Sedalia Missouri The Harris House

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Joseph E. Imhauser, a local businessman, built the three-story Harris House in 1896 located at the corner of 705 Sixth Street and S. Harrison Avenue. Architect, W. S. Epperson, designed the home and Jerome Moyer served as contractor. The building was designed in the Queen Anne architectural style. Edward Hurley served as the brick contractor and constructed red brick walls decorated with limestone with panels and friezes. J. C. Campbell, of Cincinnati and Kansas City, was the interior designer who furnished only the first level of the house. The home includes a two-story tower, a turret, and a dark green shale roof. In the front of the house, there are stone stairs that lead to a stone archway entrance. The house features 20 rooms, five bedrooms, six fireplaces, six stained-glass windows, a large oak staircase, a parlor, a library, and a reception hall. The third story includes a leisure room with a billiard table. The boiler and fuel rooms, laundry with a steam dryer, and wine cellars are located in the basement. A two-story brick carriage house, located at the back of the property, was later altered into a garage.

By 1898 Imhauser sold the house to Henry Wilson Harris, the president of the Third National Bank, and his wife Leona Boggs Harris. Mr. Harris was from Sherburn, Kentucky and his father, Dr. Nathaniel Wilson Harris, moved the family to Missouri in 1856. They previously lived in Boonville, Missouri, where Henry graduated in 1869 from the Kemper Academy, now the Kemper Military Academy. On October 19, 1875, Leona and Henry were married and by 1895, arrived in Sedalia. Leona Harris was born in Howard County and received her early education in Fairview, Missouri. She also attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. The Harris family hosted several social gatherings at their lavish residence. Leona hosted for the Missouri Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

Henry and Leona Harris had one son; Henry R. Harris, and two daughters; Nina and Maurine Harris. Mr. Harris died in 1923. Henry R. became president of the Third National Bank in the 1930s. In 1936, Leona passed away, leaving Nina and Maurine in the house. Both Nina and Maurine participated and hosted events for the DAR, Sorosis, and other societies in the community. Nina passed away in 1957 and Maurine in 1977. In 1977, Dr. Robert W. and Lorrie Vit owned the home and consentedto having the home placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The home remains a private residence.