McCaffrey House

208 N. Cody Rd.
http://www.visitleclaire.com/pilothomes.html

Physical Description: Two-story frame Italianate house on stone foundation. Exterior sheathed in narrow clapboards, with corner board extending to cornice level. Windows have curved wooden lintels and flat enframements, as does the main entrance, located to the right of the 3-bay main facade. The roof is a low hip, with plain, unbracketted wooden cornice. There is a two-story polygonal bay on the south side, with a bracketed cornice above the first story bay, Additions include a one-story screened porch on the south side, a large rock chimney at the rear. Located on a corner lot raised well above street level, with stone retaining wall on east and south sides. Built in 1870.

Significance: John McCaffrey was, over his long career, a boat clerk, pilot, captain, and raft boat owner, as well as having interests in lumber and mining ventures. Born in Ireland in 1842, he came with his family to St. Louis when a child. He began river life at age 13, as a hand on a floating raft, and by 1864 was piloting on the Upper Rapids on a regular basis, his first boat being the "Alvira." He bought interests in the "James Means" and "Le Claire Belle", as well as other steamers and raft boats. Toward the end of his life, McCaffrey left LeClaire, and became a planter in Louisiana. McCaffrey House is now the home of Grasshoppers Gift Shop and Tea Room.