116-year-old building, former site of bakery in St. Charles, receives historic landmark status

For almost 40 years, John Gartner’s Eastside Bakery helped feed workers in St. Charles through two world wars and the Great Depression.

More than 116 years after its construction, the building, adorned with a New Orleans-style facade, has received historic landmark status from the city.

One year after the building was erected at 115 Cedar Ave., Gartner opened up his bakery to provide for residents on the east side of town. Gartner’s brother, Joe, owned a bakery on the west side of town.

With its new status, approval from the Historic Preservation Commission is required before any construction on the building can take place.

This protects the historic building from damage resulting from alterations, repairs, demolition, relocation or exterior architectural changes.

The building has retained its original brick exterior walls, brick chimney and cement foundation. The city said the key to providing the building its new historic landmark status is the history that contributed so much business, tradition and culture to the community for decades.

According to city documents, the building was constructed in 1910 by Chas A. Stewart, owner of the C.A. Stewart company.