This home was built by Herman F. Schmelzer at the turn of the last century. Originally standing at 3218 Gladstone Boulevard, this home was moved diagonally across the street by R.A. Long- one of three he relocated to clear the land for his own home's construction. The R.A. Long Home later became the Kansas City Museum. The address now is 3401 Gladstone Boulevard.
The Schmelzer home is second from the left in this picture. Both of the houses on the left were moved to make way for the R.A. Long mansion. Another was also moved but does not appear in this picture.
Herman F. Schmelzer was born in Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1866. His father had established an arms business in 1857 and Herman, when grown, joined the firm. The Schmelzer Arms Company moved to Kansas City in 1886 and expanded into sporting goods. Herman was vice-president and secretary of the company.
When I say the home was "moved" across the street... it means exactly that. Jack up, placed on huge wooden beams and pulled by mule teams. The job was done by Grant Renne and Sons... a company that is still in business today, although they no longer move homes. Below was the crew during the process.
The home is now on the market. Someone had purchased it, gutted a lot of it and then was unable to complete the job. Below are pictures of it as it is today. A lot of original features remain.
The picture above shows where the original address, "3218", was chiseled into the rock. The "3" and "2" are most easily made out.
Front rooms, the entryway is on the right in the above image. Below, all pocket doors are still in place.
Above, the kitchen.
Above, stairs to second floor. Below, rooms on the second floor.
Above, third floor landing. Below rooms on the third floor.
The roof is at least 15 feet higher than the ceiling.
Third floor was most likely servants quarters. It was an apartment for years.
For information on this home contact Dylan VanGerpen: dylanvangerpen@kw.com
Above and below, the front entryway.
