Lemp Mansion

[2] In 1911, the house underwent major renovations including conversion of some space into offices for the Lemp Brewery, which then ceased all production when it was sold to International Shoe Company at auction in 1922.

[3] The main bathroom includes a glass-enclosed shower that Lemp brought back to St. Louis from an Italian hotel.

Adam Lemp’s beer became very popular due to the increase of German population in the area.

Lemp was one of the first in the country to produce German lager, which was a great difference from the English ale and porters.

[7] The business prospered, and when a large storage space became necessary, a cave in south St. Louis was used for this purpose as it provided natural refrigeration.

After completing his education at Saint Louis University, he worked at the Western Brewery until he left the company to form a partnership with another brewer.

[10] On August 23, 1862, Adam Lemp died, and William returned to the Western Brewery as owner and operator.

[citation needed] William began to brew and bottle the beer in the same facility to meet growing demand, a practice that was rare at that time.

Further demonstrating his innovation and business sense, in 1878 he installed the first refrigeration machine in an American brewery, and then extended the idea to refrigerated railway cars, in a successful attempt to be the first beer in the United States with a national reach.

However, it was William Sr.'s fourth son, Frederick, born in 1873, whom he hoped to groom to take over the company.

Billy had married Lillian Handlan five years earlier, and they moved to a new home at 3343 South 13th Street.

Lillian Handlan Lemp was, allegedly, nicknamed the “Lavender Lady” for her lavender-colored wardrobe and carriages.

After the trial, Billy built "Alswel" - his country home overlooking the Meramec River near what later became Sunset Hills, Missouri.

The brewery was shut down and the Falstaff trademark was sold to Lemp's friend, "Papa Joe" Griesedieck.

April 1941, Charles Lemp sent a letter to a south St. Louis funeral home requesting that in case of his death, his remains should be taken by ambulance to the Missouri Crematory.

Eight years later, he shot himself in the head, leaving the following suicide note: "St. Louis Mo/May 10, 1949, In case I am found dead blame it on no one but me.

"Cragwold", in western Kirkwood, had an observation tower, two servants' houses, and a collection of birds, antelope, sheep, yaks, buffalo and other animals.

In 2010 the mansion was investigated by The Atlantic Paranormal Society, which was featured on the September 29 episode of Ghost Hunters.