Phil's Page

Hey Phil

I only have access to email on weekdays, so am just getting back to you. I bought my home in 1999 and after striping paint off a front porch column and woodwork in the kitchen, I found stamped in ink, NTY Wm. H, Shugars, Gordon VanTine, plus the backs of the basment steps had blue #s handwritten on them. Shugars was the original owner on my deed, 1912.

While searching for information, I asked folks on another forum if they knew of this company. Lucky for me, the GVT expert saw my quest that day and asked for a picture of my home. He ID'd it from GVT's Book of Plans, 1912-1915/1916, House Plan #122. This company was a competitor of Sears. He sent me a copy of that book of plans and a black and white photo to hang in my foyer, I think I paid him $10. A plan house differs from a kit house whereby it"s the same house you would buy as a kit but the carpenter would cut the lumber from the plan house blueprints< thus saving money There are many companies that sold these kit and plan homes darn computer will not let me type comma and periods so I will send this now

I'm with you Phil. That roof should be slate, in a rich array of variegated colors...

I should have done re-wiring a little at a time. I wasted $4,000 last summer on a guy that did not do the things I requested and did a bunch of things that I did not need. I still have wiring that needs to be completed even though I paid for things I was told I had. Live and learn. Thank you, Phil for the input.

The roof on the tower is copper. The seams stand up about 1/2 inch and are crimped together. I am not sure what you call the seam design. The roof is original to the house. As for dating the house I have found that the couple that built it bought the lot in 1896, and the sewer line was connected to the city sewer system in March, 1903. I have discovered a newspaper article in our local library that showed pictures of the forest that was leveled and cleared for my street. The same article stated that the houses were built, the walls plastered, and the plaster left to cure for twelve months with no windows in the houses. When the plaster had "seasoned' the windows and woodwork were installed and the houses were finished. I have uncovered signatures in pencil under the old siding on the sheathing boards.

Thank you for the comment Phil. I am very new to this sort of "online community" so am slow. My home reads Vancouver Edwardian/craftsman builder (very humble) and I am searching through my photos to find one to add online. Your home is beautiful! It is unusual in its combination of styles - the gambrel roof, tower, Eastlake elements - this old house passion is exciting!

See you online,
Morgan

Thanks, Phil. Glad you liked the article. My favorite built-in in my own house is a bench in the upstairs hall which opens to reveal the laundry chute. And all my built-ins have fake pegged thru-tenons, which amuses me no end.

Since it's been cold here the last few days (in California that means 50 degrees- that's Spring in places with real weather!), I've been in the attic rolling out more insulation. It has to be that cold outside in order to go up there for any length of time, since there's absolutely no ventilation.

Hi Phil, Welcome to the Jewlery of the Antique homes goup,
Craig Phillips
B & C Emporium

I have video of the house with the tower that I will be putting online probably next week. Stay tuned. I will be launching a new site with it.

My building is in "downtown" Lindsborg. I've driven through Newton. Good looking town with nice hospital.

Phil - your house is gorgeous! I love the exterior color scheme - and kudos for doing the slate roof. We have a slate roof in the building where I work, and it unloads snow like crazy - no ice dams! Thanks for your kind comments about our kitchen.