215 S 5th Street, Independence, KS 67301

Greek Revival mansion built exclusively for Harry F Sinclair, founder of Sinclair Oil. This residence was constructed for approximately $25,000 and originally featured 12 rooms. It is defined by its huge pillars and a distinctive red tile roof and has seven bedrooms total with two in the attic hosted as additional guest bedrooms. The fifth bedroom on the second floor gives way to a nursery room. The interior is notable for its extensive use of Birdseye Maple woodwork and hand-carved wood pillars. It has a unique staircase with risers in the main staircase that were built shorter than normal specifically for Sinclair, who walked with a limp following a hunting accident. It features an impressive entry area with a grand staircase to the second floor. Elegant formal area with a library/study, formal dining, and kitchen with laundry on an enclosed porch. Two gorgeous fireplaces are featured in the living room and library. A pocket door takes you into the library that features a beautiful beamed ceiling with a fireplace and half bath and it walks out to the big porch on the west side. The second floor consists of four to five bedrooms with the primary bedroom on the front of the house. It opens up to the amazing balcony that goes the full length of the front porch and side porch to the south. The walk up attic is unfinished in the main part, but once featured a bath that is nonfunctional, but could be brought back to life. There are multiple gas light fixtures that could back in place including a fixture that goes in the portico. The attic also has a rainwater catcher that could be functional again. The basement has a very cool poker/recreation room that once gave use to poker/card games and has a fireplace and half bath as well. The basement windows open up on to the east and south side of the porch. Beautiful landscaping with trees and flowers and just a few blocks from downtown Independence, KS.