Nims Mansion
Missouri Mansions Series
The Nims Mansion is located along the bluffs of the Mississippi River in Oakville. It was designed in 1929 by the prominent St. Louis architectural firm Maritz & Young. Thie mansion exemplifies the Tudor Revival style, featuring local stone sourced from a nearby quarry. It also has a multi-colored slate tile roof, timbered lead-paned windows, arched doorways, and massive chimneys.
“On the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River just above its confluence with the Meramec stands Bee Tree Farm, the country place of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Nims.
Their nephew, Thomas Ratcliffe, named it when it was first built
because of the bees he saw swarming about the grove of white oaks.'”
St. Louis Post Dispatch article in 1936
toward Mississippi River
Bee Tree Farm
Many people who visit Bee Tree County Park likely don’t know the history of the name. Eugene and Lotawana Nims bought the Bee Tree Farm high on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River in 1916. They lived in Portland Place in the Central West End for a time, so the farm was designed as a place where the family could get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. But when Lotawana started spending time on the property, it turned into a passion project of hers.
The estate was about 30 miles south of downtown St. Louis. While Eugene was working in the city, she retreated to the country to refine her landscaping and farming skills. The hillsides between the mansion and the river were filled with her flowers and other plants.
In 1968, the St. Louis County Parks Department acquired the property, transforming it into a public park called Bee Tree Park. While the mansion has remained vacant for over 30 years, efforts are underway to preserve this architectural landmark and prevent its deterioration.
Images Courtesy of Nikole Meyer in submission for National Register of Historic Places
