1884 Highway K: Renovated 1915 Cottage on 11.8 Wooded Acres with Meramec River Access – Saint Clair, MO – $279,900
Country Living · Wooded Acreage · River Access
Property Overview
Discover a distinctive country retreat at 1884 Highway K in Saint Clair, Missouri. This renovated two-bedroom, one-bathroom cottage, originally built in 1915, sits on approximately 11.8 acres of wooded land featuring dramatic bluff terrain, scenic river views, and private access to the Meramec River. With multiple porches and decks, a detached bonus room, a four-car garage, and additional space for hobbies and outdoor pursuits, this property combines historic character with an expansive natural setting.
Located outside the main community of Saint Clair, the property offers a blend of woodland surroundings, open areas, and steep bluff landscapes. A small cave on the bluff adds a distinctive natural feature to the grounds. The combination of acreage, river access, outbuildings, and recreational possibilities provides plenty of options for buyers looking for a rural property with room to explore.
A property with room to pursue your interests.
The combination of wooded acreage, a detached garage and workshop space, a separate bonus room, and river access creates possibilities for outdoor recreation, equipment storage, hands-on projects, and country living. The unrestricted acreage is an appealing feature for buyers considering a range of personal uses, subject to applicable laws, permits, easements, and property restrictions.
Interior Features
The single-level cottage offers 1,128 square feet of interior living space, with two bedrooms and a full bathroom on the main level. Its bungalow and cottage styling is complemented by natural woodwork, beamed ceilings, high ceilings, and special millwork.
Living and Dining Areas
- Open floor plan with a combined living and dining area.
- Separate dining space and breakfast room.
- Hardwood and tile flooring.
- Natural woodwork and beamed ceilings.
- Storage areas and a workshop or hobby area.
- One wood-burning fireplace with a wood-burning stove and stone features.
Kitchen and Appliances
The kitchen features custom cabinetry and solid-surface countertops. Included appliances and equipment are listed as stainless-steel appliances, an oven, a freestanding gas oven and range, a freestanding refrigerator, a vented exhaust fan, and an electric water heater. The kitchen is also plumbed for an ice maker.
Bedrooms, Bathroom and Laundry
Both bedrooms and the full bathroom are located on the main level. The bathroom includes a shower. Laundry connections are available inside the home on the main level, with washer and electric dryer hookups.
Heating and Cooling
- Forced-air heating.
- Heat pump.
- Wood heat.
- Central air conditioning.
- Ceiling fans.
Basement and Foundation Areas
The home includes cellar and crawl-space areas, along with a partial, unfinished basement offering walk-out access. These areas provide additional utility and storage potential, subject to their condition and suitability for specific uses.
Exterior Features and Outdoor Living
The property’s exterior spaces extend the living environment beyond the cottage. Two side decks and two front porches provide several places to enjoy the surrounding trees, rural scenery, and changing seasons. A rear porch is also listed among the exterior features.
- Multiple front, side, and rear porch areas.
- Two side decks.
- Private yard with partial fencing.
- Rain gutters and a private entrance.
- Wood siding and architectural-shingle roofing.
- Detached bonus room and additional outbuildings.
- Wooded surroundings and native vegetation.
The property’s setting includes trees, natural foliage, scattered woods, sloping ground, and bluff terrain. The landscape combines level areas with steep sections, so buyers should evaluate the terrain, access, and intended uses of individual areas during a property visit.
11.8 Acres of Woods, Bluffs and Meramec River Access
The acreage is a defining feature of this Saint Clair property. Approximately 11.8 acres include wooded areas, natural vegetation, sloped terrain, and bluff features overlooking the surrounding landscape. River-related views and access add another dimension to the property’s outdoor setting.
Meramec River Access
The property is described as having private access to the Meramec River, with riverfront and waterfront features listed for the land. The river setting provides opportunities to enjoy the surrounding natural environment. Buyers should confirm the exact boundaries of the waterfront area, the location and terms of access, any recorded easements, and applicable river-use restrictions.
A Natural Cave on the Bluff
A small cave on the bluff is among the property’s distinctive features. The cave is described as appearing on an older survey. Its location and condition should be evaluated in person, and buyers should review any available survey documentation before relying on the mapped location or planning access.
Wooded Recreation and Land Use
The land may appeal to buyers interested in hiking, exploring the woods, outdoor hobbies, camping where permitted, or developing personal recreation areas. The mix of wooded and sloping terrain provides a varied natural landscape. Plans for trails, treehouses, zip lines, structures, or other improvements should account for terrain, safety, environmental considerations, and applicable regulations.
Important land-use consideration
The acreage is advertised as unrestricted. Buyers should independently confirm applicable zoning, recorded covenants, easements, building requirements, floodplain considerations, and any limitations on business activities, additional structures, animals, or recreational installations.
