Permission granted to copy this photo. Nelson Court

Obituary - The Kansas City Star - May 15, 1946

Resolution: The Kansas City Times - May 16, 1946

One of the oldest homes in Hyde Park, this Queen Anne Victorian was one of the first built for speculation by the investment firm of Jarvis-Conklin in 1888 on Locust Street and Oak Street (now Gillham Road). Three of the homes remain today from what was then an unincorporated suburb of both Westport and Kansas City. An early (1895-1898) resident of the home was accountant E. Stanley Young, who is rumored to have introduced the game of golf to Kansas City. In 1899, the house was bought by lawyer Alfred R. Gregory and his wife Josephine. They owned the home for over half a century and substantially altered its appearance with a large addition in 1909. Harry and Maude Boling were the next owners, living in the house from 1951 until 1981.

Reading the exterior of an old home can be a challenge even for trained architectural historians. There are two parts to this house: one part was built in 1888 and was added on in 1909. It is hard to tell but clues can be seen in the porch columns (round one side, square on other), the different window trim, window style, and window sizes, and the changing decorative moldings. The front tower is original, as is the north side of the wrap-around porch. The south side of the front of the house was added in 1909. The addition doubled the size of the first floor living room and second floor master bedroom. A second tower, now hidden from view from the front of the house, can be seen on the south façade. The small enclosed porch in the south tower, located off one of the second floor bedrooms, was originally open.

Original features include wood trim and moldings, door hardware, fireplace mantels and hardware floors. Pocket doors separate the living room from the dining room that includes a crystal chandelier. Upstairs, a sitting room with fireplace is located in the tower and connects to the large master bedroom. Three additional bedrooms are located on this floor.