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| How to Find Us | |
| The Cross House,
built in 1894, by Emporia's first Mayor, H.C. Cross, has gone through
many owners and many changes in it's better than 110 year
history. The house was built on the property of the Cross's
former residence of 30 years. After the death of
H.C.
& Susan Cross,
the house was inhabited for a short time by the T.L Matkins
family. In 1909 it was purchased by
Dr.
William Meffert
and became known as Meffert Hospital. From 1912 until 1919 the
house was
occupied by the Sigma Epsilon
Fraternity. In 1920, the Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority inhabited the
house for one year. In 1926 the house was purchased
by
Scott
Mouse Sr.
and the second floor was converted into three apartments. In
1940, his son,
Scott
Mouse Jr., still a resident of Emporia, converted the house
into
the Mouse Palace Motel. The house was purchased by
Frank
& Ester
Toms in 1960 and housed the Chi
Omega Sorority and
later was ran as a boarding
house. After their deaths, the house was sold to Harry
W Thompson in
1993. It sat vacant, boarded up and vandalize until
Robert
&
Deborah Rodak purchased it in 1999 and began its long
restoration. Also during the house's life it spent time as
the
Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. The Rodaks are presently living at the house next door (the Cross temporary house while the big house was being built) and plan to move back into the Cross house in about 5 years. They plan to use the house as their personal residence and create a house museum, on the first floor, celebrating the house and all its past owners. We will feature photos, the most complete history of the past owners and regularly open it to the public and individuals doing research. |
524 Union, The Servants Quarters? |
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| The Centennial Elm | |
| The House Blueprints (Updated 11/18/04) | |
| The Cross
Family Tree |
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Cross
Family Grave Site Record & Photos (Updated 12/16/04) |
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| House
Original Colors |
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| Letters
Recieved About The Cross House |
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| Historic
News Articles (Update 1/18/07) |
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| Original
Deeds |
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| The
Current
Restoration |
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| The Dream (Future Restoration Plans) (Updated 12/11/04) |
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| Photos of Events |
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| Halloween
2006 (Updated 9/14/07) |
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| Historical
Society Christmas Tour 2006 |
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| 5th
Grade Tour for Historic Preservation Month 2007 |
The Cross House 1894
526
Union Street,, Emporia, Kansas
Click Photos Below to See
More Pictures from that Era
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| 1909
- Meffert
Hospital 1909-1915 (Updated 11/25/04) |
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| 1999
- Harry
& Bernita
Thompson 1993-1999 (Updated 11/27/04) |
2004
- Robert
&
Deborah Rodak 1999-Present (Updated 11/19/04) |
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The Cross House Restoration Lovingly Started in 1999 by Robert & Deborah Rodak. This House Belongs to All Of Emporia. We Are Only the Present Caretakers! Click for restoration pictures
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Our
Site Is A Work In
Progress.
Please Check Back As
We Add New
Information.
If You Have
Suggestions For Us
Novice Web Designers
With Either Format Or
Content,
Please
Email Us At bobanddebbi@thecrosshouse.org
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Important Links
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| Sign
Our Guest Book (not active yet) |
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| A Very Big Thank You To Those Who Have Already Helped Us ! | |||
| We Need Your Help! |
| As
evidenced by
the 8 year, slow, steady pace of the restoration, it is obvious that
this is a huge undertaking for a family of average resources.
This house is very important
to everyone in Emporia for preserving our history and to Emporia's
tourism industry. |
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Donations of any kind are greatly
appreciated. Any of the following would be considered
helpful. We
will permanently honor everyone who help us in any way.
1. Artifacts that once belonged to the original or subsequent owners for the house museum. 2. Old photos and newspaper articles of and about the house and past owners are valued and wanted. (We can make copies if necessary). 2. Donation or loan of antiques for decorating the first floor house museum. 3. Financial Donations. 4. Donations of Professional Services for restoring the house. 5. Donations of Materials for restoring the house. 6. Grant Writing Assistance 7. Research Assistance at County Archive, Public Library & College Archive. 8. Retyping news articles so that all information may eventually be posted as an on-line resource. |
| If you are not able to donate with skills
or financially,
letting everyone in our city know how important you feel that preserving this house is
to our history and our town's tourism would be
appreciated. |
| Write a letter to the
Emporia Gazette, City Commissioners, City Manager, Emporia Chamber
& Visitors Bureau, Lyon County Historical Society or Write Us a
Letter for Display on our Website and In Our Museum |
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| 2006 Historical Society Holiday Homes Tour |
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| Bob & Debbi |