Main Street, or Booneslick Road, in Warrenton has a long history.In the heart of old downtown Warrenton, history is evident in its classic old buildings. Walking through, it’s hard not to imagine how things used to be.The city of Warrenton was founded in 1864. It began as a village with homes and businesses built along a dusty, and sometimes muddy, road called Boone’s Lick Trail.As early settlers arrived, and being the county seat, Warrenton was destined for growth. Early settlers were from Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee and Virginia. They were Revolutionary War soldiers and their families who came to Warren County to farm large estates.The population growth was helped, too, by German emigration during the 1830s, 1840s and 1850s.In 1870, the town had a population of 588. Growth was mostly slow and steady for the next 100 years.As people came, more homes were built and more businesses opened along Main Street to offer their goods and services. Main Street became the hub of activity for business and social interaction.One of the oldest buildings, is the former Colonial Hotel, built in 1848. John Pullman, grandfather of William Morsey, bought the original site from the still non-organized city of Warrenton for around $28. He proceeded to construct a large private home that became the hotel.The basement was dug by slaves with picks and shovels. The basement walls were lined with rock from Dry Fork Creek.Hotel guests admired the beauty of the woodwork, which was grained in light oak. The grain effect was done by a local man, Paul Brockfeld. His artistry won him wide acclaim.In 1938, the hotel was sold to Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Heflin. The couple repaired and modernized the building.The property originally included a barn with a loft, a smokehouse, a utility house and a carriage house, all of which were torn down in 1950.In 1968, Mr. Helfin died. Lorena Helfin kept the hotel one year then sold it to several area businessmen. It closed its doors as a hotel.The Ernst Schowengerdt store on Main Street was built in 1876. The store had a full basement and a 24-inch rock foundation. It replaced a frame building in which A.P. Frowein and Brother had operated as a general store.Schowengerdt’s was not just a store, it was a hangout. In the early 1900s, families came to town on Saturdays. After finishing up their downtown business, women would make use of the store’s chairs inside to visit with each other. Men would gather out front. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Eisenstein were the owners of another popular store on Main Street. The couple moved to Warrenton in 1890 to take over the store owned by Mrs. Eisenstein’s uncle, Adolphus Hart. In 1894, the Eisenstein’s purchased the two-story building with a 55-foot frontage on Main Street and a lot extension north to Oak Street.Items like salt in 285-pound barrels and sauerkraut in 50-gallon barrels were shipped to Eisenstein Store in railcar lots. The Eisenstein Store supplied the local saloon keeper with gallon and one-half gallon brown jugs, 50 to 100 each week. The saloon keeper filled the jugs and sold them to people from Montgomery County, where the sale of liquor was prohibited in several towns.Warrenton continued to prosper in the 1940s and 1950s.Lohman’s Variety Store served the area for more than 60 years. Fred J. Lohman and Harry Lohman were the founders of the store. The store changed location several times. Over time, the business converted from general mercantile to variety merchandise, including clothing, shoes and groceries.In 1952, Fred Lohman sold the store to his oldest son, John F. Lohman. During those 60 years in business, prices at Lohman’s changed. Embroidery floss went from 5 cents to three for 25 cents a package. Sewing thread went from 5 cents to 25 cents or 60 cents a spool. Candy went from a penny to 10 cents.By 1970, the population had risen to about 2,000. By 2010, the population was about 8,000.Main Street is rather quiet but in 2017 it still is considered the town center. This story was provided by the Warren County Historical Society. The Warren County Historical Society is funded by donations and run by volunteers. The museum is located at 102 West Walton in Warrenton and is open from 10 to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. For information, to attend an event or to make a donation, call 636-456-3820 or email museum@warrencountymohistory.com.Warrenton began as a village with residences and buildings built along Boone's Lick Trail. This picture was taken in 1887. Submitted photos.
Main Street in downtown Warrenton was a place for growth in the 1940s and 1950s. This photo was taken around 1950. Submitted photo.
The oldest commercial building in Warrenton is the former Colonial Hotel. It was built in 1848. Today it is barely recognizable. Heading east on Main Street from the Courthouse, it sits on the left side just before Brewskies with a new storefront. Submitted photo.
