The Story of UMKC's Epperson House

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The Epperson House, located at 5200 Cherry Street in Kansas City, Missouri, was commissioned by Uriah Spray Epperson and his wife Mary Elizabeth Weaver Epperson.

Uriah Epperson, born in 1861 in Indianapolis, moved to Kansas City at age six and became a prominent businessman, starting in the meat-packing industry before establishing the U.S. Epperson Underwriting Company and Epperson Land Investment Company.

The Eppersons hired French architect Horace LaPierre to design their mansion. According to local legend, LaPierre showed the couple plans for 1,500 different houses before they settled on the final Tudor-Gothic design. Construction began in 1919 and was completed in 1923 at a cost of $500,000 (equivalent to approximately $13 million in contemporary value).

Original Features & Paranormal Activity

The four-story mansion, encompassing approximately 24,000 square feet, contained 54 rooms and numerous notable features:

• A grand hall with a performance stage
• A custom-built organ loft
• A Grecian-tiled swimming pool
• A billiards room
• Six bathrooms
• Elevators
• A barbershop
• A tunnel connecting the east and west wings
• The "Elephant Room" for Mrs. Epperson's collection
• Ornate interior features including hand-carved walnut and oak paneling, decorative ceilings, and leaded glass windows

The mansion's reputation for paranormal activity began during World War II when Navy cadets reported seeing a woman in a white gown walking the hallways. The most frequently reported phenomena include:

• The sound of organ music emanating from the basement
• Footsteps in empty rooms and hallways
• Unexplained lights in the tower, despite it being sealed off for decades

A notable incident occurred in May 1979 when a patrol officer reported that his parked vehicle was struck by an invisible force, leaving skid marks indicating the car had moved eight inches. In 1978, campus police officers documented seeing an arm in a blue suit materialize and turn off a light during a routine patrol at 2 a.m.

Transition to University Ownership

Uriah Epperson died in 1927, just four years after the house's completion. His wife Mary continued living in the home until her death in 1939, with over 600 people attending her funeral held in the house. In 1942, Lynn donated the house to what would become the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Under university ownership, the Epperson House served multiple purposes: World War II housing for Navy air cadets, men's dormitory, classroom space, office space, and practice space for the UMKC Conservatory in the 1970s.

Preservation Challenges & Future Plans

The building has been vacant since 2010, with renovation costs estimated between $12-15 million. The university spends approximately $60,000 annually on basic maintenance.

As of January 2025, UMKC has secured an agreement with Sunflower Development Group and hospitality veteran Jen Gulvik to convert the historic mansion into a 14-room boutique hotel. The planned development includes a café, restaurant, library bar, event space, and a hydrothermal spa. The developers intend to pursue state and federal historic tax credits to help finance the restoration project.

Read more: UMKC / KCUR / KC Public Library​

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In case you missed it... ​Last week's edition was all about an iconic part of the downtown KC skyline, the Western Auto building. This brand new poster from KC Yesterday memorializes the historic landmark. Western Auto Watercolor Poster

This Week in the KC Yesterday Scavenger Hunt

The Paseo YMCA

In 1920, this building hosted the meeting that established the Negro National League, the first successful and lasting organization for Black professional baseball during segregation.

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The Raphael Hotel

Built in 1928 at a cost of $600,000, the Raphael has hosted numerous luminaries, including Walter Cronkite, Barbara Walters, Marvin Gaye, and Steve Martin.

This Week's Featured Home

2115 W 61st Ter Mission Hills, KS 66208​
Built in 1925 · $1,595,000
Listing/Photos Courtesy - Stephanie Brown, ReeceNichols KBT

This Mission Hills home combines traditional design with modern updates. The renovated kitchen and butler’s pantry feature high-end appliances and stylish finishes. Multiple living areas provide space for entertaining or quiet evenings by the fireplace.

Outdoor spaces include a covered patio and a private, tree-lined setting for relaxation or gatherings. Located in a prime area, this home offers both comfort and convenience.

Thanks for reading, Reader! What do you think about the plans to redevelop Epperson Hall into a boutique hotel? Would you stay there?

Reply and let me know!
-Joe

ps: happy 58th anniversary to Len Dawson's iconic photo from Super Bowl I.

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