Follow Carlton Mitchell’s incredible story of rebuilding his 110-year-old home after a wall collapse.
The front of the Mitchell home features intricate brickwork over the windows and at the peak. In 2008 when Mitchell had just started renovating the 110-year-old home, the entire side wall shown in this photo collapsed into a pile of rubble. Every room on the east side of the residence was in full view as if it were the back of an oversized dollhouse. LEFT: The arched windows on the front of the home open to a thoroughly updated living room with contemporary furniture. Most of the finishing work was done by Mitchell himself. Credit STL Today
Along with white flight, urban flight, and upsurging north city decay, most of the alluring palatial brick homes got left behind. Homes that family members either did not want anymore or properties that became costly due to disrepair.
I attended a Catholic school in the Academy neighborhood, and I do vaguely remember an older family living in the home we are featuring today. The home then saw its share of trafficking and reckless tenants, until eventually, like so many other huge homes near the west end, it was shut down and abandoned.
The west end leading up to the Academy neighborhood toward north city at Page Boulevard, has some of the best display of brick homes that have seen better days. Some of those properties are currently being renovated by contractors, while the others continue to rot in decay.
Why do cities have abandoned homes in their neighborhood
There are several reasons why cities may have abandoned homes in their neighborhoods:
1. Economic downturn: Cities that have experienced economic downturns, such as job loss or population decline, may have a higher number of abandoned homes. This can be due to homeowners being unable to pay their mortgages or property taxes, leading to foreclosure and eventual abandonment. 2. Urban decline: In some areas, industries that were once the backbone of the city’s economy may have shut down, resulting in population decline and neighborhood deterioration. This can lead to homeowners abandoning their properties as they are unable to find employment or maintain the upkeep of their homes. 3. Natural disasters: Cities that have been hit by natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, or wildfires, may have abandoned homes left in the wake of the devastation. In some cases, the damage may be severe enough that homeowners are unable to repair or rebuild their homes. 4. Aging population: In cities with an aging population, there may be a higher number of abandoned homes as older homeowners either move to retirement communities or pass away, leaving their homes unoccupied. 5. Zoning and development changes: When cities undergo zoning changes or urban development projects, some properties may be deemed unfit for the new plans and left abandoned. This can occur when a neighborhood is rezoned for commercial or industrial use, leaving residential homes without residents. 6. Lack of resources: In some cases, homeowners may simply not have the resources to maintain their homes or make necessary repairs, leading to abandonment. This can be due to financial difficulties, physical or mental health issues, or lack of access to affordable housing options. Overall, abandoned homes in neighborhoods can hurt the surrounding community as they can attract crime, decrease property values, and create eyesores. City governments need to address and find solutions to reduce the number of abandoned homes in their neighborhoods.
Carlton Mitchell’s dream:
A few years ago, in 2008 when Carlton Mitchell had just started renovating the 110-year-old home he had purchased, one entire side wall collapsed into a pile of rubble. Every room on the east side of the house was in full view as if it were the back of an oversized dollhouse.
The replacement wall he erected stands as testimony to Mitchell’s determination to turn his ready-to-be condemned residence into his home. Using brick and cinderblock, he rebuilt the ruined wall to be 15 inches thick, more than twice what is normal in new construction.
The arched windows on the front of the home open to a thoroughly updated living room with contemporary furniture. Most of the finishing work was done by Mitchell himself.Vanessa Abbitt photos.
He completed the home in 2009, but the house was just the first step in what he envisioned as a long-term personal mission to his community that originated 11 years earlier.
In 1998 a friend suggested Mitchell take an online “motivational gift test” to determine what his strongest spiritual-based personality trait might be. Mitchell discovered he possessed the “gift of encouragement,” or an ability to help people grow to meet their full potential during their lifetime.
Then, shortly after taking the test, Mitchell attended a sermon that he had remembered when the wall collapsed. The pastor’s message had been “discouragement from doing God’s will must be overcome.”
Ten years passed while Mitchell contemplated how to implement his gift. Eventually, he settled on the idea of building an art gallery and event center in what he describes as the “underserved side of the so-called ‘Delmar Divide.’” The purpose would be to bring a building to the area where people could meet to develop their creative talents and help chart their meaningful purpose in life.
He purchased his home because it sat on a double lot where he could build the gallery and event center, but first, he had to renovate the shell of the home so he would have a place to live.
As it turned out the collapsed wall was only the first obstacle that needed to be surmounted. There were several thefts and instances of vandalism as the home renovation progressed, and several contractors failed to show up or finish the work they had started.
Then his job at Boeing was eliminated as part of a large reduction in force.
Mitchell remembered the sermon and message that setbacks must be overcome, and he turned to books to learn how to do the construction work himself.
When the home was completed in 2009, what had been a two-family duplex had been gutted and transformed into a stunning, single-family residence. With the strategic placement of a new supporting beam, supporting walls on the first floor that previously had defined the living room, dining room, bedroom, and kitchen were eliminated. In their place was a 1,200-square-foot open living space anchored by a modern kitchen.
Another 1,200 square feet on the second floor was reconfigured into two bedrooms and an office.
Décor is a tasteful hue of white and black. African American art and sculpture are prevalent on windowsills and walls, with some items displayed in built-in niches on walls. More art and sculpture are free-standing along the perimeter of the room, their images reflected on the highly polished floors.
Once the home was completed, and with Mitchell without a job and low on funds, he turned his attention to breaking ground for the gallery immediately behind his residence. Before construction commenced he had already named the space “Exodus.”
“The Exodus name was chosen because I was reminded of what my ancestors overcame despite the adversities they faced,” he says.
Just as he did with his home, Mitchell designed the layout for the 5,000-square-foot gallery and did much of the construction, appliance installation, lighting, and flooring himself. Again, he relied on do-it-yourself books as guides. “I would begin each day at 6 a.m. listening to inspirational music, and work until I was tired,” he remembers.
Fulfilling Mitchell’s gift of being able to encourage others, Exodus opened in 2011 dedicated to showcasing the talents of local artists while providing a function space for character building activities such as dance and art lessons. The space also has hosted self-improvement events promoting development of skills important in life, like real estate investing and home maintenance and repair.
Other events have catered to the needs of area leaders looking for venues in the area. Organizations from the National Wildlife Federation, the YMCA, Better Family Life and the Good Development Journey Foundation have also used Exodus.
Almost immediately after finishing the galley and his home, another obstacle was overcome when he was offered a job with the Defense Contract Management Agency in St. Louis. The position was managing government engineering contracts in the St. Louis metropolitan area, and he continues to work there while he runs Exodus.
Mitchell’s home and gallery have been a precursor to positive changes in the neighborhood. “When I moved here the only other business nearby was the 3rd Degree Glass Factory,” he says. “Craft Alliance has moved in just down the street. So has MADE Marketplace, as well as MADE for Kids created by The Magic House. Each organization offers adults or children the tools and machinery to explore their creative talents.”
Now the area even has its name and is known as the Delmar Maker District.
“When people see how nice Exodus is and hear my story, they want to see my house,” Mitchell remarks. “I end up giving a lot of impromptu tours.”
