Looking Back: Remodeling a historic home

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society

 
If you have driven through the older parts of Grain Valley in the past year, you will have noticed that several older homes have gotten a face-lift. It’s almost like the Napiers have come to town; Erin and Ben from the popular TV show, “Home Town” on HGTV. And no, they aren’t related; well maybe! Ben Napier’s ancestors do come from the same area in Northern Scotland where my father was born. However, there are so many men with the same names; Ben, James William, Alexander, Charlie; that I have not been able to make a connection.

This week’s house is on Front Street in what may have been part of the Davis Addition.

The photograph above shows Nadine O’Connell outside the family home on Front Street. Nadine was born to John Thomas and Creola (Warren) O’connell on November 14, 1906. The information on the back of the photo only read “Nadine outside our home on Front Street.” From her size, I would imagine the photograph was taken in the summer of 1909 or 1910, because by 1911 Nadine had a baby sister, Danese. I’m guessing both girls would have been in the picture.

By the 1950s I remember this home as the residence of Grandma Heidelberger. No, she wasn’t my grandmother, but it seemed like everyone in our then small town called her grandma. She was Margaret (McAlexander) Heidelberger (1870-1954), and she was the widow of August Heidelberger (1862-1928) an immigrant from Baden, Germany.

I used to visit Grandma Heidelberger with my grandmother when I was quite young. I don’t remember who lived there after she died, and I don’t believe I was ever in the house after that time. I do know the house was owned by Nancy Totton and I assume it was inherited by her children after her recent death.

Of course, the history buff in me would have gone for the original architectural style, but I’m really just happy this much older home in Grain Valley is being preserved and not torn down. Next time you are in town, cruise down Front Street and see the transformation taking place to this old house.  It must be at least 125 years young. That’s what I believe you would call a house with “good bones!”