When a vernacular farmhouse on the High Plains of western Kansas was abandoned in favor of a sleek new ranch-style house in the mid 1950’s, it was emptied and forgotten about. It had received minimal (if any) maintenance in the following sixty-odd years and is today termite-riddled in some areas. Its simple plan (two rooms up and two rooms down with a kitchen wing at the rear) was typical of many late nineteenth-century homesteads in the region, few of which survive.
The house appears to have been updated twice in the past century-and-a-half. In the gable ends, three-over-one windows replaced the original four-over-fours sometime around 1920. Later, it received wide replacement siding on the exterior — probably in the 1940’s or ’50’s — coinciding with a garage addition, rear porch enclosure, and some minor interior changes which appear to have been made at roughly the same time.
Spring is trying to spring here, and it felt good to get outside for a day and explore. With the permission of the owners, I was able to spend a few minutes in the house this weekend. Photographs were hurried, and I was not able to capture all that I wanted to. I apologize for the lack of expansive room images; the photos I took are somewhat more detail-oriented. The simplicity of the place — and the numerous original materials which have survived — are a good reminder that life for many people in rural areas remained quite primitive well into the mid-twentieth century.
The modest attempts at modernization of the interior now look incredibly dated themselves. Though void of furniture, the house retains a strong time-capsule presence:
The house is partially obscured by numerous cedar trees. The lawn of buffalo grass has yet to spring to life.
Five chamfered porch posts span the modest façade. Each has been bolstered in some manner with later stabilization efforts. Wide clapboards, the product of a mid-century attempt at modernization, do little to disguise the 1880’s character of the vernacular farmhouse. A second door — to the right of the remaining door — is now hidden by the siding but once connected the parlor and porch prior to the mid-century updates. The barn at left, still functional, has been given more attention and care in recent decades.
A four-over-four double-hung window survived the modernization efforts. Note that the vertical (center) muntin is much wider than the thin horizontal muntins. This is typical of Italianate window sash and done in order to emphasize verticality.
The exterior of the front door. The knob and rim lock have clearly been relocated; “ghosts” of a previous installation remain beneath layers of paint. The upper panels of the door are original and reveal a raised panel. The lower panels are later replacements and are perfectly flush. A kattywampus keyhole escutcheon was painted-over without regard to orientation; this casual effort at painting was likely the last the house had seen in decades.
As seen from the interior, a simple patch of tin covers the scars of the original rim lock location.
The original parlor door is still in place but is obscured by wallpaper and paint. Note the small shelf attached to the door… it appears to have been added to accommodate a telephone (as evidenced by the telephone jack seen on an adjacent wainscot slightly below the door’s rim lock). The wall perpendicular to the door was itself modified with open shelving in a somewhat tragic effort at modernization c. 1945.
A pair of Craftsman-era windows replace what was likely a single four-over-four window originally. Note the ceiling of wide beaded board (wider than the beaded wainscot).
The kitchen was likely originally in the rear wing. This front room, possibly once a dining room, served as a kitchen when updated in the 1940’s. A medicine cabinet remains above the sink — the most logical place for it given that the house never had a bathroom. Note that the sink has no faucet. Where did the water come from?
Here. The water for the house came from this pump. A row of trees was planted in an attempt to subdue the seemingly never-ending prairie wind. An outhouse once stood a similar distance from the other side of the house.
The stair to the second floor starts in the kitchen. A pantry is below the stairs. Yellow linoleum covers the beadboard wainscot in an effort at modernization. At the upper right may be seen the flue hole which served a former cook stove.
Cheerful wallpaper and tile-emulating linoleum tried valiantly to erase the plain, late-nineteenth century, reality of the house.
Wallpaper covers the glass panes of the back door which leads to the rear wing (likely the original kitchen). Linoluem covers the wainscot while gray paint makes an arbitrary attempt at disguising the door.
A folding door above the stairwell helped to retain heat on the ground floor during the winter months. This arrangement was typical of many early and modest houses in the region (in absence of an enclosed stairwell with a door).
A simple balustrade gives the folding door a place to rest when open.
An awkward and inaccessible bit of floor above the stairs. Note that the baseboard was installed prior to plastering… the plaster is flush with the face of the baseboard.
