Below, we've reproduced some of the shop's own historical information about both the company and the building it occupies:

"Although not as old as the Farmer's Home building which it occupies, John Dengler Tobacconists Since 1917 is one of the oldest tobacco shops under continuous family ownership in the United States. It has, for over three quarters of a century provided its patrons with the finest in imported pipes, tobaccos, cigars and smoker's requisites. Known especially for their hand blended custom smoking mixtures and blending bar as well as one of the largest selections of fine pipes in the Country (over 5000). The company was honored in 1962 by the first presentation in the United States of the prestigious 'Quality Retailer Award' by the Pipe and Tobacco Council. Most recently, the proprietor was named 'Kapnismologist Extraordinaire' by the St. Charles Pipe Smokers Association."

"Although the nostalgic rich aromas of tobacco pervade the antique atmosphere of the shop, the proprietors have always been alert for modern inovations from being one of the first to cellophane cigars (1930's) to seeking out the finest in leaf today"

"This rather pretentious Federal style building with coped endwalls and anchored chimneys occupies land originally owned by the first Governor of Missouri and his brother, Alexander and David McNair. Probably erected by John Frazier, who also built a 27 vat tanyard at the rear river edge of the property and operated a ferry boat as well, it became a leading hostelry of the West and a favorite haunt of legislators and officials during the First Capitol days. [St. Charles was the first capitol of Missouri] One of the first advertisements reads, 'I invite the Legislators to board at my Farmer's Tavern. Lodging 2 bits (Spanish Eights) at night. I specialize in good food. Corn bread and Common Fixings - 2 bits a meal. White bread with Chicken Fixings - 3 bits (37 1/2 cents) a meal.'"

"Reflecting a more metropolitan 'chic' of the day, the name 'Farmer's Tavern' was changed by owner Christian Waye to 'Farmer's Home' in 1856. The portion of the building today occupied by John Dengler Tobacconists, originally the 'Mansion' of early proprietors reflects the gracious hospitality of an earlier day with fixtures and memoribilia of the 19th Century."

"A near disastrous but amusing ancedote is told about the tornado of 1876 when one August Schlingman was sleeping off a 'drunk' in the north bedroom of the inn. Suddenly, the walls blew out and carried Mr. Schlingman and his little bed 15 feet to the street without a scratch or a bruise. Bewildered at his new quarters, he exclaimed, 'I wonder what s--- b--- threw me out on the street. I paid my board and room rent!'"