March 1 UPDATE: Legal Fight to Save the 167-Year-Old Home at 751 N Taylor Ave
March 1 UPDATE: Legal Fight to Save the 167-Year-Old Home at 751 N Taylor Ave
The Issue
167-year-old historic home in Kirkwood is now in court as neighbors fight to prevent its demolition.
The demolition is technically approved, and the case is now before a judge.
If you care about historic preservation, please take 30 seconds to help.
People have asked what they can do to help save this historic home.
Here are two simple ways:
1️⃣ Sign and share the petition
You do not have to live in Kirkwood to sign. It’s important the City sees this is not just a local issue.
Signatures are sorted by location, so City Council can see support from Kirkwood residents and people across the country who care about preserving history.
(Money given when you sign promotes the petition advertising, but does not fund legal bills.)
2️⃣ Visit the GoFundMe
If you can, please consider donating $25 to the fundraiser.
These funds help cover records requests, court filing fees and legal counsel.
If you can’t give, share the link.
March 1, 2026 Update
This home is living on “borrowed time.”
On Monday, February 23, the 270-day stay expired at midnight. As expected, the Landmark Commission took no action. In our code, no action defaults to approved, and the Landmark Commission has officially approved the demolition.
On Friday, February 20, we delivered the official “Appeal to City Council” to the City of Kirkwood.
On Monday, February 23, we filed a lawsuit in St. Louis County Municipal Court.
I am not a lawyer, and it’s complicated.
The Webster-Kirkwood Times reported on the case on February 27.
Click to read:
Last Minute Legal Filings Aim To Thwart Historic Home Demolition
We currently have a continuance, and the judge will meet with all attorneys on Friday, March 6.
Our hope is that our city will reexamine its code and see that it DOES have power.
If the city is unable to see that, we are hoping St. Louis County can help them see that.
Webster-Kirkwood Times Articles
January 26, 2026
This is the article that inspired this petition:
More than 150 Years Old, Historic Kirkwood Home Faces Demolition.
February 2, 2026
The previous owner wrote a Letter to the Editor about the updates that have been done to the home. This home is in good shape.
"Input from Former Owner of N. Taylor Ave"
Thank you to the 1500+ people who have already signed and shared this!
Original Petition:
We ask our elected officials to immediately stop the demolition of this Landmark Home. Built in 1858, the home at 751 N Taylor Ave in Kirkwood, Missouri, is a classic Italianate two-story house that has been beautifully maintained by a single owner for the past 50 years. It features high ceilings, large windows, and meticulously preserved period details that offer a glimpse into the architectural legacy of our community. This home is one of only 85 designated landmarks in Kirkwood, located in one of the four historic districts that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Unfortunately, the new owners of this historic gem have decided to demolish it due to concerns about bathroom size and other modern conveniences, despite being fully aware of its historical significance when they purchased it. The home was purchased in February 2025, and by May 2025 they had filed an application to demolish the property. There was clearly no intent to restore this property. The new owners lack of due diligence should not result in our community losing a landmark. Maybe they missed the part about it being a historic landmark in the listing? Clearly they never even entered the home before purchase or they would have seen the home's stairs are narrow and the bathroom has only 7 inches of clearance between the door and toilet. The reasons cited by the new owners are not acceptable reasons to warrant demolition. MANY residents in Kirkwood live in old homes that are not up to modern code. What makes these home old and unique is WHY THEY ARE LANDMARKS.
The demolition of the mansion across the street is WHY we had the N. Taylor district zoned historic. The previous owner was integral in organizing that grassroots effort. How quickly we forget the beautiful mansion that was demolished and replaced by two new "white boxes". Once that home was torn down, the land on N. Taylor sat vacant for years. Preserving our historic landmarks is crucial for maintaining the aesthetic and historical fabric of our community. Once this home is destroyed, we cannot bring it back. Its unique character and historical significance would be lost forever, depriving the community of another vital piece of our collective identity.
By allowing this demolition to proceed, we continue the dangerous precedent that threatens the remaining historic homes and structures that contribute to the charm and cultural depth of Kirkwood. If zoning a neighborhood Historic and a home a Landmark, what more can we as a community do to tell the city and new owners that we don't want our homes to be torn down and replaced by McMansions? We must urge the city council to take immediate action to protect this invaluable asset and explore alternative solutions that allow for modernization without sacrificing its historic value.
We call upon the Kirkwood City Council to intervene and stop the demolition of 751 N Taylor Ave. Protect our history, our community, and the irreplaceable landmarks that define who we are. Please sign this petition to make your voice heard and to safeguard our community’s heritage for future generations.
