Purchase Price $1,195,050 (part of a package offer of six properties)
Multi-family
Investors Dream! St. Joseph Homes with Wonderful History! Now Multi-Family Units that Still Hold the Charm and Incredible Detail Workmanship. See All of the History in the documents. 27 Rented Units in Total. Being SOLD as a Package. The Package includes: 517 N. 5th, 508 N. 5th, 503 N. 5th, 415 Robidoux, 511 Robidoux and 516 N. 5th (Vacant Lot).
Contact: Pam Bowman — Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
Call: (816) 436-3600
House History and Gallery
There are few names more famous in St. Joseph than that of John Lemon. Lemon was a Kentucky born banker who made a fortune in the booming economy of late 19th century St. Joseph. In 1871, he decided that he needed to build a home that would demonstrate to everyone in St. Joseph just how rich he was and how refined his taste was. He had his home built high on Robidoux Hill, overlooking the commercial center of the city below. The house is a striking Second Empire and originally had a slate covered mansard roof. The mansion boasts striking architectural details that made it stand out.
Lemon and his family lived in the home until well into the 20th century. The 1900 census shows it occupied by John, his wife Annie, their daughters Mary and Lettie, and their son Henry. Of course the family needed servants and at least two lived in the home: Bridget Corbet, the house maid and Thomas Swepstone the Hostler. Annie remained in the home with her son Henry following John’s death in 1905.
After Annie’s death in 1912, the children sold the house and it became apartments (as did so many of its neighboring mansions). In the 19teens, the Knights of Columbus and the Moose Lodge used the house as their headquarters. For more than a century this remarkable house has been home to a wide array of relatively tenants who counted themselves lucky to be able to live in such a striking building. This house represents a remarkable investment opportunity!
