This week I'm staying close to home. There are so many houses and buildings to photograph, that it's probably best to take baby steps.

Here are a few more photos of the Victorian across the street. It just breaks my heart to see it sit there neglected, when it's such a majestic dame. Someone please fix it up!

This is the old carriage house. Obviously, the doors aren't original. However, I've been told that the floor of it is still original and rotates - which was done so that the horses could be groomed, etc.
Are you ready for the big shocker? This guy bought the house for 70,000 2 years ago! Our neighborhood is very quiet and safe. I can say that with a bit of authority after moving here from south city (Shaw). Although, Belleville folks would have you believe downtown is the belly of crime. Whatever. It's like Mayberry here.

Here's another view of the other Victorian Italianate down the street. You can see the fantastic job the owner did with the restoration.

I thought I would share some photos of houses from around our street. Belleville is lousy with gorgeous architecture, with many homes dating to the 1870s. Several such homes are on our block.

The first house is a Victorian Italianate style with a beautiful carriage house. Some guy from Scott Air Force Base bought it a couple of years ago with the intention of renovating it for him and his family to live in. I don't know if the failing economy or the realization that maybe he bit off more than he could chew affected his progress, but I sure wish he or someone would bring this beauty back to life.


These are just a couple of photos. I'll post more later.

Here is another example of a Victorian Italianate on our block. The owner has done a lot of exterior work to the house. It's for sale, too.
This next home is Victorian Gothic, dating from the 1870s. It looks tiny, but is very elongated. Plus, it has a bocci ball court in the back. Rumor has it that this house will be on the market soon.

bocci court

Change is good

Welcome to the new home of the blog formerly known as My Blue Belleville.

A new name, and hopefully new (ahem...more) content as I explore the areas around my home in historic Belleville, Il and the city of St. Louis.