| Year(s) Listed: • 2015 |
| City/Town: • Norton |
| Location Class: • Residential |
| Built: 1888 | Year Saved: N/A |
| Historic Designation: • National Register of Historic Places (1988) |
| Awards: • Merit Award |
| Contributor: Kansas Preservation Alliance |
The Dr. E.A. Lyons House, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988, was built by Lyons in 1888 as his home, including the office for his dental practice. Lyons had arrived in Kansas in 1871 as a homesteader, and arrived in Norton by covered wagon in 1885. A prominent civic leader, he helped build and manage the Opera House, and was involved with the Masonic Lodge. The house, one of the first brick homes in the city, has two front doors, one for the residence and one for the business. Around 1915, Lyons added a bathroom and screened-in porch on the northwest side of the first floor, and also added a basement to replace the old cellar. These changes allowed another bedroom to be added on the second floor. A second-floor bathroom was added in the 1940s. Prior to the rehabilitation, the house had fallen into disrepair. Work performed included restoration of the front doors, repair or replacement of porch pillars, creation of replica wagon wheel porch trim, removal and relaying of brick, and tuckpointing. Windows were removed, repaired, and reinstalled, and storm windows were added for functionality. Interior walls were re-plastered, while the first floor woodwork was stripped, repainted, and reinstalled. An ADA compliant entry ramp was installed via the addition of a second porch to the southwest side of the building, with trim replicating that of the original front porch. The home can now serve a renewed life as offices, just as it did for Dr. E. A. Lyons beginning nearly 130 years ago.
A 2010 Heritage Trust Fund grant, as well as financing from the Norton County Community Foundation and an FHL Bank 2013 Jobs Grant, were utilized to fund this rehabilitation.
The project team included: Norton County Community Foundation, Schamber Historic Preservation, Norton Correctional Facility, Garrett’s Heating, Plumbing & Electric, Prestige Drywall, Luther Construction, Scott Evans Construction, Mid-Continental Restoration, 4-D Construction, Mike Gnad Masonry Construction, Don’s Floor Covering, A Place for Everything, Skrdlant Welding, Cornerstone Building & Design, Roger Goltl Plastering, D and B Machine Works, and Roy Construction.