​Looking Back: Will Houses Built Today Last 100 Years Plus?

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society

Along Walnut Street, Circa Early 1900s
 
According to the Grain Valley Property Tax book, in 1920, this house was owned by A. O Thieme. His land was described as “f .25/100 S. Beginning NW Corner Lot 6 Davis Place W. 80 feet S. 140 ft. #. 80 ft. N. 140 ft to beginning. It was listed as “Grain Valley Irregular,“ meaning it was not part of any platted addition. Also written in the tax book was the following information: Section 35, Township 49, Range 30. In 1920, Mr. Thieme paid $6.00 in taxes on this house, occupied by Mrs. Vermillion.

By 1924, the house was owned by Mrs. Mary C. Banks and W. H. Gardner and the tax was only $4.50. The tax levy was 25-cents which I can only assume was on each $100 of assessed valuation.  By 1933, still listed as “irregular,” the property must have been split as Mr. Gardner paid $4 on part of the property and Albert M White also paid $4 for his share.  It remained that way for a few years.  Mr. White ran a grocery store on the east side of Main Street.

Fast forward to the 1940s and these two properties were owned by Aurlie Wylee and Charles R. Steele. Taxes on the house in the photograph were paid by Mr. Wylee. The last record I have for 1944 shows the property was still listed as” irregular” and the taxes of $3.30 were paid by Fred M. Roberts.

Last week, while taking a walk on Walnut Street, I saw a former classmate, Mike Feagans. He and his wife are the current occupants of this cute old house. He told me his daughter had wondered why there were two front doors. Mike was able to tell her about “the parlor.”

We didn’t discuss taxes, but I’m thinking they pay a bit more than $3.30!