Sign the petition:
https://c.org/dZZ78wPXFg
1,885
The Issue
167-year-old historic home in Kirkwood is now in court as neighbors fight to prevent its demolition.
The demolition is technically approved, and the case is now before a judge.
If you care about historic preservation, please take 30 seconds to help.
People have asked what they can do to help save this historic home.
Here are two simple ways:
1️⃣ Sign and share the petition
You do not have to live in Kirkwood to sign. It’s important the City sees this is not just a local issue.
Signatures are sorted by location, so City Council can see support from Kirkwood residents and people across the country who care about preserving history.
(Money given when you sign promotes the petition advertising, but does not fund legal bills.)
2️⃣ Visit the GoFundMe
If you can, please consider donating $25 to the fundraiser.
These funds help cover records requests, court filing fees and legal counsel.
If you can’t give, share the link.
March 1, 2026 Update
This home is living on “borrowed time.”
On Monday, February 23, the 270-day stay expired at midnight. As expected, the Landmark Commission took no action. In our code, no action defaults to approved, and the Landmark Commission has officially approved the demolition.
On Friday, February 20, we delivered the official “Appeal to City Council” to the City of Kirkwood.
On Monday, February 23, we filed a lawsuit in St. Louis County Municipal Court.
I am not a lawyer, and it’s complicated.
The Webster-Kirkwood Times reported on the case on February 27.
Click to read:
Last Minute Legal Filings Aim To Thwart Historic Home Demolition
We currently have a continuance, and the judge will meet with all attorneys on Friday, March 6.
Our hope is that our city will reexamine its code and see that it DOES have power.
If the city is unable to see that, we are hoping St. Louis County can help them see that.
Webster-Kirkwood Times Articles
January 26, 2026
This is the article that inspired this petition:
More than 150 Years Old, Historic Kirkwood Home Faces Demolition.
February 2, 2026
The previous owner wrote a Letter to the Editor about the updates that have been done to the home. This home is in good shape.
"Input from Former Owner of N. Taylor Ave"
Thank you to the 1500+ people who have already signed and shared this!
Original Petition:
We ask our elected officials to immediately stop the demolition of this Landmark Home. Built in 1858, the home at 751 N Taylor Ave in Kirkwood, Missouri, is a classic Italianate two-story house that has been beautifully maintained by a single owner for the past 50 years. It features high ceilings, large windows, and meticulously preserved period details that offer a glimpse into the architectural legacy of our community. This home is one of only 85 designated landmarks in Kirkwood, located in one of the four historic districts that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Unfortunately, the new owners of this historic gem have decided to demolish it due to concerns about bathroom size and other modern conveniences, despite being fully aware of its historical significance when they purchased it. The home was purchased in February 2025, and by May 2025 they had filed an application to demolish the property. There was clearly no intent to restore this property. The new owners lack of due diligence should not result in our community losing a landmark. Maybe they missed the part about it being a historic landmark in the listing? Clearly they never even entered the home before purchase or they would have seen the home's stairs are narrow and the bathroom has only 7 inches of clearance between the door and toilet. The reasons cited by the new owners are not acceptable reasons to warrant demolition. MANY residents in Kirkwood live in old homes that are not up to modern code. What makes these home old and unique is WHY THEY ARE LANDMARKS.
The demolition of the mansion across the street is WHY we had the N. Taylor district zoned historic. The previous owner was integral in organizing that grassroots effort. How quickly we forget the beautiful mansion that was demolished and replaced by two new "white boxes". Once that home was torn down, the land on N. Taylor sat vacant for years. Preserving our historic landmarks is crucial for maintaining the aesthetic and historical fabric of our community. Once this home is destroyed, we cannot bring it back. Its unique character and historical significance would be lost forever, depriving the community of another vital piece of our collective identity.
By allowing this demolition to proceed, we continue the dangerous precedent that threatens the remaining historic homes and structures that contribute to the charm and cultural depth of Kirkwood. If zoning a neighborhood Historic and a home a Landmark, what more can we as a community do to tell the city and new owners that we don't want our homes to be torn down and replaced by McMansions? We must urge the city council to take immediate action to protect this invaluable asset and explore alternative solutions that allow for modernization without sacrificing its historic value.
We call upon the Kirkwood City Council to intervene and stop the demolition of 751 N Taylor Ave. Protect our history, our community, and the irreplaceable landmarks that define who we are. Please sign this petition to make your voice heard and to safeguard our community’s heritage for future generations.
Sign the petition:
https://c.org/dZZ78wPXFg
1,885
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition created on January 28, 2026