At the top of the stairs, a board-and-batten door leads to the other room. It is made of wide beaded boards and fitted with a rim lock and fancy cast iron steeple hinges. The red stripes on the ceiling are remnants of a former decor centered around a circus theme… the red stripes were meant to suggest being under the “big top“.
The other side of the door. A block of wood was added behind the rim lock to give thickness to the door so that the lock would meet up with the jamb-mounted catch. Circus-themed wallpaper sets the tone for what had obviously once been a child’s room.
Many circus attractions are here… (even if not politically correct by today’s standards): The fat lady, the thin man, the magician with requisite rabbit-in-a-hat, the strong man, the ferris wheel, the roller coaster, a balloon and cotton candy…
To complement the decor, someone painted a closet door of plywood with a depiction of a ballerina on a swing.
Within the closet, remnants of an earlier decor remain.
Outside, short and squat Craftsman-era windows contrast with the original tall and narrow Italianate window which survives beneath the porch roof. To the left of the corner may be seen a short pipe — this drained the waste water from the kitchen sink directly to the outside. To the right of the corner is a cable which connects the lightning rod to the ground.
A clumsy porch enclosure.
Inside the enclosed porch, original clapboards reveal the intended look of the exterior. This wing, possibly an early addition, sports two-over-two windows. Note that the lower sash was glazed with four pieces of glass (presumably because larger pieces were not available at the time the window was installed or repaired).
The rear wing with adjacent appendages.
The garage addition is awkward at best.
The house, in its locale, is a rare survivor from the late nineteenth century yet is soon destined for destruction.
I had not noticed the eyes before, but have to agree with your assessment! Is that a dog leering at her? You and the dog both have dirty minds! The story-and-a-half plan is similar to the “salt box” you asked about below, but without the deeper footprint and defining longer roof at the back of the house. This farmhouse appears to be a regional interpretation of a folk house built in the National style, about as non-descript as a style can get! This area used to have lots of houses like this one but they are very scarce today.
Poor house! Reminds me of mine a little or what it could have been if the owners had abandoned it after building their home next door in the 1960’s. I want the windows! 😀
I’ll be salvaging the windows… send me the dimensions you need! If these will work I’ll send them to you. I’m going to save as much as I can from the house before its unfortunate demise.
Glad you’ll be salvaging them!!! We are able to get cheaper windows locally, probably cheaper than it’d cost to send them but thanks anyway. I’m happy that they will not be smashed and lost forever, thanks for that too.
It is quite obvious that there was a lot of love in that house. They didn’t have much in the way of material things, but they went all out to ensure the kids room was the nicest room in the house. Love the politically incorrect wallpaper.
I own a home near Sedan, Kansas since 2003 very much like this. Seeing the more original layout more makes sense here. I have resurrected and updated a lot here. I have photo documented from the beginning. After seeing this I’m convinced mind was built prior to what I thought of 1892.
Thank you for the time I just spent in Kansas fantasy land. What a treat, to be escorted through this house and have it all described and the details explained. I was truly transported back a hundred years or so for just a few minutes. I love when you have a new post.
Thanks, Bethany! I wish I could post every day, but time just doesn’t allow for that right now. IÂ hope to post more frequently this spring and summer… I have a few road trips planned!
Thanks for documenting these plain and modest houses from decades and centuries past. When we become enamored with the architecture and beauty of extravagant homes of the upper class that have survived, it can be easy to forget that the average person from those times lived in much humbler dwellings.
The little details and changes over the years on this place really do tell stories about the occupants and their lives, from the decoration in the kid’s room to the crude-but-functional repairs. Thanks for sharing this with all of us 🙂
You’re welcome! I’ve always been drawn to these kinds of places… the houses and buildings which slip through the cracks and go uncelebrated (even by many historians) because they are too plain or too crude. Without them, however, we are left with a very distorted impression of what the past was really like for most people. Thanks for caring!
I’m also curious how this house was left in such good condition for 60 years unused? It doesn’t look like it was repurposed for livestock or storage, but kept standing with some effort and care. Perhaps the owners still had a sentimental attachment even after moving into the new ranch house? Maybe they were the children who had grown up inside this house, and had fond memories with their family there?
I wish that I could save the house. Unfortunately, it is not mine. It has extensive termite damage which would be costly and difficult to repair. The owners plan to build a new house nearby and do not want this one to remain. The best I can do is to document it and salvage what I can. We are very grateful for the doors, window and ceiling that the owners gave us.
