From The Archives

H.P. Jennings Mansion

Built in 1893, The H.P. Jennings Mansion boasts 5,400 square feet. This comfortable and solid 3-story yellow brick Victorian has 5 bedrooms, 3 ½ baths, a 2-door detached garage and gazebo.

Moberly, Missouri was founded in 1866. Its explosive growth in 1873 earned it the title, “The Magic City.” Moberly is the largest city in Randolph County and has a railroading legacy lasting to this day. Some notable past residents of Moberly are General Omar Bradley, actor Brent Briscoe, writer Jack Conroy, poet Melvin B. Tolson, filmmaker Mike Wilson and writer Elizabeth Seifert. Today, Moberly’s Park System is the largest in outstate Missouri. This city of nearly 14,000 has a vibrant downtown.

Many famous celebrities have reportedly been connected with 312 West Wightman. It is rumored that Walt Disney stayed several nights in the mansion and that his father was possibly the designer of the house. Moberly is only 50 miles from Marceline, Disney’s hometown. General Omar Bradley is said to have been hired to stoke the furnace in the basement of the house. His daughter has documented that he vacationed with Jennings family members in Florida. Reportedly radio stars Lum ‘N’ Abner spent a few days entertaining locals with their comedic bantering. Also, renowned Missouri architect, Ludwig Abt designed the 2nd floor bathrooms. This is documented by the Missouri Historical Society in Columbia.
Howard “Pet” Jennings was born in 1849, growing up in West Virginia. In 1870, his family moved to Moberly, Missouri where his father founded the Mechanics Savings Bank. Howard later became its president. In 1875 he married Mary Bassett and had four very musically talented daughters: Gay, May, Lee and Ruth. The house stayed in the family for 91 years.


Exterior Features

• Beautiful 3-story, yellow brick Victorian with burgundy accent bricks.
• Attractive turret in front of house.
• Ornate metal fence running in front and side of house.
• Corner lot.
• Expansive front porch.
• Elegant upper front porch.
• Stately columns.
• Ornate chimneys.
• Six very tall lampposts surrounding the property. The outside four have an electric “eye” that allows them to automatically turn on at dusk.
• Beautiful mature trees.
• Rose garden with picket fence.
• 2-door detached garage.
• Lovely gazebo.
• Semi-enclosed patio with custom flower beds.
• New vinyl windows throughout almost all of house.

Interior Features

• Hardwood flooring throughout main floor. They were stripped and revarnished. New oak floor in kitchen.
• Two large stained glass windows.
• Bay windows in dining room and one bedroom.
• Transom windows in many rooms.
• Original brass hardware and wood doors.
• Much original woodwork and trim repainted.
• 6 fireplaces, with all but one having ornate brass covers.
• Central Air installed in first floor and basement
• Five new portable air conditioners installed in 2nd and 3rd floors
• 3-season tree-top sunroom on 2nd floor.
• Kitchen renovated (2004). All kitchen cabinets painted and refurbished w/crown moulding, dental work and new hardware. Repapered with Victorian wallpaper
• Hot water heater replaced (2003)
• Completely repapered stairwell, front hallway and music room. Repainted doors and trimwork.
• Stripped and revarnished South bedroom floor. Repapered walls with Victorian wallpaper.
• Had custom, built-in bookcases put in 2nd floor.
• Hand-made draperies in turret area and dining room.
• 3rd Floor completely finished. Repapered stairwell & trimwork. Two bedrooms repainted.
• Extensive rewiring throughout house.
• Basement finished. New carpet laid. Old drywall removed and replaced with new, painted walls.
• Elaborate wooden beamed ceilings in most of rooms.
• Two separate staircases to 2nd floor.

The Main Floor

• Foyer/Hall
o 11 ½ x 24
o Windowed turret area.
o Two ornately covered radiators.
o Ornate wooden spindlework between front and back hall.
o Elegant and ornate wooden staircase.
o Stained glass window above front door.
o Stained glass window in main stairwell.
o French doors leading to dining room
o Unique columned entryway w/marble to music room.
o Closet under stairs.
o Elaborate fireplace w/brass cover.
o Restored beaded light fixtures.
o Completely repapered. Trimwork repainted.
o Stripped and revarnished wood floor.

