In addition to finding a gem of a house, we have also found a gem of a neighborhood. Squier Park is rich in history, architecture, and camaraderie. The neighbors have been so welcoming, and not just the ones living in the houses immediately north and south, but everyone we have met. And we have already met more Squier Park neighbors in four months than we have met in four years in our current neighborhood. I announced at the neighborhood association meeting that I would like to write a National Register nomination for all of Squier Park and within 24 hours I had 5 volunteers. It is a great group of creative, thoughtful, engaging individuals and families. I can’t wait to actually move in.
Squier Park plat 1908
The history of Squier Park is fascinating as well. James J. Squier first platted the land surrounding his expansive manor home adjacent to the Troost Avenue cable car line in 1887 when it was still five blocks south of the city limits. Squier’s son-in-law Robert V. Jones filed a new plat in 1908 that incorporated development concepts popular at the time, including winding streets that respond to the topography of the land and dictating the architectural character of the neighborhood.
Intersection of Manheim Road and East 39th Street
And did I mention the architecture? Jones wanted each house to have a different design. Victorian, Craftsman, Prairie, Colonial Revival, Classical Revival, Tudor Revival, Shingle, International Style, you name it, it’s here. Many of them were designed by some of Kansas City’s heavy hitters: Louis Curtiss, Smith, Rea & Lovitt, John McKecknie, Nelle E. Peters, Alice Jackson, Frederick Michaelis, Selby Kurfis, Shepard & Farrar. Squier Park is a veritable catalog of early twentieth century architecture. Most are highly intact and lovingly restored. The idea that our house will be among them is great motivation.
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