I currently live in a similar farmhouse, original two side by side rooms with both doors still present, built in 1883. Walnut Grove, MO. This was a welcome sight as it lets me see what may be under the painted mid century paneling and square tile ceilings. Many of the windows are the wavy, cylinder glass? If you know of any books about houses like this, of other reference material, I would appreciate any information you could point me to. I love my old place.
Houses similar to this one (and yours, no doubt) can be found all across the nation.  They are indeed lovable! Considered a form rather than a style, the “Hall and Parlor” form is two rooms wide and one room deep and has been popular in the US since the Colonial period (though losing popularity after the early twentieth century).  Later versions often incorporate a rear addition — either longitudinal or a perpendicular wing.  Larger versions may have two attic rooms above the main rooms.  Derived from traditional British folk forms, these houses can be built of log, stone, brick or wood. Each region of the country developed its own vernacular take on construction which evolved over time. Â
Here is a link to information about housing types in the Ozarks — the Hall and Parlor form is included and a similar house is pictured in figure [10] :
Internet searches for “Hall and Parlor”, “Folk houses” and “National Style houses” will give you plenty of information and leads to pursue. Â Good luck with your research and have fun!
My two main rooms are generally 15’ x 15’, minus a few offsets for stairs and closet, added later. Two front entrances still intact. 🙂 Finished upstairs same footprint.
Same flooring as the downstairs, yellow pine I think.
Basically mirror image that once shared a central chimney
In the center on the shared wall. Built 1883
Kitchen approximately 12’ x 15.5’ added later, guessing 1930’s. Bath and laundry added, not sure of a time frame.
If I can locate the diagram, would be glad to email it to you.
I love my ole house!
Sounds familiar! My house has bath, kitchen, laundry added behind, and two attic rooms. It also has two gabled dormers in the front.
Thank you so much for the information!
I found similar styles of wall paper in my old home. Instead of a circus theme it’s a fairyland scene with carriages and castles. In the boy’s room it’s speed boats and light houses. But same style print as the circus wallpaper. Any idea how old it is?
I found this story while researching hardware history for my circa 1870 Maine farmhouse. Our house has an interesting mix of iron rim and mortise locks, hand wrought pintle hinges and brown mineral door knobs. Also interesting was the use of hand split accordion lathe even though there would have been plenty of water powered saw mills in the area. The first floor has seen the most modifications but the upstairs is largely unaltered. Even though several of the upstairs doors had been removed, the previous owners like good Mainers just put them in the attic so years later I didn’t have to look far when restoring. Upstairs is where I am concentrating restoration efforts. I am also rebuilding the turn of the century front porch addition which was in poor condition due to the leaky roof. A perpendicular kitchen addition was added off the back of the house around the turn of the century. This may have been the same time they installed tin ceilings in the living and dining rooms. Knob and tube electrical wiring was probably added in the 20s or 30s. It is a labor of love that tries to balance practical living concerns with historic originality.
Your hand-split lath is fascinating… I’ve never heard of it being used at such a late date! There’s a story there somewhere. The house is lucky to have you.
I came upon you wonderful website and this particular article while researching the farmhouse interiors in Missouri and Kansas around 1918. I love my little farm house built in 1918 that now sits on main street of Garden City, MO, The charm and character are palpable.
As I have lived here for a year now and don’t have much information about the original design and footprint of the home I can see where additions and updates have been made but there are still several “head scratchers”, the most significant one being it has 2 front entrances with matching front doors and covered porches, that mirror each other. The house is most definitely a single family home and both doors enter into the same front room with a large picture window. I do know that there once was a back porch area that has since been enclose for storage or pantry.
I wish I knew what the original blueprint of this home was… I’m just so curious!! I noticed that you documented another front door on this home that has since been covered with siding and on the inside the door was wallpapered and paint to hide it. What’s with the 2 front doors? Is this a design feature from this time period? Thank you for your insight.
Many mid- to late-nineteenth century farmhouses had dual doors; one door was intended for family and informal occasions while the other was intended for guests. This same arrangement is sometimes seen in small towns and cities as well.
It is quite probable that there was once a wall between your two doors dividing the space into formal and informal use. This allowed for one room to always be presentable, even on short notice, while the rest of the house could comfortably meet the more realistic expectations of day-to-day life.
Check the floor, walls and ceiling in your front room for evidence of a previous partition… let us know what you find!
