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Health & Fitness

Dr. Leander Cape Early Maplewood M.D. and Real Estate Developer

An interesting assortment of some historic photos of buildings once associated with Dr. Leander Cape

Dr. Leander Cape was one of Maplewood’s earliest businessmen and community leaders.  Prior to his location in Maplewood Dr. Cape’s home and office were at 2700 Ellendale Place.  I believe this building was once located in the neighborhood just west of Arsenal and McCausland but I’m not certain. 

In 1902, Dr. Cape moved to his new home and office on the SE corner of Hazel and Sutton.  His beautiful home lasted longer than he did but not by much.  He passed away in 1936 and his home was razed in the 1940’s to create parking space for the first Bettendorf’s Supermarket located in the northernmost wing of the present Black Cat Theater building.

The buildings now known as the Dr. Cape Buildings comprise six connected structures at the NW corner of Hazel and Sutton in downtown Maplewood.  They were built by Dr. Cape between 1898 and 1911.  He contracted with his neighbor and fellow councilman, William Koester to build some of the buildings.  Koester, who is the subject of one of my earlier Patch blogs, definitely built the two northernmost buildings and most likely built the two adjacent buildings just south of them.

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The excellent National Register application prepared by Matt Bivens for the Dr. Cape buildings can be found at http://www.dnr.mo.gov/shpo/nps-nr/05001283.pdf

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