The Harry Ford Sinclair Mansion: Red Tile Roof, Gold Masonry & Woodwork
215 S 5th St, Independence, KS 67301 — $369,900
5 Bedrooms | 4 Baths | 4,552 Sq. Ft. | Built in 1906 | 0.30 Acres
Built exclusively for Harry Ford Sinclair, founder of the Sinclair Oil Company, this remarkable 1906 Greek Revival mansion remains one of Independence’s most distinctive historic residences.
Constructed at a reported cost of $25,000, the 12-room residence is distinguished by enormous front porch columns, gold masonry, and an unmistakable red tile roof.
Inside, an impressive entry hall and grand staircase lead into beautifully preserved spaces featuring hand-carved Birdseye Maple woodwork, carved pillars, pocket doors, beamed ceilings, and four fireplaces.
The library and study open onto the western porch and include a fireplace and half bath, while the formal living and dining rooms retain the generous proportions expected of a mansion of this era.
The second floor provides four to five bedrooms, including a front primary suite with private bath and access to a broad balcony stretching along the front and side porches. Two additional guest bedrooms occupy the walk-up attic, while the full basement features a tiled poker and recreation room with beamed ceilings, fireplace, and half bath.
One of the home’s most fascinating details is its main staircase, whose unusually short risers were reportedly designed to accommodate Sinclair’s limp following a hunting accident. Set on a landscaped corner lot near downtown, churches, and the public library, the property also includes a detached garage and expansive porches that reinforce its grand presence. For a buyer drawn to authentic American history and exceptional craftsmanship, 215 S 5th Street offers the rare opportunity to own a mansion created for one of the nation’s notable oil pioneers—and to preserve its extraordinary architectural legacy for another generation.
Listed by: Cynthia White 620-331-7060, Bill White Realty
