Mississippi County Historical Society's home tours return with annual Dogwood-Azalea Festival

CHARLESTON, Mo.– The 55th Annual Dogwood-Azalea Festival is coming up in Charleston, which means it’s time for the annual home tours put on by the Mississippi County Historical Society.

The Moore residence, situated at 403 N. Main St., will be available for tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, April 13 through Saturday, April 15.

The Brown "Ragsdale" home, located at 404 E. Commercial St. in Charleston, Missouri, is one of the homes featured on the Mississippi County Historical Society’s Home Tours, which is part of the 55th Annual Dogwood Azalea Festival set for Thursday, April 13 through Sunday, April 16 in Charleston. (Submitted Photo)

The Brown "Ragsdale" home, located at 404 E. Commercial St. in Charleston, Missouri, is one of the homes featured on the Mississippi County Historical Society’s Home Tours, which is part of the 55th Annual Dogwood Azalea Festival set for Thursday, April 13 through Sunday, April 16 in Charleston. (Submitted Photo)

The home, which was built in 1899 for around $7,000, is listed on the National Register of Historic Properties. Previously, agriculture was all around it. On the family’s adjacent farm, the wood for the home and servants’ quarters was harvested.

In addition, two private residences — the Thurmond Home, “Locust Place,” and the Brown Home — will be open for tours from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Admission to these two homes and the Moore home is $15.

The address of the Thurmond Home is 201 North Main St. At the age of 25, Paul B. Moore was elected to the Mississippi County House of Representatives. After he married Margaret Stephens, he rose to prominence in Jefferson City’s political circles. In 1897, Moore was hired as the private secretary to Margaret’s brother, Gov. Lon Stephens. Throughout the governor’s four-year tenure, the Moores were quite visible in the activities of the governor’s home.

Moore returned to Charleston and settled into their new house, which had been a gift from Margaret’s father. J.B. Legg. A St. Louis architect built this mansion, the county courthouse, the Russell office building and the residence of James and Mary Hunter Moore (Paul Moore’s brother), which now houses the Mississippi County History Society.

The president of the Mississippi County Historical Society, Sophie Dugan, described the Thurmond home and its appearance.

“This is a 6,000-square-foot home that features nine fireplaces,” Dugan said. “It has original dining room furniture, and when you tour the home, you will be able to see remnants of the couple’s year-long honeymoon purchases they made while in Europe.”

The place was covered in locust trees, thus the name “Locust Place,” Dugan said. As guests approach the door, the glass of the entrance doors is inscribed with Paul B. Moore’s initials, PBM. The lofty turret and spacious porch resemble late Victorian design.

The Brown Mansion, located at 404 East Commercial St., is also included in this year’s home tours.

William Buckner Ragsdale and his wife, Nell, built the brown house in 1915, according to Dugan, who also said that Buckner Ragsdale was well-known at the time.

“The Ragsdales were the owners and operators of Buckner’s-Ragsdale department stores in Charleston, Sikeston and Cape Girardeau, Missouri,” Dugan said.

Up until 2019, the property’s owners preserved and took care of the house, which belonged to the family until 1995.

Tom Brown, the current owner, is a Charleston native who spent 19 years as a circuit judge in Jefferson City. He also practiced law privately before and during his term on the court until his retirement in 2018. When he chose to return home, the “Ragsdale House” that he knew from his childhood was on the market.

As a result of having grown up in the same two-block area, with grandparents living nearby, he had a strong sense of familiarity with the home. The judge’s intention was to modify the house to meet his requirements while retaining its original charm. To do this, he constructed a substantial two-story extension in the back and painted it white to unite the old and new.

Brown renovated and expanded the kitchen, as well as added an office, laundry room and elevator. In addition to the original rooms, the second story has a new master bedroom and bath.

Tickets for the home tours can be purchased at the Mississippi County Historical Society’s Moore home.