Detached Garage, Bonus Room and Workshop Potential
The property includes a detached four-car garage with additional space for storage, tools, equipment, and hobby projects. A horse stall is described at the rear of the garage, and fencing and corral features are listed on the property.
- Detached four-car garage.
- Garage door opener.
- Workshop and hobby space.
- Detached bonus room.
- Additional outbuilding and storage features.
- Horse stall and corral features.
- Partial fencing.
- Driveway and additional on-site parking.
- RV parking and access features listed.
The additional structures offer flexibility for buyers with vehicles, recreational equipment, tools, or workshop interests. The permitted uses, dimensions, utilities, and condition of the detached bonus room and other outbuildings should be confirmed during due diligence.
Parking and Property Access
Parking features include the detached garage, a circular driveway, aggregate and gravel surfaces, and additional off-street parking. Eight total parking spaces are listed, including four garage spaces. Uncovered parking is also available.
The property has asphalt road frontage along Highway K. Buyers should assess driveway conditions, garage access, vehicle turning space, and access to different parts of the acreage during an in-person visit.
Utilities and Property Infrastructure
The property is listed with a private well and private septic system. Electricity is connected, propane is leased, and water and sewer connections are recorded in the property features.
- Water: Private well.
- Wastewater: Private sewer and septic tank.
- Electricity: Connected; single-phase service is listed.
- Heating fuel: Propane is leased.
- Heating: Forced air, heat pump, and wood heat.
- Cooling: Central air conditioning and ceiling fans.
- Water heating: Electric water heater.
Buyers should verify well performance and water quality, septic-system condition and capacity, propane lease terms, electrical service, and the operating condition of all heating and cooling equipment. Internet availability and cellular reception should be tested at the property rather than assumed from general area coverage.
Buyer Area Research: Saint Clair, Missouri
Situated in Franklin County in east-central Missouri, Saint Clair provides a small-city setting within the broader St. Louis region. The surrounding landscape includes rural roads, wooded properties, waterways, and outdoor recreation areas. The property is outside the central built-up portion of Saint Clair, so day-to-day travel and service access should be considered in relation to its specific location along Highway K.
Area Overview
Saint Clair is a community in Franklin County, Missouri, with local services and regional connections supporting residential, commercial, industrial, and rural activity. Franklin County’s population was estimated at 108,000 in the 2020s, while the separate rural and small-town communities throughout the county have distinct characteristics and service patterns.
Saint Clair’s regional economy includes manufacturing, construction, transportation, healthcare, retail, and other service industries. The wider area combines established residential neighborhoods with agricultural and wooded properties. The exact balance of privacy, access, and nearby services varies by location within the community.
Safety and Crime
Reliable, directly comparable multi-year crime statistics for the immediate Highway K property area were not established for this listing. Citywide and countywide statistics, where available, should be considered separately from conditions at an individual rural address. Buyers seeking a detailed assessment can review the most recent available local law-enforcement statistics and ask about emergency-service coverage for the property.
Because the land includes steep bluffs, wooded terrain, and a cave, buyers should also consider site-specific outdoor hazards, particularly when planning activities involving children, animals, guests, or recreational equipment.
Schools and Education
Schools in the Saint Clair area include the following public schools associated with the St. Clair R-XIII School District:
- St. Clair Elementary: Elementary education, including prekindergarten through grade 2.
- Edgar Murray Elementary: Grades 3 through 5.
- St. Clair Junior High: Grades 6 through 8.
- St. Clair High School: Grades 9 through 12.
These schools provide an overview of local educational options, not a confirmation of school assignment for this address. Buyers should verify the property’s current attendance boundaries, enrollment eligibility, transportation arrangements, and available programs directly with the school district.
Healthcare and Hospitals
Healthcare options serving the wider Saint Clair region include hospital and outpatient services in nearby communities. Facilities in the broader area include:
- Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital: Hospital services and emergency care in Sullivan.
- Mercy Hospital Washington: Hospital and emergency services in Washington.
Additional primary-care offices, clinics, pharmacies, and outpatient services may be available in Saint Clair and surrounding communities. Buyers should confirm current service availability, facility locations, emergency access, and travel times when evaluating healthcare needs.
Housing Market History
Historical housing-price trends provide context for the wider county market but do not predict the future value of an individual property. The following annual figures represent the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s all-transactions house price index for Franklin County, Missouri. The index uses 2000 as its base value of 100 and is not a dollar-denominated median sale price.
| Year | House Price Index | Annual Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 159.38 | Baseline |
| 2022 | 182.09 | +14.25% |
| 2023 | 200.31 | +10.01% |
| 2024 | 209.76 | +4.72% |
| 2025 | 222.99 | +6.31% |
The county-level index increased by approximately 39.9% between 2021 and 2025. This change reflects the index’s measurement of the broader housing market, not the expected appreciation of this cottage, its acreage, or its river access. Rural properties can differ substantially in value based on land characteristics, improvements, access, condition, and buyer demand.
