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Jewell Historic District
Extension 40 - Introduction to the Jewell Historic District
Liberty is old and new, historic and progressive. The Jewell historic district contains some excellent examples of historic homes that were an important part of Liberty's history.
Extension 41 - 9 South Leonard
Across from the city parking lot at 9 South Leonard, stands a small stucco building, which housed the first Methodist Church in the area. The building was constructed in 1842 of bricks shipped from Philadelphia. It also was part of the Clay Seminary in the mid-1800s. Most recently, it houses the Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce.
Extension 42 - East Kansas Street
On the north side of Kansas Street east of Lightburne Street, note a series of neat cottage-style homes from the turn of the century era. Then, on the south side, see the Christian Church, noted for its stained-glass windows. The side doors of the church are open daily, go inside to the sanctuary for the full effect of the stained glass designs and colors.
Next-door is the former Lambda Chi fraternity house, now a private home. Circa 1900, the house was completely rebuilt after a fire several years ago destroyed it.
Note the Victorian architecture of the Geilker house at 471 East Kansas. Completed in 1890, it was the home of Dr. E.F. Miller, for whom the Liberty Junior High School building was named. With magnificent woodwork and Italian tile fireplaces, the house stood on a full quarter of a block with a stable in the rear for the doctor's horse and buggy. Owned by the Miller family until 1945, it was then purchased by the Wyatt Aull's. The Geilkers are only the third owners.
Extension 43 - Jewell Hall on the William Jewell College campus
Prominently visible on the hill east of Jewell Street is Jewell Hall. It is not only a building of classrooms and faculty offices for William Jewell College but it also serves as the symbol of the College. Dr. William Jewell was a physician in Columbia who had also served in the Missouri State Legislature and as the mayor of Columbia. A devout Baptist who had started the First Baptist Church in his hometown, Jewell offered the Baptists of Missouri $10,000 in land around the state if the denomination could raise $15,000 to start a men's ministerial school. This classic Greek revival architecture was begun in 1850 and first occupied in 1852. This building was designed by Dr. Jewell and he also hired the laborers, ordered the supplies and oversaw the construction. Dr. Jewell died of heatstroke August 1852 while working on this building. The building was finally completed in 1858. During the Civil War it was occupied twice by Union troops and used as a hospital and stable. The building was renovated in 1948 and again in 2000. The cupola on top of the building is a replica of the original and was a gift of Edna Boyer Shepherd. On the front porch you will see steps taken from Dr. Jewell's house in Columbia.
Extension 44 - East Franklin Street
On the north side of East Franklin Street, at 450 East Franklin, stands the Routt-Plumb house. It was built in the 1860s by Colonel Henry Routt, who led a Confederate raid on Liberty Landing in 1861, the first armed conflict of the Civil War in Missouri Colonel Routt was later pardoned by President Abraham Lincoln.
Across the street at 449 East Franklin is the Judge Sandusky house. Judge Sandusky was a prominent banker, lawyer, and jurist. Constructed about 1885, the house features graceful turned spindles as part of the archway woodwork. It has been carefully restored.
At 430 East Franklin is a registered Clay County historic landmark built in 1853, featuring a circular staircase. It served for a time as the dining hall and dormitory for the Female College next door. It is now a private home. It was restored by Lucille Davis, for many years a leading Liberty businessperson.
Extension 45 - Stone-Yancey House
The Stone-Yancey house at 421 N Lightburne was built in 1889 in the Queen Anne Victorian style, recognized by the gables, gingerbread, wrap-around porches, and ornate trim. Rockwell Stone and his wife Julie Withers Stone, prominent citizens of Liberty, built the home for their growing family. Rockwell was a mayor of Liberty at one time and owned a business on the south side of the town square.
The house is rather unusual in that it is a brick Queen Anne, and that the bricks are handmade, probably individually made and fired on the premises. Most handmade brick was discontinued in the area in the 1870's.
The home features ornate woodwork in the "public" areas, all of which is original, including pocket doors and original tile surrounding the fireplace mantels. The floors are yellow pine. Several stained glass windows and transoms provide wonderful color when the sun is shining.
The house passed to the Stone's daughter, Minnie, who married William Yancey. Minnie lived in the house all her life, until the late 1970's. At that time, the O'Dell's acquired the home. In 2004, the current owners purchased the home and began restoration in order to open the B & B.
The Stone-Yancey House is now a 3-room bed & breakfast by the same name hosted by owners Carolyn and Steve Hatcher who restored the building to its current beautiful condition.
The three guest rooms are named for the family members that originally built and owned the home, Withers for Julia Withers Stone, Stone for Rockwell Stone, and Yancey for Minnie Stone Yancey.
 
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