The Pratt-Campbell Mansion, located on North Emporia in Wichita, Kansas, is a brick mansion built in the late 19th century by William Henry Sternberg. The mansion features ornate wood porches, multiple fireplaces, and corbelled chimneys, and has a roofline with a variety of angles and pitches. It is confirmed to have been designed and built by Sternberg, who was both an architect and a builder.
The mansion was built for George Pratt, a prominent lumber baron, who moved there in 1889 after living in another house on North Emporia. Pratt had worked for years as the manager of the Chicago Lumber Company, which was one of the largest lumber yards in Wichita. Later, M.C. Campbell purchased the house from Pratt, and the mansion became known as the Pratt-Campbell Mansion. Campbell was a developer of the Kansas livestock industry.
The mansion has 13-foot-high ceilings on the first floor and features hand-detailed woodwork throughout. It also had a gas lighting system that was outfitted with electric sparking igniters to give an instant on/off capability to the gas lighting. The mansion was the first in Wichita to have a laundry chute, which was a step-saving feature designed for the comfort and ease-of-use of its occupants.
The mansion’s tall chimneys have been taken down to the roofline, and the carriage house is no longer there. However, the mansion still stands tall and elegant compared to the surrounding homes in the neighborhood. It is a designated Local Landmark and has a rich history.
Sternberg was not only a contractor, but also an architect and designer. In the late 1860s and early 1870s, Sternberg and his firm, Sternberg, Hall & Co., promoted themselves as architects and builders who knew what was needed to design and create a first-class house. Sternberg consulted with homeowners and drafted designs himself, making his architecting and designing services a substantial part of his business.
Overall, the Pratt-Campbell Mansion is a stunning piece of history with a rich past and unique characteristics. As a Local Landmark, it will continue to be preserved and admired for years to come.
Posted by kendahlarama on 2010-05-02 17:39:20