Jeremiah Platt House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Jeremiah Platt House
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 Location in Kansas
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2005 Claflin Road, Manhattan, Kansas |
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| Area | .25 acres (0.10 ha) |
| Built | 1871 |
| Architectural style | vernacular |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000281 |
| Added to NRHP | May 20, 1981 |
The Jeremiah Platt House is a historic building in Manhattan, Kansas. It was built in 1871. This house was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1981. This means it is a special place recognized for its history.
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Who Was Jeremiah Platt?
Jeremiah Everts Platt (1833–1899) was born in Connecticut. He was an early professor at Kansas State Agricultural College. He started working there in 1864.
Platt's Role at the College
Professor Platt was the first head of the school's preparatory department. He also taught vocal music. Later, he taught mathematics and English. In 1872, he received an honorary Master's degree. This was given to him by the college's board of regents.
Why Platt Left the College
Platt strongly supported a movement called prohibition. This movement aimed to stop the sale and making of alcoholic drinks. Because of his strong views, the college leaders asked him to leave in 1889.
Platt's Work After the College
In 1888, Platt became a minister in the Congregational Church. After leaving the college in 1889, he traveled across Kansas. He helped start many Sunday schools. He and his wife continued this work in Oklahoma. He is known for starting 150 Sunday schools there.
The Story of the House
Jeremiah Platt bought ten acres of land in Manhattan in September 1867. The local newspaper, The Manhattan Nationalist, wrote about his new house on October 13, 1871. It said, "Prof. Platt's new house is just enclosed and will be finished by the end of the term." The newspaper also noted it was a two-story brick house. It had light limestone decorations and was built very well.
Who Lived in the House?
The house stayed Platt's property even when he lived in Oklahoma from 1893 to 1899. During this time, it was rented out. Platt passed away in 1899. The house then went to his wife, Jennie. She moved back to Manhattan and lived there until 1904. She sold the house to Anna Neider for $3,000.
The house changed owners five more times before 1925. In 1925, Roy T. and Alice Hulshizer bought it. The Hulshizers ran a tea room in the house for three years. They sold it in 1928 to Andrew Ekdahl. The Ekdahl family owned the house until 1965. Then, it was given to the Board of Riley County Commissioners. From 1965 to 1980, the house was used as a dispatch center for the county's ambulance service.
The House Today
In 1980, the Board of Riley County Commissioners gave the property to the Riley County Genealogical Society. This society has kept its main office and library there ever since. They made some small updates to the inside and outside of the building.
What Makes the House Special?
Most houses in Manhattan during that time were built with limestone and wood. What makes the Platt House unique is that it was built using brick.
Platt's brother-in-law, William Harrison Smith, was a builder. He also owned a brickyard in nearby Junction City. While there is no clear proof, it is very likely that Smith helped with building Platt's house.
