By the 1920s, the Vanderbilt fortune was only about 1/3 of what it was at its height.

  • @Gods2ndFavoriteBassPlyr
    @Gods2ndFavoriteBassPlyr 16 дней назад +1

    Fantastic Presentation. Would be much easier to understand and absorb if the narration didn't feel like a race to the finish line.

  • @KiddBloo86
    @KiddBloo86 11 дней назад +2

    Never should have been altered. Leave it to corporate who-ha's to just do as they please, like usual.

  • @chrismcpherson1586
    @chrismcpherson1586 7 дней назад

    My great grandmother growed up the home.

  • @PLegalrep
    @PLegalrep 4 дня назад

    4:40 who the hell would build those hideous eye soars off to the back left on a property that had such spectacular architectural works of art as their original canvas??

  • @oltedders
    @oltedders 17 дней назад +1

    Modest by the standards of the other "wealthiest" in the country.

  • @thomascefalo938
    @thomascefalo938 10 дней назад

    my favorite comfortable looking room was the salon/living room. Q: the style of the house appears to be Country French, which I love. Is that correct?

  • @RADIUMGLASS
    @RADIUMGLASS 17 дней назад

    The main house resembles the Herbert V. Book Estate that was in the Windmill Pointe area of Grosse Pointe Park. The Book estate was bought by Charles Helin for 40K in the 1940s. Helin was an inventor and the house burned in 1978 while Helin was in China.

  • @heatherkroeger
    @heatherkroeger 16 дней назад +1

    Also, there was no tunnel from the house to the ballroom. That has always been a misconception.

    • @fleurdelis1227
      @fleurdelis1227 15 дней назад

      Truth. There was a tunnel. It just led from the passenger drop off to the ballroom. Maybe 50yards long. Maybe.

  • @ginafriend1690
    @ginafriend1690 13 дней назад +1

    Without showing every room, I couldnt say.
    I think about the children. Never having the opportunity to truly be free to even make a mud pie per se and just be a kid to experience it.
    No thank you. Far too structured for me!

  • @somerandomvertebrate9262
    @somerandomvertebrate9262 7 дней назад

    This was back when St. Louis mattered.

  • @peterlarsen7779
    @peterlarsen7779 17 дней назад +4

    @ThisHouse - _Never_ heard of this family... As in _NEVER!_ The exterior of the mansion or chateau if you will, is somewhat bland (compared to e.g. the many mansions of the Vanderbilt's), and it belies the beautiful interior. As with so many of these opulent homes, it's difficult to choose just one room as a favourite...
    Although the family sold it to Boeing and it has since been remodelled and altered which is a shame, at least it hasn't been razed...

  •  День назад

    Was this estate ever a St Louis County Park?

  • @marygrummer9189
    @marygrummer9189 16 дней назад

    I grew up a stone’s throw from Florissant, MO and I’ve never heard of this mansion! But wasn’t there a hospital named after Firman Desloge in St Louis? Or am I trippin’? 😊

    • @beckypeters5449
      @beckypeters5449 12 дней назад

      Yes it's on Grand right next to Cardinal Glennon kids hospital it's the big building with the greenish blue roof in the 80s they changed the name to St Louis University Hospital and now it's empty because they built a new one next to it and are building a new Cardinal Glennon kids hospital next to it. I'm sure in the next couple of years the old hospital buildings will be torn down

  • @Voo1017
    @Voo1017 11 дней назад +1

    All stolen wealth, that will be given back to this land's rightful owners...

  • @RoyceAubuchon
    @RoyceAubuchon 12 дней назад

    I live right by Desloge missouri

  • @stevenlester2606
    @stevenlester2606 17 дней назад +2

    It’s always amazing to me when I hear of one of these homes go under or change hands out of the original family. Just too many descendants without wealth skills I guess. It’s always sad to see.

  • @dianejenkins6159
    @dianejenkins6159 15 дней назад +2

    Gosh can you talk ant faster???? Slow down.

  • @McAvoid
    @McAvoid 15 дней назад +1

    The audio's too fast. Couldn't be bothered.

    • @hollye549
      @hollye549 День назад

      You can slow down or speed up the playback on RUclips by clicking on the cogwheel and selecting the playback speed you want - I do it all the time.

    • @McAvoid
      @McAvoid День назад

      @hollye549 OK! Thanks 🙂

  • @realAmericanPatriot-l3r
    @realAmericanPatriot-l3r 9 дней назад

    Did they use lead-based paint???

  • @joelhunton7108
    @joelhunton7108 13 дней назад

    Are these people related to the Payseurs?

  • @raeraewells7053
    @raeraewells7053 14 дней назад

    I’m a descendant of Michel Crepin Desloges.

  • @jill-ti7oe
    @jill-ti7oe 17 дней назад +3

    👍

  • @roymarksberry4152
    @roymarksberry4152 14 дней назад

    ❤❤❤ Lot of money to keep up

  • @japanjack62
    @japanjack62 17 дней назад

    Beautiful home, at least it is not in St. Louis.......

  • @BernardProfitendieu
    @BernardProfitendieu 9 дней назад

    wow those children looked like overstuffed, pampered brats, didn't they?

  • @bluedogfish2
    @bluedogfish2 6 дней назад

    Ive been in the tea room for whats its worth

  • @jldisme
    @jldisme 17 дней назад

    🏡

  • @c0ldsh0w3r
    @c0ldsh0w3r 2 дня назад

    This video is 33% advertisement. 👎