Plumb Place: Why Is This House Being Hidden?

Across the street from my house is Plumb Place, one the finest houses in Emporia. It was built by Senator Preston and Carrie Plumb. After Preston died, Carrie significantly enlarged the mansion over a period of many years.

In 1920, after Carrie’s death, the Plumb children donated the mansion to the YWCA to be used to assist women and young girls. And, for the next century, the mansion continued as such under various iterations. During this past century the grand reception rooms of the mansion were available to the public to rent, to attend parties, art shows, and other festivities.

Then…in 2020, everything collapsed. The board was dissolved. And a judge was appointed to handle matters.

Based on the 1920 deed, the judge decreed that the mansion could be sold. I have a copy of said deed, and it does stipulate as such in Clause 1. So, for the first time in its 150-year history, the Plumb mansion was for sale.

However…drum roll, please…it appears that Clause 2 was ignored, which was explicit in HOW the mansion could be sold.

And then, was the mansion marketed?

No.

Was the mansion listed with MLS (multiple listing service) which is the standard for any property offered for sale?

No.

Was the mansion on Zillow or Redfin or any other real estate website?

No.

So, how would one even know the mansion was for sale?

One had to drive by the mansion and see a sign in front saying: “FOR SALE. Contact your local real estate agent.”

Does this seem bizarre beyond reason to you?

Nor was there even a sale price. Nope. Rather, bids were being accepted.

It’s my understanding that at least one bid came through before the deadline.

The bidder?

The son of the judge.

 

The bidder though had a condition: he needed the zoning to be changed from residential to commercial. This was so he could turn the huge former carriage house into rental storage units.

WTF? Rental storage units?

Does this seem a tragic fate for so fine and so historic a structure?

And the mansion itself? The bidder wanted to chop it up into apartments.

Does this, too, seem a tragic fate for so fine and so historic a structure?

 

This past Tuesday, the zoning change request was denied.

Victory!

Or, was it?

 

Yesterday, at last, the Plumb mansion was listed for sale on the MLS and with a $199K ask.

For a brief moment I was excited.

This feeling then turned to fury.

Why?

Because, on Zillow, for example, this is the listing description: “Older Historic home in Emporia, Kansas. Previously used as office space, dormitory and hosting special events.”

I kid you not. That’s it.

One of the most important, storied, and historic houses in the city and the realtor could only come up with a single sentence. And a decidedly non-flattering sentence at that.

And the images? One would normally expect that, for so large and architecturally rich a mansion, there would be 40 or more images, right?

Wrong.

There are seven images. Just seven. Seven.

Four show the exterior. None are flattering. None show any gorgeous detailing.

Then just three images show parts of the interior. Just three. Three. I kid you not. Only one is enticing (the kitchen):

 

.

 

Where is the lovely entry and stair?

Where is the gorgeous and elegant parlor?

Where is the drop-dead-gorgeous octagon library?

Where is the astonishing third-floor ballroom?

Where are images of the many many many exquisite details? Where are the custom made hand-carved mantels? Where are the original marble sinks? The delicious built-in cabinets in closets? The grand pocket doors? I can go on and on. But, you will have to use your imagination as NONE of this beauty is shown in the listing.

Oh, and at the recent zoning meeting? The realtor sat next to the bidder. And left with him.

 

The pattern seems obvious: every effort is being expended to assure that the sale of the fabulous Plumb mansion receives as little attention as possible.

The question, thus, is why?

WHY?

WHY?

WHY?

Something appears VERY wrong in Emporia, Kansas.

 

NOTE: In a previous post, I detailed a possible future for the Plumb mansion, one that would allow minimal disruption to the historic fabric of the structure and, importantly, allow continued public access and availability. The Plumb family intended the mansion to benefit the public, not a single person.

 

 

 

 

37 Comments

  1. E.J. on April 23, 2022 at 12:16 pm

    Wouldn’t this be considered a “conflict of interest”? The judge’s son being the ONLY bidder?

    • Ross on April 23, 2022 at 12:36 pm

      The judge did recuse himself.

      After…

  2. LS on April 23, 2022 at 1:13 pm

    I sent a dm to cheap old houses. Maybe if others can the same? Share on socials? Get it some attention and possibly more photos added by someone who can tour it locally?

