Apr 03, 1970
National Register of Historic Places -Alexander Majors House
Statement of Significance: The Alexander Majors House is primarily significant as a historic site. The house and grounds served as one of the outfitting bases for the Russell, Majors and Waddell freighting firm, as well as the home of Alexander Majors, the field coordinator for the company. The house has additional significance as a notable example of Classic Revival residential architecture built in light wood frame construction. It is Kansas City's third oldest house, and the oldest structure of any kind in the area in light wood frame construction. (Kenneth E. Coombs, A.I.A., Architectural Consultant Field Report, received October 1969.) In 1854, William H. Russell and William B. Waddell, both merchants from Lexington, Missouri, joined with Majors in an attempt to gain yearly contracts let by the United States government to supply newly constructed forts and army posts in Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. Majors, an experienced dealer in the Santa Fe Trade, undoubtedly provided the freighting equipment, while Waddell and Russell contributed most of the financial backing. (Raymond W. and Mary Lund Settle, War Drums and Wagon Wheels, The Story of Russell, Majors and Waddell, 1966, p. 42.) In 1855 the firm signed the first of a series of government contracts which gave them a virtual monopoly of the army freighting business in the west and southwest. (Settle, 1966, pp. 31-42.) In addition to the Kansas City base of operations, the firm established similar head- quarters in Leavenworth, Kansas and later Nebraska City, Nebraska. The company's business transactions, which averaged more than 2 million dollars a year, greatly stimulated the banking interests of Kansas City, St. Joseph, Lexington and other Missouri towns. (Paul Haskins, "Seek to Preserve Home of Giant of Area History," Kansas City Star, July 19, 1968, section C, p. 2.) Alexander Majors built the presently standing house in 1856. (Kenneth E. Coombs, A.I.A. Architectural Consultant Field Report, received October 1969.) It served as his residence until 1858 when he and his family moved to Nebraska City, Nebraska, which in that year was selected as the starting point for the wagon trains bound for army posts.
National Register of Historic Places -Alexander Majors House
Statement of Significance: The Alexander Majors House is primarily significant as a historic site. The house and grounds served as one of the outfitting bases for the Russell, Majors and Waddell freighting firm, as well as the home of Alexander Majors, the field coordinator for the company. The house has additional significance as a notable example of Classic Revival residential architecture built in light wood frame construction. It is Kansas City's third oldest house, and the oldest structure of any kind in the area in light wood frame construction. (Kenneth E. Coombs, A.I.A., Architectural Consultant Field Report, received October 1969.) In 1854, William H. Russell and William B. Waddell, both merchants from Lexington, Missouri, joined with Majors in an attempt to gain yearly contracts let by the United States government to supply newly constructed forts and army posts in Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. Majors, an experienced dealer in the Santa Fe Trade, undoubtedly provided the freighting equipment, while Waddell and Russell contributed most of the financial backing. (Raymond W. and Mary Lund Settle, War Drums and Wagon Wheels, The Story of Russell, Majors and Waddell, 1966, p. 42.) In 1855 the firm signed the first of a series of government contracts which gave them a virtual monopoly of the army freighting business in the west and southwest. (Settle, 1966, pp. 31-42.) In addition to the Kansas City base of operations, the firm established similar head- quarters in Leavenworth, Kansas and later Nebraska City, Nebraska. The company's business transactions, which averaged more than 2 million dollars a year, greatly stimulated the banking interests of Kansas City, St. Joseph, Lexington and other Missouri towns. (Paul Haskins, "Seek to Preserve Home of Giant of Area History," Kansas City Star, July 19, 1968, section C, p. 2.) Alexander Majors built the presently standing house in 1856. (Kenneth E. Coombs, A.I.A. Architectural Consultant Field Report, received October 1969.) It served as his residence until 1858 when he and his family moved to Nebraska City, Nebraska, which in that year was selected as the starting point for the wagon trains bound for army posts.
Apr 03, 1970
Posted Date
Aug 21, 2023
Historical Record Date
Apr 03, 1970
Source Name
National Register of Historic Places
Source Website
Posted Date
Sep 28, 2021
Source Name
Library of Congress
