Capt. Thomas C. Harris House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Capt. Thomas C. Harris House
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The Harris House, also known as the Parrish Place
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 Location in Missouri
Location in the United States
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| Location | 101 E. Burton Street, Kirksville, Missouri |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1875 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001034 |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1973 |
The Captain Thomas C. Harris House (also known as the Parrish Place) is a historic two-story home in Kirksville, Missouri. It was built in 1875 in the Italianate style. This beautiful house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1973. It stands at 101 East Burton Street.
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History of the Harris House
The Captain Thomas C. Harris House has a long and interesting past. It was built by a Civil War hero. Over the years, it has been home to several important families. They each added to its story.
Who Was Captain Thomas C. Harris?
Captain Thomas C. Harris was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He came from New York. After the war, he moved to Kirksville. He worked in several woolen mills in the area.
In 1875, Captain Harris started building this large brick home. It was on the northern edge of Kirksville back then. It is not clear how long he lived there. He sold the house in 1879.
Early Owners and Changes
Another Civil War veteran bought the house in 1879. This was Doctor John Burton. He served in the Sixth Indiana Cavalry. After the war, he was President of the United States Pension Board. He started his medical practice in Kirksville in 1867.
The house got its other name, "The Parrish Place," in 1895. This was when Doctor A. Washington Parrish bought it. Doctor Parrish had a medical practice in Queen City, Missouri. He moved his practice to Kirksville after buying the home.
The Parrish Family Legacy
After Doctor Parrish passed away in 1928, his son inherited the house. This was Doctor Bert Parrish. He was also a doctor and surgeon in the community. Bert Parrish died in 1951. He left the house to his longtime housekeeper, Everrella Murdock. She had lived on the first floor since 1939.
A fire in 1958 caused some damage. It destroyed the summer kitchen, wood shed, and coal storage room. Luckily, the main house was saved. These lost areas were replaced. A new section was added, which included a family room.
Another big change happened in 1965. People worried the roof was weak. So, the special cupola on top was removed. But don't worry, the cupola was put back on a few years later!
Recent History and Restoration
When Everrella Murdock passed away, the house went to her daughter. This was Mary Childers Sloan. She lived there until moving to Nebraska in the 1980s. The house was mostly empty from the early 1980s until Sloan's death in 2003.
She gave the home and property to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This group helps protect important old buildings. The current owner, Daryl Shafer, bought the house from the Trust in 2007.
The house has gone through many renovations. The National Historic Trust and later Mr. Shafer worked hard. Now, the house looks much like it did when it was first built. It has modern heating, cooling, and plumbing.
One big change was the outside paint. It used to be cream with dark brown. Now, it's back to its original red brick. The garage and family room added after the fire were removed. A porch and new landscaping were put in their place.
Today, the house is a private home. It is also a popular place for events. Many weddings, open houses, and community gatherings happen there. In 2012, a gathering honored the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Kirksville.
