Like the rest of the J.C. Nichols-developed subdivision, this block of the Crestwood neighborhood (E. 54th to E. 55th from Cherry to Holmes) attracted middle- and upper-middle-class residents after development began in 1919. According to the National Register of Historic Places nomination, the homes reflect various historically based revival styles popular in America after World War I. Those “modern” homes attracted, in turn, families headed by executives, investors, doctors, and building contractors.
As part of our Uncovering History Project, the Midtown KC Post is taking a look at each block in Midtown, including a set of 1940 tax assessment photos which is available for many blocks. (Many people seem confused by the tax assessment photos, which all include a man holding a sign. Here’s the story behind them). This week, the block from E. 54th to E. 55th from Cherry to Holmes.
By 1930, when the census was taken, nineteen families had moved in on the block. They included:
5414 Holmes: Leo G. Wetherill, 38, real estate investor; wife Fleda, 39; daughter Phyllis, 12; son Gaylord, 11; son Leo G. Jr., 9.
5418 Holmes: Ramon Schumacker, 43, building contractor; wife Ina, 33; son Ramon Jr., 9; son William L., 6; daughter Mary, 4; son David, 3; Mary E. Perry, 28, boarder, railroad voucher clerk.
5424 Holmes: Ray Mering, 40, vice president of oil company; wife Clara, 39; daughter Clara, 10; daughter Virginia, 9; daughter Jean, 8; son Ray, 7; daughter Marjorie, 1; servant Catherine Hake, 42.
5426 Holmes: Louis Schumacker, 42, electrical contractor; wife Alice, 40; son John, 8; mother Wilhimine, 76.
5430 Holmes: Edgar Godbold, 50, church secretary; wife Margaret, 44.
5434 Holmes: Edward Hauber. 41, barrel manufacturer; wife Christanne, 39; son Edward, 14; daughter Eleanor, 11; daughter Mary, 10; son Vincent, 8; daughter Christanne, 6.
5445 Cherry: Roy Stevens, 37, medical doctor; wife Mary, 34; daughter Norma, 4; Gertrude Craven, sister-in-law, 37, beauty parlor operator.
5433 Cherry: Bernard Nelson, 46, electrical contractor; wife Sara, 41; daughter Bernice, 16.
5431 Cherry: Francis Poindexter, 36, securities investor; wife Ella, 30; son John, 8; daughter Nancy, 7; Florence Lay, 34, servant.
5429 Cherry: William E. Glenn, 68, treasurer of a trust company; wife Edith, 66; Flo. Alcorn, 25, servant.
5421 Cherry: Donnie H. Church, 54; wife Josephine, 53; daughter Virginia, 24.
5415 Cherry: David Martin, 60, vice president of bond company; wife Lola, 55; daughter Betty, 18.
5407 Cherry: Ben Weldon, 47, automobile broker; wife Nell, 45; daughter Virginia, 15.
5401 Cherry: Edward J. Kennaley, 40, commercial salesman; wife Eleanor, 35; son John, 16; daughter Eleanor, 8; servant Anna Smetang.
609 E. 54th: Fred Richardson, 67, cold storage general agent; wife Minnie, 62; son Lyman, 23; son Orville, 20; son Fredrick, 19.
611 E. 54th: Andrew Lundteigen, 67, packing plant machinist; wife Rose, 61.
621 E. 54th: John B. Winters, 70, wife Ella, 69.
The photos below show all the homes on the block as they looked in 1940.
Historic photos courtesy Kansas City Public Library/Missouri Valley Special Collections.
This was a nice feature on what was always called, “lower Crestwood” for homes north of 55th street because the ground was literally lower than “upper Crestwood” which were the homes south of 55th going to 56th and along Crestwood Drive, Cherry and the west side of Holmes. You should feature the homes in upper Crestwood also. I had a Dutch Colonial in upper Crestwood for 20 years and had some great neighbors including Kansas City’s historic preservationist, Jane Flynn, her husband Bob Flynn, and their daughter. In recent years, some people don’t like the historical names of upper and lower Crestwood even though the homes in lower Crestwood are typically bigger and more expensive. So now they refer to it as Crestwood North and Crestwood South.
Great post! I lived in two homes in Crestwood, 409 E 54th and 5335 Cherry. One of the greatest neighborhoods in KC!
We live at 544( Cherry Street and would love to replicate the shutters Kraft were in this picture. Is this book still available? Is there a KC library that would have it?
My grandparents lived at 401 E 54th from abt 1943 til 1947. We lived at 444 E 55th St which was just across “the park” which served as a giant backyard for all the homes on 54th and 55th between Cherry and Oak. We were told that common land had been a cutoff to the old Santa Fe trail. The plat map is a bit confusing for me unless there were two neighborhoods with common land behind them.
Haven’t been in KC since 1956. Heath Boyer