The Nine Lives of the Great Lady
The interesting thing about life is that we constantly evolve and grow, always changing. Niles house on 12th Street in Baxter Springs, Kansas. This remarkable home has had a long and ever evolving life and she’s not nearly done. It started as a dream, built by Mr. Niles for his family, to house their hopes and memories. Built entirely by hand, it is designed in an
Italianate style with beautiful hip roof and cupola, decorative posts and arches, and four lovely chimney. The great lady was dressed to the nines for the time and stood dressed for the party on one of the main throughways in Baxter Springs. Niles was a pillar in the community being a businessman and temporary mayor, which that’s is a story for another time, I encourage you to hear it. However, as all too often in the late 1800’s, tragedy fell upon the family, they lost a daughter and eventually went bankrupt after only living in the home three years. In 1875 Colonel William March, Union Army Officer and two-time post master, purchased the house for a whopping $37.50, yes you read that correctly. Only seven years later in 1902, misfortune too fell on Colonel March, his wife passed away and he lost the house. After that the home passed through numerous owners and tenets until it came to rest in the hands on the Baxter Springs Women’s Club who rented the home from 1938 to 1956. During that time the great lady enjoyed being a center for meetings and social gatherings. In 1956 the Women’s Club disbanded and the house was purchased by the local Episcopal congregation becoming, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Many still remember the church bell that hung in the proud cupola of the house ringing in Sunday worship. In 1977, the Episcopal congregation disbanded leaving the great lady once again floundering in the wind. She reverted back to being a residence and housed numerous tenets over the years, but eventually falling into disrepair. The frills on her once lovely party dress frayed and sagging. The great lady, weathered and worn but willful waited to lay claim on the right new owner, one who would see her strength and grace and breathe the life back into her. She’s a stubborn soul, but when you’ve got over 100 years under your belt you’re allowed to be, and she needed someone to work with her, to help restore her. And she found just the right person, one who honors her past but hopes to build her future. Like any lady, of a certain age, she’s got history and a story, she’s been the center of hope and heartbreak, society and sainthood, and birth and baptism, but she’s by no means done yet. Little by little because you don’t dare rush a lady, she’s on her way back to being the grand dame again, her shoulders no longer sag they stand proud and straight, she holds her head up tall overseeing all who enter the town. I invite you to come see her, she likes company, and although I forewarn you she’s not fond of dogs in the parlor, she’s really rather friendly. What will this next life of the Rial A. Niles house be? Only time will tell but I do know one thing, the great lady, she’ll be as lovely as she ever was.
