Historic James B. Brown House, or amazing Stonecroft Manor in Ralls County, Missouri

Photo byR. Walley, via NRHP Nomination Form (1980).

The two-story historic James B. Brown House, also known as Stonecroft Manor, is located at 58050 Carrs Lane in the vicinity of Hannibal, Missouri (Ralls County). On January 26, 1984, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This home is stunning inside.

This historic structure was constructed between 1870 and 1872 on 80 acres of land Brown inherited from his father. It's an I-house with a central passage plan and made of rubble limestone. This home includes the architectural style of Greek Revival and Italianate.

This house served as a summer home for James B. Brown, a well-known resident of Hannibal. In the spring of 2023, this magnificent home and 19.5 acres were sold. The house was also furnished. Visit here to see some amazing photos.

Stonecroft Manor.Photo byPinterest.

Brown, a successful druggist, built Stonecroft Manor as a summer home. During his era, it was a customary practice to have a home in town during the winter and a summer home in the country. The house was built during the same time the Hannibal Railroad Bridge was being constructed across the Mississippi River.

Like Brown's father who died at the young age of 45, James Brown started working while young. He and two brothers went to California when the gold rush was popular and they came back with nearly $1,000. Brown took his money and invested in a drug firm which he also developed.

Brown eventually built his own store. The Brown's Drug Store building is part of the North Main Street Historic District, also listed on the National Register as of August 1, 1986. Brown's building was at 119 North Main Street (address from the National Register nomination form).

A prescription book of Brown's was donated to the University of Missouri by Brown's son, Albert S. J. Brown (1867-1947), in April 1944, and it's stored at the State Historical Society of Missouri.

James Burkett Brown died on August 16, 1915, in Hannibal, Missouri at age 88. He was born on April 5, 1827, in Kanawha City, West Virginia. He married Nannie K. Summers (1836-1904) and according to the Find-a-Grave record, they had one daughter and two sons who have since passed. From 1882 to 1885 and in 1888, Brown served as a mayor of Hannibal.

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