    • mlaiuppa on April 23, 2022 at 3:14 pm

      That is an excellent idea. If there is anyone near by to take a tour and take photos or video, then post and link back to the listings on Zillow, Trulia and Realtor.com will hopefully drum up more interest. I agree there aren’t enough photos on the listing.

      I had my friend in Ellendale tour a mansion in Owatonna that I was thinking of buying and making into a B&B. We were both going to live there and run it together. In the end it was torn down. I was almost going to put in an offer but in conversation with the family member representing the trust, it came out that not only were all of the floors damaged from burst radiators due to lack of heat, but the major beam over the porch had collapsed. There was no telling how much hidden damage there was to the house. It had been lawyer’s offices so no kitchen which was actually a plus as the 14×14 room was a blank slate. When the lawyers moved out the family didn’t maintain it and that lack of maintenance killed the house. I was very close to buying it and moving in and making it a B&B as it had another lot that would have provided parking and an outdoor space for events. It was basically perfect until all of the damage came out.

      Plumb Place, on the other hand, looks to be pretty well maintained even if it does need updating and more bathrooms. No floor plan but I’m guessing some of those 21 bedrooms can be sacrificed to provide bathrooms. If you split one bedroom into two bathrooms, you’d still have 14 bedrooms with attached bathrooms. That’s plenty for a B&B. I’ll bet the Carriage House and other buildings could be converted to 1 and 2 bedroom low income housing or shelter housing updated with not only a bath but small kitchen space.

    • Danielle on April 24, 2022 at 8:13 am

      Yes 100% – Cheap Old Houses and Circa was my first thought!

  3. Kate on April 23, 2022 at 1:26 pm

    Jawdrooping. Don’t mean to get political or divisive but sure sounds like today’s typical GOP strategies at the good ole boy small-town level. I’ve witnessed similar happenings in small communities I’ve lived in. In fact, a dishonest mayor who participated in backroom deals in one community I lived in is now the extreme right president of the AZ Senate who is responsible for the comical “fraudit” ballot recount in Maricopa County, AZ. These little conflict of interest back scratches lead to bigger ones!

    • Randy on May 9, 2022 at 8:34 pm

      Stellar job at ” not getting political “…

      • Kate on May 10, 2022 at 9:46 am

        You’re quoting yourself, apparently.

        • Randy on May 10, 2022 at 9:56 am

          Typical far left libtard.

          • Kate on May 10, 2022 at 10:33 am

            Happily so.



  4. mlaiuppa on April 23, 2022 at 3:02 pm

    At $200,000 it would only take $40,000 down.

    I could do that with my CalSTRS Voya and Roth IRA easily. Or I can refinance my house, but I so hate to do that.

    Now, I have great credit and could probably get a home loan. But what am I going to do with a mansion in Kansas? I can’t relocate there, at least not while my parents are still alive. I would have two mortgages and two property taxes. My only option would be to rent out my house here (about $4,000 a month that would cover the mortgage, etc) and then move to Emporia as my primary residence. Unless there are a lot of grants for fixing that place I see a looming money pit. The few interior shots there are very enticing. All of the original light fixtures! No bastardization or gutting of the original woodwork, fireplace, etc. No one has cut it up for salvage and there appears to be no vandalism. I would so live there except it is half the country away and my parents need me close by. I also have the dogs and would need a secure yard for them.

    Now if the zoning allows, could this be used as a bed and breakfast? With maybe some added low income apartments specifically for women? Perhaps multiuse as both a B&B and a battered women’s shelter? I’ve looked at the lot and wonder if there are areas where a dog run could be set up as well as a safe Catio area. Women often stay with their abusers because they are afraid to leave their pets and shelters will take them and children but not always pets. So a shelter that would allow pets would be of great use, not only to Emporia but surrounding areas. However, six bathrooms for 21 bedrooms is not enough. That means remodeling and that isn’t cheap. I’m wondering if there are buildings it would be easier to convert to permanent shelter housing while leaving the main structure intact for a B&B (that would basically help to fund the place.)

    I so don’t want to see Eli Fowler get his hands on this property. I wouldn’t trust his promises farther than I can spit. Plus the whole conflict of interest corruption thing and suppression of information regarding the sale of the property just stinks and rubs me totally the wrong way.

    Who are Jarrod and Claire Hibler and what do they want to do with Plumb Place? The article said they put in an offer on the property.

    But you know what is going to happen. No matter what anyone else bids, that judge’s son is going to snap up that property for just over what anyone else bids. So no matter how high you go, you’ll never get it. This was fixed from the start.