Transportation and Regional Access
Highway K provides road access to the property and connections to the surrounding Saint Clair area. Interstate 44 serves as an important regional transportation corridor near Saint Clair, connecting communities along the St. Louis–Springfield route. Local roads provide access to nearby services and outdoor destinations.
Driving times depend on the destination, traffic, and road conditions. Buyers should assess the route to work, schools, shopping, healthcare, and other regular destinations before making a purchase decision. Public transportation availability at this rural address has not been confirmed.
Shopping and Everyday Services
Saint Clair and nearby communities provide access to everyday services, including grocery shopping, fuel, restaurants, banking, pharmacies, and general retail. A broader selection of shopping and professional services is available throughout Franklin County and neighboring communities.
Because the property is situated outside the central part of Saint Clair, buyers should consider their preferred shopping destinations and verify current business locations and operating hours. The availability of individual services may change over time.
Parks and Recreation
The surrounding region offers opportunities for outdoor recreation, including access to river environments, wooded landscapes, and public outdoor areas. The property description identifies nearby access to Onondaga and Redhorse park areas, as well as a local golf course within the broader area.
The Meramec River setting, bluff terrain, wooded acreage, and natural cave give this property its own distinctive outdoor character. Buyers should distinguish between the private access described for the property and access to public parks or other recreation areas. Exact access points, permitted activities, opening conditions, and seasonal restrictions should be confirmed before planning visits.
Utilities and Connectivity in the Area
Electricity, private wells, and septic systems are relevant to rural properties in the Saint Clair area. The specific service arrangement at this property includes a private well and septic system, with electricity connected and propane listed as leased. These property-specific arrangements should be evaluated independently of general service availability in the community.
Broadband, fiber, fixed wireless, and cellular coverage can vary significantly between central Saint Clair and outlying rural roads. Exact internet providers, service speeds, and cellular signal strength at this address have not been confirmed. Buyers who work remotely or depend on high-speed connectivity should verify service options at the property before closing.
Development and Planning
No specific proposed, pending, approved, or under-construction development project affecting the immediate property area has been reliably established for inclusion here. Buyers interested in future land use should confirm current zoning, subdivision requirements, road projects, recorded easements, and applicable planning decisions with the relevant local authorities.
The advertised unrestricted status of the acreage should not be interpreted as an exemption from building codes, environmental requirements, floodplain regulations, septic approvals, or other applicable rules. Proposed projects and planning changes should be evaluated according to their documented status at the time of purchase.
Property Summary
| Property Type | Single-family residence; bungalow and cottage style |
|---|---|
| Street Address | 1884 Highway K |
| City | Saint Clair |
| County | Franklin County |
| State | Missouri |
| ZIP Code | 63077 |
| Bedrooms | 2 |
| Bathrooms | 1 full bathroom |
| Interior Living Area | 1,128 square feet |
| Lot Size | Approximately 11.8 acres |
| Year Built | 1915 |
| Parcel Number | 3030803001013000 |
| Subdivision | Piney Bluff Park |
| Property Condition | Updated and remodeled |
| Heating | Forced air, heat pump, and wood heat |
| Cooling | Central air conditioning and ceiling fans |
| Water | Private well |
| Wastewater | Private septic system |
| Electricity | Connected; single-phase service listed |
| Fuel | Leased propane; wood heat also available |
| Garage | Detached four-car garage |
| Total Parking | 8 listed spaces, including 4 garage spaces |
| Additional Structures | Detached bonus room, outbuilding, workshop, and storage structures |
| Land Features | Wooded acreage, bluff terrain, natural cave, and sloping ground |
| Water Features | Meramec River access and riverfront features listed |
| Exterior Spaces | Two side decks, two front porches, and additional porch areas |
| Foundation Areas | Cellar, crawl space, and partial unfinished basement with walk-out access |
| Annual Property Tax | $1,019 |
| Tax Assessed Value | $16,835 |
| Homeowners Association | No HOA listed |
| Road Surface | Asphalt |
| Listing Terms | Cash, conventional, FHA, USDA, and VA financing listed as potential options; buyer and lender eligibility applies |
Explore 1884 Highway K
Explore the full property listing, review the available details, and determine whether this wooded river-access retreat in Saint Clair, Missouri, fits your plans.
View on Zillow — $279,900Property photography and visual materials are credited to their original photographers and the property owners. Photographer and owner names were not available for individual attribution.