County of B&B: St. Charles County
Location of B&B: Walnut St. & Public St., Augusta
Phone: (314) 504-4203
"The Turret Suite has a sitting area in the Turret and one in front of the fireplace, which has a TV and VCR. The bathroom has a 6' claw foot tub, a free standing glassed in shower and its own private balcony overlooking the pool and hot tub.
"The Tree Top Suite has a small library, sitting room, and bath with a claw foot tub and shower. This is the only guest room on the third floor. Marie's, Robert's, and Courtney's Room are large rooms with a queen size bed, sitting area and private bath in the hall." ~ Clay B&B
"September 8, 1881, the “St. Charles Demokrat” reported that Dr. Hampson Strother Clay (thus H. S. Clay House) intended to become a physician in Augusta.
"Before locating in Augusta, Dr. Clay, an 1873 graduate of the Missouri Medical College, had lived in Darst Bottom where he practiced medicine for about eight years. He became known as one of the leading physicians of that part of Missouri.
"Dr. Clay built this Augusta home in 1885 for his second wife, Marie Koch Clay. They then began raising their family of four sons and five daughters. Soon after the birth of their ninth child, Dr. Clay passed away leaving Marie to raise their family. All of the sons eventually became doctors, as well as their sons. One of the daughters, Mabel, became a nurse and two of the daughters became teachers.
"Marie lived in the home from 1887 until September, 1948 when she moved to Poplar Bluff, Missouri to live with her son, Dr. Hampson Strother Clay. Marie passed away in December of 1955 at the age of 92. The property originally encompassed one square city block containing Dr. Clay’s office at the corner of Walnut and Ferry, a horse barn, an orchard and their residence.
"The home was eventually sold out of the Clay family in 1956 for $5,500.00. The next owners added the “first” bathroom and central heating to the house. In 1986, restoration was begun to restore it to its former grandeur by a general contractor.
"The current proprietors purchased the home in 1991 and began the final phase of restoration. Alan Buehre, a graduate of Washington University and University of Denver, along with his wife Leigh, have extensive culinary and hospitality experience. Together, they have made the H. S. Clay House Augusta’s “most elegant Country Victorian Bed and Breakfast”.
"The H. S. Clay House Bed and Breakfast is located in the “Heart of the Missouri Wine Country”. ~ H.S. Clay B&B, A Bit of History
Marker text:
H.S. CLAY HOUSE BED & BREAKFAST
AND
GUEST COTTAGE
September 8, 1881 the "St. Charles Demokrat" reported that Dr. Hampson Strother Clay intended to become a physician in Augusta. Before locating in Augusta, Dr. Clay, an 1873 graduate of the Missouri Medical College, had lived in Darst Bottom where he practiced medicine for about eight years. He became known as "one of the leading physicians" of that part of Missouri.
Dr. Clay built this house in 1885 for his second wife, Marie Koch Clay. They then began raising their family of four sons and five daughters. Soon after the birth of their ninth child Dr. Clay passed away from congenital heart disease leaving Marie to raise their family. All of their sons eventually became doctors, as well as their sons. One of the daughters (Mabel) became a nurse and two of the daughters became teachers.
Marie lived in the home from 1886 until September 1948 when she moved to Popular Bluff to live with her son Dr. Hampson Strother Clay. Marie passed away in December of 1955 at the age of 92.
Originally the property encompassed one square city block containing Dr. Clay's office at the corner of Walnut and Ferry, a horse barn, an orchard and their residence.
The home was eventually sold out of the Clay family in 1956 for $5,500.00 and was subdivided into two pieces of property. The next owners added the "first" bathroom and central heating in the house. In 1986 restoration was begun to restore the home to it's former grandeur by a general contractor. The current owners purchased the home in 1991 and began the final phase of restoration and gardens. Alan Buchre, a graduate of Washington University and the University of Denver, along with his wife Leigh, has extensive culinary and hospitality experience.
After raising their blended family of five children they opened their home to guests and started the H.S. Clay House in October of 1998. The Guest Cottag was added in April of 2002.
The two of them together have made the H.S. Clay House Bed & Breakfast and Guest Cottage Augusta's "most elegant Country Victorian Bed & Breakfast."