• Dining Room
o 14 ½ x 19
o Painted in “Colonial Teal”.
o Original Oriental Victorian wallpaper covers top half of room, in great shape.
o Bay windows.
o Ornately covered radiator.
o Walk-in closet.
o Beautiful chandelier.
o Elaborate fireplace w/brass cover.
o Stripped and revarnished wood floor.

• Music Room
o 15 x 18
o Elaborate fireplace w/brass cover.
o Beautiful chandelier.
o Large picture window.
o Ornately covered radiator.
o Completely repapered. Trimwork repainted.
o Stripped and revarnished wood floor.

• Parlor
o 13 ½ x 16 ½
o Working Fireplace.
o Beautiful chandelier.
o Intricate inlaid parquet floor.
o Ornately covered radiator.
o 2 Stained Glass windows.

• Kitchen
o 14 x 14
o Newly refurbished kitchen cabinets.
o New oak floor.
o TWO ovens, one solid-surface stove.
o Ice maker in refrigerator.
o Dishwasher.
o In-sink-erator garbage disposal.
o Double crown moulding on ceiling.
o Open area for kitchen table.
o Butler’s pantry.
o Ceiling Fan.

• Butler’s Pantry
o 5 ½ x 5
o New Oak Floor.
o Lots of Storage.

• Back hallway
o 8 x 9
o 2nd staircase to 2nd floor.
o Side door to house.
o ½ bath/powder room.
o New Oak Floor.

• Mudroom
o 5 ½ x 12
o Off of kitchen
o Door to outside.
o Washer/Dryer hook-ups.

• ½ Bath
o Corner Sink.
o Toilet.

The Second Floor

• Southern Bedroom
o 18 ½ x 14 ½
o Hardwood floor. Recently restripped and revarnished.
o Bay windows.
o Walk-in closet with window.
o 2nd closet.
o Natural, beamed woodwork on ceiling.
o Repapered. Trimwork painted.
o Private bath through one door.
o Ceiling fan.
o Portable A/C.

• Northwest Bedroom
o 11 ½ x 13 ½
o Turret area with windows
o Elaborate fireplace w/brass cover.
o Closet.
o Custom, built-in bookcase.
o Portable A/C.
o Carpet.

• Northeast Bedroom
o 13 ½ x 17
o Elaborate fireplace w/brass cover.
o Ceiling fan.
o Two closets.
o Portable A/C.
o Carpet.

• Study
o 15 x 18.
o Ceiling fan.
o Portable A/C.
o Outside door to front porch.
o Carpet.

• Two adjoining bathrooms
o First 9 x 10 ½
o Second 13 x 11
o Designed by Ludwig Abt.
o Pedestal sinks.
o Separate bath sections.
o Gonzo flushing toilets.
o Large, diagonal tubs w/shower heads.
o Large windows.
o Radiators w/extra electric heating units built into walls.
o Carpet and Tile.

• Tree-Top Sunroom
o 17 x 8 ½
o Baseboard heater.
o Adjoins private bath.
o New vinyl windows on 3 sides.

The Third Floor

• South Bedroom
o 16 x 15
o Baseboard heater.
o Portable A/C.
o Adjoining bath.
o Dormer windows.
o Carpet.

• Bathroom
o 6 x 6
o Adjoins South Bedroom.
o Vinyl Floor.
o Shower.
o Sink and Toilet.

• Play Room/Bedroom
o 9 ½ x 14
o Double Closet.
o Baseboard heater.
o Skylight.
o Carpet.

• Sewing Room/Hobby Room
o 13 ½ x 9
o Baseboard heater.
o Dormer Window.
o Large working area.
o Shelves for fabric.
o Carpet.

• North Bedroom
o 16 x 15
o Baseboard heater.
o Closet.
o Carpet.

• Storage Room
o Large area for X-mas decorations, etc.
o Carpet.

Basement

• Exercise Room
o 12 x 21
o A/C.
o Baseboard heater.
o New carpeting & painted walls.

• Extra Room #1
o 14 ½ x 18
o A/C.
o Baseboard heater.
o New carpeting and painted walls.

• Laundry Room
o 24 x 15
o New vinyl windows.
o A/C.
o Outside entrance.
o Washer/Dryer hook-ups.
o ½ bath.
o Corner storage unit.

• Furnace Room
o 14 ½ x 19
o Extra large, walk-in closet to house A/C unit.
o New water heater.