Purchase Price $149,500
3 bed (each side)· 2,236 sqft
This historic brick duplex has very large living spaces on both sides. There is the potential for four bedrooms per side with a formal dining room, main floor laundry, walnut staircases, rear entrances and stairs. Both sides are leased with long-term stable tenants. Appliances remain; newer electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems.
Contact: Craig Garwood -- Coldwell Banker
Call: (816) 351-2000
House History & Gallery
This historic brick duplex evokes a very early period in St. Joseph history; there are few properties still standing that were built during the Civil War. The property was lucky to have been purchased and restored by the iconic St. Joseph preservationist Barbara Ide so it retains important period details.
This property is characterized by the relatively large number of strong women involved with it. Indeed, some of them were somewhat scandalous. When Johanna Steele Rogers moved in to 527 in 1898, the neighborhood must have been full of gossip. She had been involved in two relatively scandalous events just before coming to live on North 8th St. She had divorced her husband Edward P. in 1885, something that always caused raised eyebrows in the late 19th century. Then in December 1897, she was involved in the lawsuit concerning her brother D.M. Steele’s estate. This suit pitted members of the family against one another in an attempt to overturn D.M.’s will. The drama in Johanna’s life did not end when she moved in to 527; in March 1899 a thief broke in to her home and Johanna was robbed of jewelry some of which was located at a local moneylender and jeweler. Less scandalous, but perhaps more impactful was well-known local musician Mary Lyon who lived in 529 from 1908 to 1940. She made her living as a church organist and a music teacher. She was a popular figure among the music lovers of the City. In the 1980s the duplex was purchased and restored by prominent St. Joseph preservationist Barbara Ide, who was responsible for the listing of Hall Street as a historic district. It was one of the first historic properties she owned. She purchased it after she had become involved in the fight against urban renewal and to save Robidoux Row and Market Square saying if she was going to fight to save historic properties, she ought to own one.
Without a doubt, the most prominent person to call the Askin Duplex home was Walter C. Bartlett who lived in 527 from 1929 to 1935. Bartlett was president of the Bartlett Mortgage Company and was a member of the prominent Bartlett family. While he was in residence, the lovely duplex on N. 8th played host to some of the most well known people in the city including Milton Tootle. Its location so close to Hall Street made it a perfect place to entertain.
This duplex is a contributing structure in the Hall Street National Register District. As Hall Street is a locally designated historic district this property is protected by the design guidelines, which are overseen by the Landmarks Commission. This historic property is eligible for local grants such as the Save Our Heritage Grants administered by the City of St. Joseph.