    That was a nice write up in the Emporia Gazette for March 18. Ross, you were very eloquent and exposed the questionable business of the judge, his son and those parties involved very well.

    I just hope if they vote for judges in the area, that that judge is defeated in the next election. He has no business being a judge if he is that corrupt.

    Now, care to tell us what is happening with the old Carnagie Library on East Sixth Ave between Mechanic and Market streets?

  5. Travis on April 23, 2022 at 3:26 pm

    Ross, Contact a realtor and view the house and take lots of pictures. Share pictures in all the usual places. Corruption is all over the place. Regardless of what was stated in 1920, if the house wasn’t funded properly, it has to be sold. It should be given every chance to be a single family residence or an event space.

  6. Dan Goodall-Williams on April 23, 2022 at 3:27 pm

    Ross, is there anyone at a newspaper that would do a story on this and expose these people? That’s what I would do. This just makes me so angry.

  7. Laurie L Weber on April 23, 2022 at 6:07 pm

    This makes me so sad and angry. They’re gonna have a lot of explaining to do when they leave this life. I’m sure it is very upsetting for you, especially being right there! Hugs… 🙂

  8. Karen Spencer on April 24, 2022 at 4:08 pm

    Ross,
    What about Kelley at Old House Dreams? Can she post it?

    Or Circa? https://circaoldhouses.com?

    I looked in both places and didn’t see Plumb Place listed.

    What we, your old house-loving community do to help?

    • Ross on April 24, 2022 at 4:30 pm

      Hi, Karen!

      OHD and CIRCA like to use luscious images.

      The images of PP are not luscious.

      I’m creating a post about PP with such images. Then, Kelly may post it. We’ve discussed about this.

  9. Cindy Belanger on April 24, 2022 at 6:30 pm

    The news about Plumb Place is very upsetting and a crooked deal all around. As other suggested, it would be helpful to have the house listed on OHD and CIRCA old houses after more pictures are taken. Also a newspaper write-up. Hoping for the best outcome.

  10. Karen Spencer on April 24, 2022 at 8:14 pm

    Yay! Thank you Ross!

    Yes, some eye-candy pix will be a big help.

    I truly hope that Plumb Place will be saved.

    I’m sure this wonderful community you have created will pitch in to help, spreading the word.

  11. Scott on April 25, 2022 at 10:55 pm

    You mentioned two clauses in the 1920 deed. What does the second one say?

    • Ross on April 25, 2022 at 11:11 pm

      Hi, Scott!

      I can’t upload the 1920 deed here. But, if you contact me (via the CONTACT page) I can attach the deed to my response.

      • Scott on April 26, 2022 at 12:42 pm

        Thanks, Ross. I’ll send a PM. I’m just curious about why the deed would’ve needed to be litigated at all.

  12. Anne on April 26, 2022 at 7:23 am

    Is that judge appointed or elected? I hope the community can do something about him.

  13. Melanie Miller on April 26, 2022 at 1:55 pm

    This is a travesty! Is there a State governing body that oversees Real Estate licensing? I am in Florida and we have a very hands-on division. There may be illegal means by which the house was listed, marketed, etc. The FL Real Estate Commission wields a lot of power, so if there is something comparable in Kansas I would suggest that someone make a report of suspicious and possible illegal activity on the part of the Realtor/ Broker. I also think that the County Zoning and Planning Commissions should both be approached with the aforementioned concerns. Social media is an amazingly effective tool. Anyone with decent tech skills can start the ball rolling there. Lastly, every major news channel loves a good controversial story. Who doesn’t have some interest in saving such a beautiful piece of history? Most have specific reporters assigned to cover consumer issues in local areas. Just a few phone calls to the stations, maybe the local newspaper, again – online resources – AWARENESS! Spread the word. Best of luck. One last idea – there are a few legal sites where attorneys offer their advice for free. They are not bound to it, but one may even take personal interest or be able to direct you towards an attorney that specializes in real estate preservation, etc. Redditt is also a a great place to ask business/ legal questions and generally gain some very accurate and ethical responses.

  14. Cynthia Dee Wilson on April 26, 2022 at 10:22 pm

    As my English friends would say “This doesn’t pass the smell test.” I hope a legal means can be found to stop this.

