Ballantine House

Location:  409 High Street Boonville Missouri

Named:  Ballantine House, Mansion House, Courtney Hotel, 

Santa Fe Hotel, Commercial Hotel

Built:  1822-1826, 1840's, 1870's-80's

     David C. Ballantine built and owned the structure 1822-1826 for use as a hotel.  Of Missouri German style design, the house was two stories with three bays west of the central section's three and a half stories. In the basement is a large fireplace and a rare beehive bake oven.  The hall has a spiral staircase.  There are  three entrances from the south. 

    The east and west wings date from the 1870's to 1880's when the house was operated as a restaurant by John Fessler. In 1885 the building was called "Mansion House." 

     In 1900 it was known as the "Commercial Hotel."  During this time the Ballantine house was operated by the Million Family.  In 1910 it was known as the "Courtney Hotel" and in 1917 as the "Santa Fe Hotel."

     Until the 1970's it continued to be operated as a hotel. Shortly after it was purchased by  Chris Shaler in 1972, the building was abandoned. 

     In the 1990s the Ballantine House was Purchased by the State of Missouri and stabilized to prevent further deterioration. The old hotel now serves as the headquarters for the Division of Family Services.     

This page was constructed by:  Amanda Dodson

This Project was funded through a grant from the Boonville Tourism Commission

For more information on this historical site click here