Long ago on independence square (Kansas City, Liberty: mining, future, recent)

[Mad Anthonie]

I think I can clear up this mystery. This morning I performed an examination of the suspect home. Here are my findings:

First, the historical view...



Now a modern view, from as close to the same angle as I could, adjusting for present obstructions. Note the chimney and window structures.



Next a full frontal view, which reveals a major clue.



Do you see the clue? Perhaps a closeup will help.



I conclude that the historical photo is indeed of this house, and that there have been numerous alterations to the structure over the years.

[MRG Dallas]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

I think I can clear up this mystery. This morning I performed an examination of the suspect home. Here are my findings:

First, the historical view...



Now a modern view, from as close to the same angle as I could, adjusting for present obstructions. Note the chimney and window structures.



Next a full frontal view, which reveals a major clue.



Do you see the clue? Perhaps a closeup will help.



I conclude that the historical photo is indeed of this house, and that there have been numerous alterations to the structure over the years.

"Numerous alterations"? Looks more like they lobotomized the front of the house! I wonder why

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by MRG Dallas

"Numerous alterations"? Looks more like they lobotomized the front of the house! I wonder why

Looking them over again the other possibility is that they are different houses by the same builder/architect. I'm actually leaning more toward that opinion now. But the current structure has definitely been altered.

[MRG Dallas]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

Looking them over again the other possibility is that they are different houses by the same builder/architect. I'm actually leaning more toward that opinion now. But the current structure has definitely been altered.

I still maintain the frontal lobotomy theory. Look at the distance from the front of the houses to the street. The BnB sits back further, thus my argument much of the yard resulted from chopping off the house . . Perhaps there was a fire in that portion and it was scaled back as a result?

Your mission, Anthonie, should you choose to accept it . . . (cue Lalo Schifrin themesong)

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by MRG Dallas

I still maintain the frontal lobotomy theory. Look at the distance from the front of the houses to the street. The BnB sits back further, thus my argument much of the yard resulted from chopping off the house . . Perhaps there was a fire in that portion and it was scaled back as a result?

Your mission, Anthonie, should you choose to accept it . . . (cue Lalo Schifrin themesong)

What do the rest of you think, is this the same house?

Wake up Weimlover, we need your expertise!

[MRG Dallas]

An alternative theory:

The house was originally built, as we see it now. Later there was an addition, thus explaining the original bricking and marks on the front. For whatever reason, that addition was subsequently removed.

[WCHS'59]

I posted something similar yesterday and pushed a button and don't know where it went. At any rate, the above photo shows the original stairway entrances to what is now the Truman Memorial building. The Pleasant Street side steps went up straight from the sidewalk. As a small kid I thought these stairs were really steep. They were rearranged in the early fifties. I had thought the Maple Street side sent straight up from the sidewalk also but this photo shows differently.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

What do the rest of you think, is this the same house?

Wake up Weimlover, we need your expertise!

The chimneys in both look similar.

[MRG Dallas]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

The chimneys in both look similar.

Just got off the phone with the owner and she confirms there was the porch and the street facing dormers. She couldn't say much about whether there was much of an addition, nor did she mention when or why the porch was razed.

Nevertheless, I think we have our answer. She did say the Masonic Lodge was built in about 1950 (and is still there) and that would explain what appears to be the vacant lot to the south. She also said the house further south was pre-Civil War.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by MRG Dallas

Just got off the phone with the owner and she confirms there was the porch and the street facing dormers. She couldn't say much about whether there was much of an addition, nor did she mention when or why the porch was razed.

Nevertheless, I think we have our answer. She did say the Masonic Lodge was built in about 1950 (and is still there) and that would explain what appears to be the vacant lot to the south. She also said the house further south was pre-Civil War.

That one further south was probably the one the church across the street razed to make way for a parking lot. There was a big to do at the time because of the destruction but the church needed parking, as I recall.