  15. Johnathan Tweedy on April 27, 2022 at 12:38 am

    Not sure how possible it is, but we are trying to move out of Florida and relocate somewhere to a home large enough for us (19 kids between us, but some are older and have moved on). This home would give us the space we need and allow us to continue the mission the family wanted.

    • Ross on April 27, 2022 at 12:46 am

      Johnathan! Nice to meet you. If you are seriously interested, please contact this real estate agent: Lacie Hamlin 620 481 0213. Let her know that Ross gave you her number. She’s great to work with. Act quickly! Ross

      • Johnathan T Tweedy on April 27, 2022 at 12:55 am

        We stumbled on the listing today and were excited. Now that I’ve done some research to learn the history of the property, we are even more interested. Our home in Central Florida is paid off as of November last year, and we are desperately looking to get out of here.

      • Johnathan T Tweedy on April 27, 2022 at 1:05 am

        My wife comes from a bad relationship, and I’ve had more than one. Through our years together we have helped a few people get back on their feet.

    • mlaiuppa on April 27, 2022 at 3:57 pm

      Please contact Lacie asap if you are serious. It is a really great property with a lot of the original fixtures and does not look to be in such bad shape. You could probably pick it up for $200,000 if you could make an offer by Friday. The other seller would have 48 hour to beat it or walk away. I suspect he would walk away. If you can afford it, you could add Joshua’s “escalator clause” at $500 and decide on a cap just between you and Lacie.

      All Lacie needs is a paper saying you are good for the funding and you can make an offer. If your home is paid off you can do it by selling your home or by refinancing your current home and paying cash outright for Plumb Place. Then you could either sell your Florida home or rent it out to cover the mortgage.

      It is a very large parcel consisting of 4-5 lots. Check out the Emporia website too. Lots or parks and things to do. Really, a lovely moderately sized town.

  16. Jonnie Madsen on April 28, 2022 at 10:22 am

    Something is definitely fishy about this listing. I haven’t been able to get the agent to return my calls. Why would it be under contract so quickly when other people are willing to offer more? I think they just listed it to satisfy the requirements, but had no intention of entertaining all offers.

    • Ross on April 28, 2022 at 1:49 pm

      Jonnie, this makes my blood boil. Please call the receiver: Kevin Flott. The number of his bank is: 620 475 3213.

      He’s the sole person who might make things right.

  17. Kate on April 28, 2022 at 2:22 pm

    PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE someone keep us updated on the status of this sale – the house MUST be saved!!!!!!!!
    I say ALL OLD HOUSE LOVERS UNITE and email/call the Kansas senator/representative/congressmen and congresswomen/mayor/city, regional, and state judge/attorney general/city council members – ANY public and ELECTED official that represent the citizens should hear about this!!! Why not the local and national newspapers? Magazines? Historical societies? Museums? Preservation societies?
    Some people said to post on oldcheaphouses.com, circa, and oldhousedreams.com – have they done so? (yes to OHD but idk about the others)
    Obviously the Plumb house is historically significant and its future should be preserved. The corrupted (if not downright illegal) actions of our elected officials need to be publicized and subsequently scrutinized for wrongdoing – seriously, we have to do SOMETHING!!!

  18. Pappy the Plasteror on May 3, 2022 at 6:31 pm

    Dear Ross, I met you this morning for the five minute plastering lesson. I have enough hubris left over from other deals that I would consider making an offer, we are now in the Oklahoma pan handle headed for Polvadera NM. You could call me at 435-621-8961 to walk me through some details of the Plumb house and I gave more thought to your heat sink situation

  19. Randy on May 10, 2022 at 10:18 am

    I turned this story in to the news desk at KSNT in Topeka as a newsworthy coverup, maybe it will get some exposure.

  20. Larry Leazer on August 29, 2022 at 7:00 pm

    It was bought by Chris Stanley. The daughter of Mr and Mrs Stanley of the Stanley Jewelry store. She’s good people just like her parents were. She bought it out from under that Judges son. Whew!

  21. Jody Wolf on February 5, 2023 at 11:44 am

    This is the home of the founder of Emporia-and his wife. A war hero of the civil war. A United States Senator, whom had he lived a few more years, possibly the President of the United States. I have enormous pride in these two amazing people and their enormous contributions to the city of Emporia and the country. I find it sad that even the schools in Emporia don’t teach the children of this city about Senator Preston B. Plumb and his wife? Carrie Southwick Plumb, and their lives.
    I am blessed to be their great, great granddaughter.

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