Looking Back: Ellen's home gets new life

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society


Needless to say, I was overjoyed when I drove West on Front Street a few weeks ago and discovered that another home was being renovated, or as I like to say, brought back to life. While the historical part of me would like to see it painted white and restored with some of the original charm, I am just glad it isn’t being torn down.

The house is built on Lot 8 of Davis Place, an addition to Grain Valley filed with the Jackson County Recorder of Deeds on October 8, 1888 by William and Nancy Davis. Without some additional research (for a warmer day and another trip to the Recorder’s office at the courthouse in Independence, MO) I cannot tell you when this house was built or by whom.

What I can tell you is I have always referred to the home as the Snodgrass House.  That’s because, Ellen Snodgrass lived there in the 1950s and 60s. Ellen was the widow of Marvin Snodgrass (1888-1936) a farmer in Grain Valley. While Ellen  (Beyers) grew up in Blue Springs, Marvin was born (and died) in Grain Valley.

His grandparents came to Jackson County from Virginia, his father Parmer was born south of town and married Sarah Potts. Marvin’s sisters were May Corlew and Molly Roof long-time residents with homes next door to each other on Walnut Street, just across the back alley from “Aunt” Ellen.

No, she was not my aunt, but when I grew up, we call a female contemporary of our parents and grandparents either Mrs. or Aunt; it’s just what you did. I knew Aunt Ellen well because she was my first Sunday School teacher. She, along with her sisters-in-law, attended the old Methodist Church on Capelle Street and Aunt Ellen taught in the nursery for 35 years.

​I was one of the lucky children to receive her hugs, homemade cookies, and Bible stories back then. In the fall of 1952, I began 1st grade and so Aunt Hazel (Heidelburger) became my teacher. She lived in the house next door, Lot 9, Davis Place. Maybe that’s some history for another story.

Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society