Our Past Is Present May 31, 2018

May 31, 2018

            This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            Today’s story is about the house that Captain Hill built.  This is the Queen Ann-style Victorian house that still stands at 240 West 3^rd Street in Junction City. The house was built by Captain David Hill in 1893, when he was in his 60’s.  David Hill was a Civil War veteran and the grandfather of the late Dorothy Bramlage.

            The entire house was heated by hot air and lighted by electric lights.  Hot and cold running water was available in the bathroom and kitchen.  There were ten large rooms with four large bedrooms on the second floor and three rooms in the attic.  One of those rooms in the attic was intended as a billiard room.

            With failing health, crippling arthritis, advancing age and financial reversal, the Hills sought a more modest lodging in 1905 and sold the house to George T. Brown and his family.  Later the F.W. Muenzenmayers occupied the house.

            In 1924, the house was converted to apartments and at one time five families shared the residence.   Lou G. Flower owned the house and rented rooms to boarders in the 1960’s.  Also during the 1960’s the Sisters of St. Joseph resided there while waiting for the convent to be built.

            Colonel Eugene Seaburn and his wife Dorothy, who is now known locally as the late Dottie Seitz purchased the house in the 1970’s. After Colonel Seaburn died, Carl and Ingrid Bierbaum acquired the house in 1979 until they moved from the area in 1983.  The then 90 year old showpiece was purchased by Donna and Charles Lundeen.   The billiard room designed by Captain Hill, was never completed because the staircase was too steep.

 However, it is worth taking a drive by the house at 240 West Third Street to see this beautiful Queen Anne-style Victorian House from the outside and see why we say “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.