Landmark status nomination on Bowie house withdrawn

Annshirley Bowie can now sell her home without worry.

The nomination for historic landmark designation for her St. Charles home was withdrawn Friday by its applicant, Steven Smunt.

"With regards to Mrs. Bowie and her family, I truly apologize for any actions in the landmark designation process which caused emotional distress," Smunt wrote in his withdrawl letter to the city and the Historic Preservation Commission.

"I do not want the landmark designation process to prevent her from selling her property."

The 67-year-old, who was recently widowed, wanted to sell the Victorian house to a developer who planned to tear it down and rebuild.

Smunt, a local dentist and neighbor of Bowie, had nominated the house after hearing of the developer's plans. For years, Smunt had tried unsuccessfully to get Bowie's late husband, Thomas, to apply for landmark status because the house - known locally as the "Eddie Munster house" - had an interesting story and unique architecture.

It was built in the 1890s by Charles Miller, a Civil War veteran who held four civic offices locally in the early 1900s. The house has a French tower, a third-story balcony and fish scale shingles, among other features.

"I believe that a good marketing plan which targets people interested in historic homes can succeed in finding the right buyer who sees the value in the property, who is willing to pay a fair market price, and who desires to preserve the home," Smunt wrote.