Architectural Description:
Located at 1114 South Noland Road, the 3,778 square foot dwelling, known as the Stone-Gamble house, lies on just over a half-acre lot. The original portion of the two-story dwelling is clad with textured stucco. The house has an open front porch, supported by two sets of paired, colossal, octagonal-shaped columns that support the pediment centered on the front facade. The columns sit atop a stepped brick foundation. The pediment projects over the front entry and second story balcony and is part of cross-gable, composite slate roof. The gables oriented to the north and south display decorative returns that differentiate them from the front façade’s triangular pediment. A brick chimney projects from the roof and lies offset to the south.
The front (east) entry comprises a decorative wooden door surrounded by a divided light transom and side lights. Decorative corbels support the second story balcony that also serves as part of the first floor door surround. The secondary door sits directly above the main first floor entry and is also surrounded by a similar divided light transom, sidelights, and door surround.
Original 4/4, double hung sash wood windows can be found symmetrically placed along the first and second story of the front façade, south, and north elevations. These windows are protected by aluminum storm windows. A two-story, shed roof addition and one-story sunroom with clapboard siding can be found on the rear (west) elevation. The rear additions have contemporary vinyl slider and wood, 1/1 windows. The rear addition is clad with wood siding and lies on a concrete block foundation. A one-story, shed roof addition can also be found on the south elevation. This addition is clad with vinyl, clapboard-style siding. A screened porch sits on the southwest corner of the building.
While interior features are not factored into the local designation process, the house does retain many of the original nineteenth and early twentieth century architectural features. The single-story cottage and garage, located to the west and southwest of the main dwelling, along with the business signage, are not included as part of the proposed designation.
Historical Background/Significance
The two-story Greek Revival-inspired dwelling is located at 1114 South Noland Road, operating as the Silver Heart Inn. The original c.1856 frame dwelling was built by Rezin Benjamin Franklin Milton, likely assisted by enslaved peoples, on a plantation owned by Napoleon Bonaparte Stone (1818-1883), a local Independence businessman. The property was most notably surrounded by a large grove of walnut trees. The house was constructed as a residence for the Stone family.
The original home was most notable for its survival of Union General Thomas Ewing’s General Order Number 11 during the American Civil War. The 1863 declaration required all residents in Jackson, Cass, Bates, and parts of Vernon County to declare their support for the Union or flee under the threat of destruction of their property, or at least confiscation. Stone was thought to have signed a declaration of Union support, which spared his home.
In 1889, the house was purchased by Walter S. Dickey. Dickey was best known as the owner of the Dickey Clay Manufacturing Company and for his active political involvement in the Republican Party.
The extant house was later split in two by George W. Jennings in the early 1920s with the portion that remains today re-oriented to face Noland Road, rather than its previous orientation towards Main Street. This part of the house was originally the side entrance and rear wing of the original antebellum dwelling. The second half of the building, originally the front of the antebellum house, was also relocated and utilized as the Jennings home (1120 South Noland Road). This portion of the house was razed in the early 1960s.
Ownership of the house passed through the hands of several people throughout the 1930s and early 1940s until the property was purchased by Roy and Avenell Gamble in 1943. Roy Gamble was a local building contractor who used his expertise to add additional rooms to the rear of the house and introduce modern conveniences. Mr. Gamble added accessibility features to the property in the 1980s.
The property was converted to a bed and breakfast in 2012 and remains this use today.
Despite being relocated and re-oriented, both the association with the Stone, Dickey, and Gamble families as well as its connection with the original mid-19th century homestead make the property eligible for listing in the local register. Further, the 1940s alterations can be considered architecturally significant in their own right. The house currently lies in the midst of a well-intact neighborhood constructed predominantly in the early 20th century, making this house unique for its style as well as its age.
Based upon the property’s historical affiliation with the Stone, Dickey, and Gamble families, its architectural history, as well as its association with the City’s early development, there is significant documentation to support the designation as a Local Landmark on the Local Register of Historic Places. Therefore, staff recommends that the Planning Commission support the recommendation to the City Council for the designation of 1114 South Noland Road.
Planning Commission minutes:
"Case 23-850-01 - Historic/Landmark Designation – 1114 S. Noland Road
Staff Presentation
Stuart Borders presented the case. Mr. Borders presented the Commission with a vicinity map, noting the area and surrounding zoning. He presented the Commission with an aerial map indicating the project area and explained the surrounding land uses.
Applicant Comments
Charles and Amy Kistler, 1114 S. Noland Rd, provided a background on the property.
Public Comments
No public comments.
Motion
Commissioner H. Wiley made a motion to approve the Resolution from the Independence Heritage Commission is designating the overlay of Historic/Landmark Designation for 1114 S. Noland Road. Commissioner Preston seconded the motion. The motion passed with six affirmative votes."