P.S. You noted that each front door on your house has its own porch… I’ve seen this arrangement before, too, and it frequently was done to denote an office entry for homeowners who maintained a business in their house. Some houses of the period even had three front doors: Formal, informal and business/office. If this is the case for your house, there might not be anything to look for in terms of a removed wall.
Am I the only one to notice the pair of eyes looking up under the skirt of the painted woman on the swing? Or do I just have a dirty mind, lol!
I had not noticed the eyes before, but have to agree with your assessment! Is that a dog leering at her? You and the dog both have dirty minds! The story-and-a-half plan is similar to the “salt box” you asked about below, but without the deeper footprint and defining longer roof at the back of the house. This farmhouse appears to be a regional interpretation of a folk house built in the National style, about as non-descript as a style can get! This area used to have lots of houses like this one but they are very scarce today.
Also, Am I right in thinking this is a derivative of the “salt box” house type?
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/bf/a5/31/bfa531da97e087dfdc5dcb92a2783f7f.jpg
Poor house! Reminds me of mine a little or what it could have been if the owners had abandoned it after building their home next door in the 1960’s. I want the windows! 😀
I’ll be salvaging the windows… send me the dimensions you need! If these will work I’ll send them to you. I’m going to save as much as I can from the house before its unfortunate demise.
Glad you’ll be salvaging them!!! We are able to get cheaper windows locally, probably cheaper than it’d cost to send them but thanks anyway. I’m happy that they will not be smashed and lost forever, thanks for that too.
It is quite obvious that there was a lot of love in that house. They didn’t have much in the way of material things, but they went all out to ensure the kids room was the nicest room in the house. Love the politically incorrect wallpaper.
I was touched by effort that went into the kid’s bedroom, also. The love was almost palpable inside.
I own a home near Sedan, Kansas since 2003 very much like this. Seeing the more original layout more makes sense here. I have resurrected and updated a lot here. I have photo documented from the beginning. After seeing this I’m convinced mind was built prior to what I thought of 1892.
Thank you for the time I just spent in Kansas fantasy land. What a treat, to be escorted through this house and have it all described and the details explained. I was truly transported back a hundred years or so for just a few minutes. I love when you have a new post.
Thanks, Bethany! I wish I could post every day, but time just doesn’t allow for that right now. IÂ hope to post more frequently this spring and summer… I have a few road trips planned!
Thanks for documenting these plain and modest houses from decades and centuries past. When we become enamored with the architecture and beauty of extravagant homes of the upper class that have survived, it can be easy to forget that the average person from those times lived in much humbler dwellings.
The little details and changes over the years on this place really do tell stories about the occupants and their lives, from the decoration in the kid’s room to the crude-but-functional repairs. Thanks for sharing this with all of us 🙂
You’re welcome! I’ve always been drawn to these kinds of places… the houses and buildings which slip through the cracks and go uncelebrated (even by many historians) because they are too plain or too crude. Without them, however, we are left with a very distorted impression of what the past was really like for most people. Thanks for caring!
I’m also curious how this house was left in such good condition for 60 years unused? It doesn’t look like it was repurposed for livestock or storage, but kept standing with some effort and care. Perhaps the owners still had a sentimental attachment even after moving into the new ranch house? Maybe they were the children who had grown up inside this house, and had fond memories with their family there?
Please don’t let this little house fall down. The wallpaper is so darling and linoleum flooring. It really is adorable.
I wish that I could save the house. Unfortunately, it is not mine. It has extensive termite damage which would be costly and difficult to repair. The owners plan to build a new house nearby and do not want this one to remain. The best I can do is to document it and salvage what I can. We are very grateful for the doors, window and ceiling that the owners gave us.
I currently live in a similar farmhouse, original two side by side rooms with both doors still present, built in 1883. Walnut Grove, MO. This was a welcome sight as it lets me see what may be under the painted mid century paneling and square tile ceilings. Many of the windows are the wavy, cylinder glass? If you know of any books about houses like this, of other reference material, I would appreciate any information you could point me to. I love my old place.
