My great grandfather worked for the Lemp family for 56 years. Its a very interesting story, so when I found out we would travel to St. Louis for vacation, I already knew that I wanted to go to the neighborhood where he worked. Years ago, the Lemp Mansion was closed, but since then, someone bought the property and restored it. It is now a hotel, restaurant and event venue.
The Lemps lived in a mansion down the street from their brewery. Over time, a tunnel was expanded from some caves below the mansion to connect the mansion and brewery together. Back in the day, the Lemps used the tunnel to walk to and from their home, plus the cooler temperatures underground were perfect for storing barrels of beer. The brewery is mostly abandoned now, but some of it must be in use for storage because I saw some trucks and people going in and out as we drove through the neighborhood.
The Lemp family is well-known in St. Louis and has an interesting history. The Lemps owned and operated the Lemp Brewing Company from around the turn of the 20th century until Prohibition. The Lemps were the first brewers of lager beer in America and became the number one beer distributor during that time, even ahead of the Annheuser-Busch company. My great-grandfather played a part in making them successful and also played a role in sustaining the company as long as possible with the impending Prohibition.
The Lemp family has an interesting yet creepy history. The Lemp Mansion is recognized as one of the most haunted places in America. You can book a Haunted Lemp neighborhood tour on certain nights to learn more about the hauntings and history of that time period. Three members of the Lemp family committed suicide on the mansion property with a fourth suicide at their country home. It is no wonder the place is considered haunted. The mansion was used as a residence off and on throughout the years, but later, it was used only as an office to run the business. My great-grandfather was in his office on the property when one of the suicides occurred and in the underground tunnel below when another occurred.
The Lemp Mansion also hosts a dinner theatre in the mansion’s basement. Check their website for their entertainment calendar. Our waiter told us that one time, when he was helping get ready for an event in the Dinner Theatre, he and another employee saw an older gentleman with a long beard and dressed in an old-fashioned suit standing in the corner. They asked him if he needed some assistance. The man said no. They went back to moving some inventory, but the man had vanished when they turned around again seconds later. No one else saw a man as they described.
The mansion is also a popular and beautiful venue for weddings and other events. In the back and alongside the mansion, a covered brick patio offers a large, tented area to set up tables, chairs, etc. and includes a raised gazebo structure with a wood floor to add a live band and dance floor.
Directly behind the covered event space is a white building known as the Coach House. In the late 19th century, this entire area in the back was most likely where the stables and carriages were kept for the family and employees. The Coach House offers an indoor event space.
The covered brick back entrance to the mansion provides an area for kitchen staff and caterers close to the event to come and go as needed. A small fountain adds some charm to the area.
The Lemp Mansion now functions as a restaurant, hotel and event venue. Most of the décor is original to the structure, built around the turn of the 19th century. Only a few areas in the mansion have been modernized to outfit their usage to today’s standards. Since we were in the area, my family decided it would be fun to eat at the restaurant. I was slightly skeptical about how good the food would be, but I was pleasantly surprised and delighted that it was delicious and the portions were huge! We made lunch reservations, but we didn’t need them. We were seated in what was formerly the main living room, which was on the back side of the house past the foyer and stairway.
I ordered The Prosperity Sandwich, which was a Kentucky Hot Brown, as described on the menu. A Kentucky Hot Brown is a hot, open-faced sandwich layered with ham, turkey, bacon, béchamel sauce and cheese. The Prosperity Sandwich was served with a large plate of French fries, a crisp pickle, and coleslaw. My son and husband ordered a Fried Cod Sandwich with a large plate of French fries and coleslaw. The portions were huge, and the food was hot and fresh.
Other areas in the house accommodate restaurant seating and party areas. The décor is reminiscent of the Victorian Era. We were allowed to walk around upstairs to view the hotel area. Brave souls can reserve a room on the second or third floors. The details in the interior design are beautiful and remarkable. The mosaic tile floors in some of the rooms and the decorative painting on the high ceilings definitely demonstrate the artistry of the period.
Lemp Mansion is worth a visit. Its interesting history, delicious food, and beautiful interior and grounds make it a hidden gem. We did not see any ghosts on our visit, but maybe you will get lucky if the supernatural realm decides to have a little fun. I felt an affinity for my great-grandfather as I could walk where he walked.
