Purchase Price $235,000
5 bed · 3 bath · 3,200 sqft
Contact: Pam Bowman, Better Homes and Gardens, Kansas City Homes
Call: (816) 261-5561
All brick 2.5 story beauty with incredible local history. 2507 Francis still has two original murphy beds, pocket door in the dining room, a side wrap porch, a carriage house garage and all four floors are beautifully finished. The kitchen has granite counters with a stainless stove and great laundry area. There is an inviting large patio off the kitchen/porch.
House History and Gallery
In the first two decades of the 20th century, many of St. Joseph’s upwardly mobile families were looking for a new neighborhood in which to build their homes; they wanted to move a bit away from the city center where the older generation had made their homes. One of the most desirable locations was Francis Street, east of N. 22nd. Among those who built lovely inviting homes in the neighborhood was James Estill Cox Jr., an executive with the R.L. McDonald Manufacturing Co. In 1911, when he built his home at 2507 Francis, he had been working for the company for 24 years; starting at age 16 as an office boy. James and his wife Minnie, and their son Marion lived here until about 1915.
In 1915, the Coxes sold the home to William Albrecht, his wife Lena, son William B., and their daughter Ardus. William was president of Western Tablet Co. (later sold to the Mead Co.).The Albrechts entertained generously at their home. At Christmas, 1919 the neighborhood children used the house as a venue from which to present their playlet, “Santa Claus at Home.” A donation was taken up after the performance and the proceeds given to charity. Tragedy struck the family on May 5, 1924, when their six-year-old son William died at the house of pneumonia complicated by asthma. In 1933, Ardus married William Conger Beasley at the Francis Street Methodist Church. Following the ceremony a reception was given at the family home. Following their wedding trip, the young couple then lived with her parents at 2507 Francis. The Albrechts appear to have had a fondness for housemaids of Norwegian background. In the 1920 census, Theresa Johnson, a 21-year-old Norwegian immigrant was living in the home. A decade later, that position was taken by Clara B. Jacobson, born in Kansas to Norwegian parents.
The background of William Albrecht is a bit of a mystery. It seems that William was a German immigrant – that is what the early census records and other official documents, including the death certificate for his son, indicate. But when he died on August 22, 1945, the obituary in the newspaper and his own death certificate give his place of birth as Quincy, Illinois. At the time of his death, World War II had not yet come to an end, and it is likely that as Germany became the great enemy, William decided to pull a discreet veil over his origins.
In 1940, the Albrechts moved to their newly completed grand home at 2818 Frederick Avenue (now the Albrecht-Kemper Art Museum). They sold their home on Francis to the Vice-President of Western Tablet, Leonard M. Haines. Haines came to St. Joseph in the 1920s as a teacher at Central High School. He was Vice-Principal at Central and also dean and basketball coach for St. Joseph Junior College. In 1931, he was secretary and business manager of the St. Joseph School District before going to work for Westab in 1935 as assistant to William Albrecht. Before the company was acquired by the Mead Corporation, Haines was chairman of the board of Westab and the manager of the local plant. The Haines family were active in the First English Lutheran Church, hosting many church-related activities at their home.
The Haines family remained in the home at 2507 Francis until the mid-1950s. Since that time, it has been the much-loved home of several families.
