The Roanoke neighborhood, developed from around 1900 to 1920, has always made a solid effort to keep its single-family homes. While other neighborhoods in Midtown often saw their homes divided as rooming houses and later into multiple apartments, Roanoke’s residents were vigilant in preventing that from happening within their boundaries.
As part of our Uncovering History Project, the Midtown KC Post is examining each block in Midtown. A set of 1940 tax assessment photos is available for many blocks.
1909-1950 Sanborn Fire Insurance map shows the block with its large homes angled along Valentine Road and another row of stately residences along Belleview. Some of Kansas City’s most prominent residents lived in Roanoke during this period.
This block looks much the same today as when the photos were taken in 1940. Well-designed homes stood on large lots and drew prominent Kansas City families to the neighborhood. The block probably looked much the same in 1954, when residents met at the home of Erle Longmoor, 1015 Valentine, to form the Roanoke Homes Protective Association.
Roanoke Homes got organized when many of Midtown’s large single-family homes were being divided or razed to make room for apartment buildings. An April 21, 1954, Kansas City Star article shows how Roanoke residents, including some prominent Kansas Citians, banded together to protect their neighborhood long before other Midtown neighborhood associations were formed.
Fight An Area Change: Residential Status of Roanoke District is Defended
Homes Association meets to protect property owners from violations of zoning and restrictive agreements
Preservation of the Roanoke district as a residential neighborhood was the objective outlined at a meeting last night of an incorporated group of homeowners.
The Roanoke Protective Homes Association met at the home of J. Erle Longmoor, 1015 Valentine. This first full meeting was attended by ninety-two persons. Longmoor, an investment broker, was elected president
In explaining the organization, Frank L. Wilkinson, a state senator, said the purpose is to protect property owners from violations of zoning and restriction agreements.
For 1-family use
Wilkinson pointed out that an agreement of the property owners restricts structures to designs for single-family occupancy.
“There are at least five violations at the present,” Wilkinson said.
Wilkinson, 3601 Belleview avenue, is chairman of the executive committee. He said the association was chartered March 29.
The Roanoke district, consisting of ninety-seven homes and one lot, includes property from 3600 on Madison and Belleview avenues to the north side of Thirty-eighth street and from the east side of Madison to the west side of Valentine. There are five homes on the east side of the Southwest trafficway.
Those persons attending were offered certified copies of the Roanoke original restrictions, a 1922 agreement. The restrictions were extended in 1945 to May, 1971.
Mrs Elsa A. Ripley, secretary, who lives at 3653 Belleview, proposed that restrictions and zoning regulations be studied with the intention of bringing violations to the attention of property owners.
“We are all neighbors,” Mrs. Ripley said. “When restrictions are violated, we do not like to see our neighbors in trouble. I think a good neighbor policy will help a lot.”
Zoned for duplexes
Barnum said the district has been zoned for duplex units even though it violates the restrictive agreement. He also said there is nothing to prevent owners from having as many as four roomers. He contended there is a difference between roomers and boarders.
Mrs. C.D. Stark, who lives at 3674 Belleview, arose near the end of the meeting.
“From what you say, I am a violator,” Mrs. Stark said. “I went to the city and was told I could have a duplex.”
Judge Albert L. Reeves, retired federal district judge, moved that all present be made directors. This passed with the stipulation that those who desired could reject a directorship. Judge Reeves lives at 3654 Belleview.
Other officers at the meeting
- Gerald H. Oppenheimer, 3600 Belleview
- Richard M. Schaeffer, 1010 West Thirty-seventh Street
- James J. Rick, 3724 Belleview
- Will Longmoor, 1021 Valentine
- Frank L. Wilkinson III, 3601 Belleview
- Edward Ellison, 3709 Belleview, president emeritus
The photos below show the rest of the homes on the block as they looked in 1940.
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