Lincoln Elementary School (1900 – 1957)

Following Emancipation, a Black community emerged in Wentzville’s eastern edge. A school for Black students was first established in a log church near present-day Linn Avenue. In 1880, classes moved to the newly built Grant Chapel A.M.E. Church, which was later replaced around 1930. Lincoln Elementary was built around 1900 on the city’s eastern fringe, originally as a one-room structure with a gable entrance, a basement, and rear access. Its glazed ceramic block construction with white brick was distinctive, blending late Victorian and early Modern design elements.

The school featured chalkboards along the western wall, eight-over-eight ribbon windows, and a mix of architectural styles. While oral sources claim it was built on A.M.E. church land, no deed has been found. This would have been common, as Black churches often served as community centers and educational hubs. With increased enrollment in the 1920s, a second concrete-block classroom was added to the north, separating grades 1-6 in the front and 7-8 in the back.

Teachers included Tennessee Craddoc, Caudy Grady, Richard Lunceford, Emma Brown, and Leverne Miller. The school added indoor plumbing in the 1940s, and students used a playground to the east and south. Daily activities included prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and songs like Lift Every Voice. Books were hand-me-downs from the local white school, and a wood stove provided heat until a coal furnace was installed in the 1930s. Lincoln School closed when Wentzville schools integrated in 1957.

Wentzville Auto Body & Glass ( 1957-1998)

Frank J. Toth owned and operated an auto glass and body repair business in Wentzville, Missouri at this location until his retirement in 1998. Frank W. Toth, Frank J. Toth’s father, started Wentzville AutoBody in 1957 following integration of the Wentzville School District. In 1962 Frank J. Toth was married to Barb Toth and shortly after bought the business from his father.

In an interview with Barb she describes the purchasing decision as a scary one, describing the thought of having a loan on the building for 3 years. The Toths’ lived in the white brick building now used for storage at Peters Drive In. Mrs. Toth described their early marriage living so close to their shop. She mentioned a Mr.Hommer who lived in the home between the current day shop and Petes.

Over the decades, Toth expanded the facility, incorporating a Tudor-style facade and making other modifications to accommodate his operations.

Despite these changes, he preserved much of the original structure and used the classroom as storage. Unfortunately, Mr.Toth was in an accident and became paralyzed in 1994. Mrs.Toth described feeling the weight of the business and how the Wentzville Community rallied to take care of the building as Mr.Toth was no longer able. The Toths sold the building to Dennis Harris,founder of Harris Automotive, who relocated his business from 212 E. Pearce Blvd. to 909 E.

Pearce Blvd in 1999. The building remains one of the last standing African American historical landmarks in St. Charles County and is being utilized as our 10-bay automotive shop and showroom present day.