The Evans House

One of Steelville's historic residences is being renovated as part of a push to revitalize the history and beauty of the town. The Evans House, located on Main Street across from First Community National Bank, purchased last year by the Steelville Arts Council is now available for the concert season. Please book through the concert page. Take a photo tour.

 

The home dates back to at least Civil War days, but perhaps even earlier. According to records gathered by Paul Perkins' family, his greatgrandfather, William C. Evans probably moved into the home in Steelville around 1874. Evans, who had served in the Union Army during the Civil War, was elected to the office of Crawford County Circuit Clerk and Recorder of Deeds in that year. He served 28 years in that County Clerk for a total of 32 years in public service.

William C. Evans' daughter Eula (born in the house in 1888) was Paul's grandmother and he recalled stories she told of her time in the home, especially one about the terrible flood in 1898. Paul remembered her talking about her father going down the stairs in the house to mark a spot on the stair where the water had risen inside. That nick can still be seen on the third stair from the bottom, position and four years as consistent with the reports of water levels reaching five to eight feet deep on Main Street.

The original house did not have the two side porches that currently flank the structure, but was built in a Tshape. Much of the original construction remains, including wavy glass windows, about half of the wood flooring and some of the wood ceilings, too. Although there were several remodels done on the building over the years, the current renovation project undertaken by the Steelville Arts Council has taken it back to the look it probably held during Paul's great-grandfather's time. (Continued from page 1) Inside, beautiful pine floors have been refinished, walls, ceiling and trim have been given fresh coats of paint and period details have been restored. Outside, fresh paint has brightened the exterior of the home, too. Plans include the installation of a bathroom and a few furnishings, although the front two rooms will be left open for gallery space.