The land at S.W. 11th and Topeka Blvd. where the Charles Curtis Home now stands, went first on public record Aug. 10th, 1859, when the Reverend Samuel Young Lum was given a warranty deed to the property from the City of Topeka.
Several people owned the property from that time until May, 1878, when Joseph C. Wilson bought the three lots for $120 each. Tax records from 1879 indicate he had built a very large house by then.
The structure is believed to be the work of Seymour Davis, a prominent architect of the time, although no actual construction records have been found. At the time it was built, the house was described as "not surpassed by any residence in the city."
The home was added to the Historical Register by the D.A.R. (Daughters of the American
Revolution) in 1976.
The historical Charles Curtis residence is an example of the eclectic style of architecture in Kansas. The two story is irregularly shaped with a full basement. When Charles Curtis moved in, he felt there was too much room for him, so he removed the stables along with a large section of twelve rooms at the back of the house.
Note the staircase, this woodwork was all hand-done, and great for a bride to throw her bouquet from.
The structure is believed to be the work of Seymour Davis, a prominent architect of the time, although no actual construction records have been found. At the time it was built it was described as "not surpassed by any residence in the city."
Still today, The Charles Curtis Home has the largest intact of parquetry for the area (parquetry - inlaid woodwork in geometric patterns, generally in floors)
The Charles Curtis residence is an example of the eclectic style of architecture in Kansas. The two-story structure is irregularly shaped with a full basement.
The home's design projects a free flowing appearance, which is enhanced by the rounded corners and gently curved lines. The building is constructed of red brick in a common bond pattern. The exterior trim is painted white. Horizontal white stone bands the first- and second floor lines and the roof line. A large porch supported on square masonry is located on the east side
The windows in the house are of a variety of sizes and shapes. There are many stained-glass windows throughout the house. It is thought that the stained-glass windows might be from Tiffany's, but this has not been checked on. On the first floor, the majority of the windows are rectangular, double hung sash type windows that generally occur in single openings. A large bay window on the second floor is situated on the north end of the house. Several windows have semicircular tops with arches of radial brick. Stone keystones are used in some of the arches. Flat stone lintels are used at
the windows on the east porch.
The 'face' on the hand carved banister rail was done by the artisan carpenters to represent the spirit that was thought to be protecting the house when it was built and to continue on protecting the home.
At the second floor these bands form the sills and lintels for the windows. The roof of the main portion of the house consists of four-sided bulbous domes, each with a spire. These domes rest on a decorative cornice, which features coupled brackets and a broad overhang.
Second floor windows range from single rectangles to openings with shallow arched tops. All second floor windows have stone sills and lintels. The second floor windows are either singles or grouped in twos and threes. Attic windows occur in narrow eyebrow like openings around the perimeter of the bulbous dome.
To really appreciate the beauty of the parquetry floors, the stained-glass windows; in my opinion you just need to visit the Charles Curtis homes for yourself to walk each room and feel the history there for yourself. Are you going to be visiting Topeka in the future?
Location - 1101 SW Topeka Boulevard, Topeka, Kansas
Directions from I-70
Going East? Exit 361B 8th Street Exit
Stay on 8th Street until 10th Street, turn right at the light on 10th; stay on 10th Street
from the light at Kansas Avenue, the Curtis Building will be on your left, continue on
until you reach the light at Topeka Blvd, then turn left, go 1 block to 11th Street, The
Curtis House is on the right side corner.
Going West? Exit 362C 10th Street Exit
stay on 10th Street
from the light at Kansas Avenue, the Curtis Building will be on your left, continue on
until you reach the light at Topeka Blvd, then turn left, go 1 block to 11th Street, The
Curtis House is on the right side corner.
There is a birthday celebration is usually held January 25th every year for Charles Curtis.
Personally, I would like to see the Charles Curtis Home on the Antiques RoadShow; just to see what their specialists would be interested in the most, the stained-glass, the parquetry floor, there are just too many good things to mention, just see it for yourself.
Return to Home Page http://www.vpcharlescurtis.net/index.html
Overview of Charles Curtis life
Timeline A: The Indians in Kansas
Timeline B : The timelines of Kansas and the USA
Timeline C - Major events and Famous Firsts
Biography A : Charles Curtis and his extended family genealogy.
Biography B : Charles Curtis (before going into Politics)
Politics and Beliefs of Charles Curtis
Legacy left by Charles Curtis
Memorials and donations
Signature Bldg. New Kansas State Office Building named for Charles Curtis
Resources and recommended books for reading.
Sponsors
Updated Feb 06, 2008
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A. M. Andrews
PO Box 1516
Topeka, Kansas 66601-1516