Houses similar to this one (and yours, no doubt) can be found all across the nation.  They are indeed lovable! Considered a form rather than a style, the “Hall and Parlor” form is two rooms wide and one room deep and has been popular in the US since the Colonial period (though losing popularity after the early twentieth century).  Later versions often incorporate a rear addition — either longitudinal or a perpendicular wing.  Larger versions may have two attic rooms above the main rooms.  Derived from traditional British folk forms, these houses can be built of log, stone, brick or wood. Each region of the country developed its own vernacular take on construction which evolved over time. Â
Here is a link to information about housing types in the Ozarks — the Hall and Parlor form is included and a similar house is pictured in figure [10] :
https://thelibrary.org/lochist/periodicals/ozarkswatch/ow902d.htm
Internet searches for “Hall and Parlor”, “Folk houses” and “National Style houses” will give you plenty of information and leads to pursue. Â Good luck with your research and have fun!
What size is your home? I am doing some archeological work in southern Minnesota and it would be helpful to know the footprint of your house. Thanks.
My two main rooms are generally 15’ x 15’, minus a few offsets for stairs and closet, added later. Two front entrances still intact. 🙂 Finished upstairs same footprint.
Same flooring as the downstairs, yellow pine I think.
Basically mirror image that once shared a central chimney
In the center on the shared wall. Built 1883
Kitchen approximately 12’ x 15.5’ added later, guessing 1930’s. Bath and laundry added, not sure of a time frame.
If I can locate the diagram, would be glad to email it to you.
I love my ole house!
Sounds familiar! My house has bath, kitchen, laundry added behind, and two attic rooms. It also has two gabled dormers in the front.
Thank you so much for the information!
I found similar styles of wall paper in my old home. Instead of a circus theme it’s a fairyland scene with carriages and castles. In the boy’s room it’s speed boats and light houses. But same style print as the circus wallpaper. Any idea how old it is?
It’s probably from the late 1940’s or early 1950’s. It was a great era for themed wallpaper!
I found this story while researching hardware history for my circa 1870 Maine farmhouse. Our house has an interesting mix of iron rim and mortise locks, hand wrought pintle hinges and brown mineral door knobs. Also interesting was the use of hand split accordion lathe even though there would have been plenty of water powered saw mills in the area. The first floor has seen the most modifications but the upstairs is largely unaltered. Even though several of the upstairs doors had been removed, the previous owners like good Mainers just put them in the attic so years later I didn’t have to look far when restoring. Upstairs is where I am concentrating restoration efforts. I am also rebuilding the turn of the century front porch addition which was in poor condition due to the leaky roof. A perpendicular kitchen addition was added off the back of the house around the turn of the century. This may have been the same time they installed tin ceilings in the living and dining rooms. Knob and tube electrical wiring was probably added in the 20s or 30s. It is a labor of love that tries to balance practical living concerns with historic originality.
Your hand-split lath is fascinating… I’ve never heard of it being used at such a late date! There’s a story there somewhere. The house is lucky to have you.
I came upon you wonderful website and this particular article while researching the farmhouse interiors in Missouri and Kansas around 1918. I love my little farm house built in 1918 that now sits on main street of Garden City, MO, The charm and character are palpable.
As I have lived here for a year now and don’t have much information about the original design and footprint of the home I can see where additions and updates have been made but there are still several “head scratchers”, the most significant one being it has 2 front entrances with matching front doors and covered porches, that mirror each other. The house is most definitely a single family home and both doors enter into the same front room with a large picture window. I do know that there once was a back porch area that has since been enclose for storage or pantry.
I wish I knew what the original blueprint of this home was… I’m just so curious!! I noticed that you documented another front door on this home that has since been covered with siding and on the inside the door was wallpapered and paint to hide it. What’s with the 2 front doors? Is this a design feature from this time period? Thank you for your insight.
Many mid- to late-nineteenth century farmhouses had dual doors; one door was intended for family and informal occasions while the other was intended for guests. This same arrangement is sometimes seen in small towns and cities as well.
It is quite probable that there was once a wall between your two doors dividing the space into formal and informal use. This allowed for one room to always be presentable, even on short notice, while the rest of the house could comfortably meet the more realistic expectations of day-to-day life.
Check the floor, walls and ceiling in your front room for evidence of a previous partition… let us know what you find!
P.S. You noted that each front door on your house has its own porch… I’ve seen this arrangement before, too, and it frequently was done to denote an office entry for homeowners who maintained a business in their house. Some houses of the period even had three front doors: Formal, informal and business/office. If this is the case for your house, there might not be anything to look for in terms of a removed wall.