County of store: Moniteau County
Location of store: 61243 Mo C, High Point
Kelly Mercantile, 1845-1855
hart Mercantile, 1855-1874
J.F. Tising's Sons Store 1874
"1. Tisinq Store, circa 1874. reconstructed 1892. Located on the western end of the district, this corner store in its
present form is a single-story rectangular brick building with a double-wide front. Prior to reconstruction after a fire
in 1892, a pair of nearly identical two-story buildings with a common wall occupied the site. Historic photos reveal
moderate Italianate influences which are mainly evident in fenestration, since even the display windows had
rounded tops. Before the fire, this building had a cornice with zigzag brickwork similar to what remains on the two
buildings east of the Tising Store. After the fire, the brick shell of the earlier buildings was salvaged. Only the
lower story was reconstructed, however, and the present building strongly reflects its late 19th century appearance
as reconstructed. A decorative pressed tin facade across the double-wide storefront strengthens the impression
of a single building. A decorative metal cornice is part of the design. The storefront has two recessed double-leaf
entrances. The east entry consists of a pair of single-light paneled doors with fixed transoms bordered by a pair of
two-light display windows with paneled bulkheads. The west entry mirrors the east, but the recessed portion has
been enclosed to form a vestibule comprised of a single four-panel door centered between two sets of narrow
single-panel, double-light folding exterior doors. This arrangement is topped by a six-light transom window
"Both entries are flanked with identical ornamental iron pilasters with fluting, beading, floriated swags and quarter
circles with a sunburst design. Each pilaster is stamped "MESKER BROTHERS, FRONT BUILDERS, ST. LOUIS,
MO, PAT. OCT. 5, '87," indicating that at least this part of the original exterior survived the 1892 fire. The pilasters
and pressed tin siding represent the main ornamentation on the building's otherwise relatively simple facade. The
pressed tin was added after the fire.
"Below the tin facade, a sloped, metal-roofed overhang is supported by six slender columns providing a covered
walkway. A sidewalk composed of irregular shaped slabs of limestone extends eastward from the comer, serving
Tising's and the first two adjacent buildings.
"Centered between the two entrances and embedded flush with the brick wall is a United States Geological Survey
benchmark, circa 1902, that reads "B.M. - U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY-250 DOLLARS FINE FOR
DISTURBING THIS MARK - ELEVATION ABOVE SEA LEVEL -904 FEET- DATUM VRSLS [Versailles]."
"The side (west) elevation along High Point Road reveals the Tising Store's stepped roofline and brick
construction, which is mostly masked on the primary elevation. Bricks are laid in a primarily eight-course common
bond. A tin sign, located approximately 20 feet from the northwest comer, reads: "J.F. TISINGS & SONS - HIGH
POINT." A cellar entry is located approximately at midpoint. A side brick chimney emerges from the roof directly
above it. A single-leaf entrance consisting of a four-panel door with transom and double header segmental arch is
located at the south end.
"The rear (south) elevation has two single-leaf entrances with transoms. Both entrances have four-panel doors.
Two one-over-one sash windows are between the entrances. Another window, identical, is east of the east
entrance. All exterior window openings have rough limestone sills and are protected by iron bars. Doors and
windows alike are topped with double header segmental arches. Doors and wood trim are painted white. The
limestone foundation is barely visible at the east end of the building.
"The Tising Store's appearance prior to around 1874 is unknown, but some type of commercial building is believed
to have occupied the site as early as 1845.
"A historic brick privy is located immediately south. A noncontributing modem metal shed, which currently houses
a welding shop, is located at the southern edge of the property." ~ NRHP Nomination Form
Historic District Map