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What Are Buildings Made Of?

Limestone in St. Louis Buildings

Many of the city's major landmarks are made of limestone.

The Old Cathedral

Unlike some other kinds of limestone, St. Louis limestone turns almost white when it is exposed to the weather.

The Old Courthouse

This is limestone painted white.

Top of Masonic Temple on Lindell BlvdThe Masonic Temple on Lindell.










South Side National Bank building at Grand and GravoisSouth Side National Bank building at Grand and Gravois.






Limestone is also found throughout St. Louis neighborhoods.

Limestone foundation with brick above In St. Louis' neighborhoods, you most often see limestone at buildings' foundations. The foundation is the base on which the rest of the structure rests. Because of its strength, availability and relative cheapness, local limestone was a good choice.

Three different kinds of limestone This building has three different uses of limestone! The foundation stones at the front of the building are smoothed and laid in neat courses for a more finished look; at the side, though, the stones are left rough and are different sizes. The retaining wall in front is pretty unusual, don't you think?


wood Wood clay Clay stone Stone Identify It! Identify It!









More About Stone

Limestone
  Where Does It Come From?
  Limestone in St Louis Buildings
Granite
  Where Does It Come From?
  Granite in St Louis Buildings
Marble
  Where Does It Come From?
  Looking at Marble in St Louis

Related Links

Old Cathedral
Masonic Temple
South Side National Bank

 

 

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This site was made possible by: the City of St. Louis Planning and Urban Design Agency and
the City of St. Louis Community Information Network.

This site was funded in part by Federal funds administered by the Missouri State Historical Preservation Office, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, The National Park Service, and the U.S. Department of the Interior.


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