215 S 5th Street
Independence, KS 67301

A Greek revival mansion built exclusively for Harry Ford Sinclair, founder of the Sinclair Oil Company. This residence with 12 rooms was built in 1906, at a cost of $25,000. It is defined by its huge front porch pillars plus its distinctive red tile roof and gold masonry. It has seven bedrooms of which two reside in the attic as guest bedrooms. The fifth bedroom on the second floor can serve as a nursery. The home features an impressive entryway with a grand staircase leading to the second floor. The staircase also has shorter than usual risers to accommodate Mr. Sinclair’s limp from a hunting accident. Pay special attention to the first floor and its beautiful Birdseye Maple Woodwork with hand-carved features on the pillars and staircase. Other rooms on the first floor include a large living room, a dining room, a library/study and a kitchen with an attached laundry room. Two gorgeous fireplaces are located on the first floor (one in the living room and one in the Library/Study that also features pocket doors and a beamed ceiling). The Library/Study also has a half-bath and walks out to the large porch on the West side of the house. The second floor consists of four to five bedrooms with the Master bedroom at the front of the house that includes a full private bathroom. This bedroom also opens to a large balcony that extends the full length of the front porch and side porch on the South side. Another full bathroom is located on the second floor to serve the other bedrooms. The walkup attic is unfinished in the main part and has a nonfunctional bath that could be brought back to life. There is also a rainwater catcher that could be functional again. The basement houses a very cool poker/recreation room with beamed ceilings, tiled floor, fireplace and half bath as well. Beautiful landscaping with trees and flowers and its location on a quiet street near churches, the public library and downtown businesses make it the ideal place to call home!