111-1660-00012
Cross, H. C. & Susan, House
526 UNION ST
Emporia

LOCATION:
County:Lyon
Address: 526 UNION ST
Address Remarks:Union & E. 6th
City:Emporia
Zip:66801
Parcel ID:195-15-0-10-04-002.00-0
Legal Description: Section 15 Township 19S Range 11
Legal Description Remarks:LT 86 & N44 LT 84 UNION ST
Latitude, Longitude 1:38.40472 -96.17597
Latitude, Longitude 2:
Latitude, Longitude 3:
Latitude, Longitude 4:
Datum:WGS84
DESCRIPTION:
Historic Name:Cross, H. C. & Susan, House
Alternate Name:Cross, Charles, House
Historic Function:Domestic
Subcategory:Single Dwelling
Historic Function Remarks:Built in 1894 for one of Emporia's most influential citizens, Colonel Harrison Cory (H. C.) Cross, who died a few months after the house was finished. Son Charles Cross lived in the house until his death in 1898. The house remained in his family with until 1902 when Mrs. Susan Cross, H.C.'s widow, was forced to deed the house to a First National Bank trustee in order to satisfy the bank's creditors due to her husband's fraudulent activities associated with this bank he founded. Mrs. Cross, along with her granddaughter, Mary, lived here until Mrs. Cross's death in 1903.
Dr. William Meffert, a locally controversial figure who had his medical license revoked in 1902 and reinstated in 1907, owned the building from 1909 to 1915. The Phi Sigma Epsilon (now Phi Sigma Kappa) fraternity, which formed in Emporia, occupied the property from 1912-1918; this was their first fraternity house in the country. The Kelly Boarding House was the next occupant c.1921, but by 1925, the Elms Tea Room was established here. In the late 1920s, the Cross House became the Mouse Palace Motel (named for local citizen, Scott Mouse). The Chi Omega sorority also used this house until the 1960s. Since then the Cross House has been occupied by a series of private owners.
Present Function:Work in Progress
Subcategory:
Present Function Remarks:Currently, the house is under-going restoration. Future plans may include an events space and guest house.
Residential/Commercial/Religious Style:Queen Anne
Secondary Style:Shingle
Barn Type:Not Applicable
Bridge Type:Not Applicable
Landscape Type:Not Applicable
Physical Description/Remarks:Free Classic Queen Anne details include decorative, stained glass transoms, Classically inspired porch supports, round and polygonal towers rising higher than eave of main block of house, decorative cornice and eaves, gable ornamentation; finial on conical roof. Shingle Style details include shingles curving into recessed windows, rusticated stone base, gabled dormers, strips of three windows, stone arches above windows in stone base, extensive use of patterned cedar shingles.
Plan Form:Irregular
Commercial Building Type:Not Applicable
Roof Form:Complex
Stories:3
Condition:Fair
Principal Material:Wood
Condition Remarks:Limestone foundation; balloon wood frame with cedar shingles; cedar shingled-roof, originally, though only remaining on north porch. Main block of house has hipped roof; steeply pitched cross gables prevalent; conical roof on round tower; bell roof on polygonal tower. Hot water radiators and coal fireplaces both original to construction, and both gas and electric lights installed in 1894. Material integrity his very high.
Architect/Designer/Builder:Squires, Charles W.
Year of Construction:1894
Certainty:Documented
Date Notes:
General Remarks:Charles Squires signature appears on the drawings of the house. Archived at the Lyon County Historical Society.
See National Register nomination for more information.
Ancillary Structures: Other
Ancillary Structure Remarks:The house at 524 Union is said to have been built by Squires, as well, and to have served as a home for the Crosses while 526 Union was being built. Verification needed.
OWNER:
Name:Rodak, Robert J.
Address: 524 UNION ST Emporia KS 66801
Address Remarks:
REGISTER STATUS:
Listed in State Register:Yes
Date of State Listing:05/14/2011
Listed in National Register:Yes
Date of National Listing:08/04/2011
Historic District:
Demolished:
Date Demolished (if applicable):
Potentially Eligible for National Register:
Register Status Remarks:
Thematic Nomination (MPDF):
National Historic Landmark:   
SURVEY INFORMATION:
There is no survey information for this record.
RECORD REVIEW:
Reviewed By:Amanda Loughlin
Review Status:Approved
IMAGES & DOCUMENTS:
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Cross House. 526 Union St. Undated Photo.
Cross House. 526 Union St. SW corner of house. 2009.
Cross House. 526 Union St. Principal (West) Elevation. 2009.
Cross House. 526 Union St. North Elevation. 2009.
Cross House. 526 Union St. NW corner of house. c1910.

Cross House. 526 Union St. NW corner of house. 2009.
Cross House. 526 Union St. NW corner of house. c1955.
Cross House. 526 Union St. NW corner of house. c1900.
Cross House. 526 Union St. North Elevation. Undated Photo.
Cross House. 526 Union St. Porch Detail. 12/06/2010. KSHS/Martin, Sarah.

Cross House. 526 Union St. Main Level Interior Detail. 12/06/2010. KSHS/Martin, Sarah.
Cross House. 526 Union St. Looking west at entry on main level. 12/06/2010. KSHS/Martin, Sarah.
Cross House. 526 Union St. Looking SE on main level from entry. 12/06/2010. KSHS/Martin, Sarah.
Cross House. 526 Union St. Telephone booth adjacent to north entry. 12/06/2010. KSHS/Martin, Sarah.
Cross House. 526 Union St. Main hall, second level. 12/06/2010. KSHS/Martin, Sarah.

Cross House. 526 Union St. Original ice box in kitchen, main level. 12/06/2010. KSHS/Martin, Sarah.
Cross House. 526 Union St. Looking NE at west and south elevations. 12/06/2010. KSHS/Martin, Sarah.
Cross House. 526 Union St. Rear (East) Elevation. 12/06/2010. KSHS/Martin, Sarah.
Cross House. 526 Union St. Looking SW at east and north elevations. 12/06/2010. KSHS/Martin, Sarah.
Cross House. 526 Union St. Looking NE at west elevation. 12/06/2010. KSHS/Martin, Sarah.

Cross House. 526 Union St. Looking NE at west elevation. 12/06/2010. KSHS/Martin, Sarah
Cross House. 526 Union St. Looking NE at west elevation - south turret. 12/06/2010. KSHS/Martin, Sarah
Cross House. 526 Union St. Close-up of front porch column. 12/06/2010. KSHS/Martin, Sarah
Cross House. 526 Union St. Looking SE at north elevation. 12/06/2010. KSHS/Martin, Sarah
Cross House. 526 Union St. Looking SE at north elevation. 12/06/2010. KSHS/Martin, Sarah
Cross House. 526 Union. National Register nomination. 04/01/2011. Emig, Rachel; Rodak, Robert, & KSHS.