Archambault House

This house was built for Auguste P. Archambault and his family sometime prior to 1858. The Archambaults were one of the oldest French families in St. Louis and their house was built in "the latest mode." It was built in the Federal architectural style with some Victorian influences. The house and outbuildings maintain most of their historical integrity, with some alterations having been made. In 1880, a wing was added in the rear to the northeast. It is unknown when the other alterations were made, but they include: two sheds being rebuilt, a bath added to the second floor, and a furnace being added to the basement and the attic. The Housing and Urban Development and Old Florissant, Inc. each provided $20,000 for its restoration. As of 1970, it was being used as an Indian Cultural Center.

The house changed hands numerous times but Auguste Pierre Archambault, the original owner, was the most prominent. Archambault was born in Quebec on August 16th, 1817. He was a fur trader and trapper. Although he was born in Canada, he spent much of his life in Florissant. He is remembered as the last of the famous French mountain men. He was involved in Denis Julien's early travels in the 1830's but this experience was not documented. He also served as a guide for famous frontiersman Kit Carson and mountaineer Jim Bridger. From 1845 to 1846, he was a hunter and butcher for John C. Fremont during Fremont's third expedition in the west. Archambault was also a member of Fremont's California Battalion (Company A) which was active during 1846 and 1847. In 1849, he worked as a guide for Howard Stansbury during Stansbury's exploration of the Salt Lake Valley. Eventually, he became a member of the Bissonette and Simonea Fur Company which competed with the American Fur Company. He was in charge of a trading post at Devil's Gate in western Wyoming.

National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form, MO State Parks. Accessed November 10th, 2022. https://mostateparks.com/sites/mostateparks/files/Archambault%20House.pdf.

Auguste P. Archambault, Find A Grave. Accessed November 10th, 2022. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/72054745/auguste-p-archambault.

"Aged Woman Falls Dead on a Three-Mile Walk." St. Louis Globe - Democrat (St. Louis) July 31st, 1914. .4.

Peters, Frank. A Guide to the Architecture of St. Louis. Columbia, Missouri. University of Missouri Press, 1989.

Earngey, Bill. Missouri Roadsiders: The Traveler's Companion. Columbia, Missouri. University of Missouri Press, 1995.