Darby/ "cosgrove" Residence

Name:  Blair residence, Cosgrove Residence

Location:  309 Center Avenue

Built:  1858-65, 1879-1900

   This lot was a part of 10 acres bought by  U. S. Senator David Barton in 1830.    

   Milo Blair, owner of the "Boonville Eagle"  newspaper and Mayor from 1869-1870, owned the house from 1868 to 1879.   Between 1879 and 1925 the house was owned by John Cosgrove, a member of the United States house of Representatives from 1882-1884.    He promoted a Boonville toll-free road bridge across the Missouri River.  John Cosgrove renovated the house 1879-1910 and with its unique  Queen Anne style.  

   The house is currently owned by Paul and Gladys Darby.  Paul was the founding president of the Boonville Friends of Historic Boonville in 1971 to 1973. His wife Gladys  was president of the Friends in 1976 to 1980.

   The house faces south on Center Avenue.  Along the south property line is a sandstone retaining wall.  an alley to the East  allows access to the two brick garages.  a family room addition in 1966 extended the Eastern face.  A circular tower is located at the southeast.   The house is furnished in antiques. the interior was renovated in 1957 and again in 1966.

   This house is known historically on a state and local level as the home of U.S. House of Representative, John Cosgrove. 

This page was constructed by:  Amanda Dodson

This project was funded through a grant from Boonville Tourism Commission