ABSTRACT: Manuscript lease indenture for the Missouri Hotel in St. Louis, 1836.
SCOPE: This document, dated November 15, 1836, details an agreement between John Scudder and Benjamin L. Turnbull to lease the Missouri Hotel on Main Street. It contains witness signatures and an inventory of hotel goods, including feather-beds, lamps, linens, and a Franklin stove. The manuscript indicates the property, which encompasses a stone house and attached stable, will be used as a tavern or house of entertainment. The back of the document lists completed and future payments through November 1838.
EXTENT: Approximately eight pages.
HISTORY: The Missouri Hotel was constructed between 1817 and 1819. On September 18, 1820, the first general assembly of Missouri met in the hotel. This session also marked the beginning of Alexander McNair’s term as Governor of Missouri, which would officially achieve statehood the following year.
ACCESS: Due to the fragile nature of this collection, physical access may be restricted. Please contact the library for further information. Information on conducting research with the archival collections of the Library, including current building hours and reading room policies, can be found on our Research page. The St. Louis Mercantile Library is located on levels one and two of the Thomas Jefferson Library building on the University of Missouri-St. Louis’ north campus. The letters are available for remote & online viewing on the UMSL Digital Library as the M-552 Scudder, John Missouri Hotel Lease Indenture.
Preferred Citation note: The preferred citation for this collection is “From the Special Collections of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri – St. Louis."
