Landon Center Project - Independence, KS

In the summer of 2004 a developer for Walgreens began looking in Independence for a possible site to build a Walgreens store.  In June this became a serious project and plans were set in motion by the developer to acquire a square block of property in Independence for this construction.  This square block included three significant historic buildings.  One of these was the home of Alf Landon, two-time Kansas Governor and 1936 Republican Presidential candidate.  Several organizations became involved to try to save the Landon home from demolition.  The National Trust came to Independence to review the site and the Landon home and offer whatever assistance they could.  The Kansas State Historical Society became involved and provided input to the City of Independence in regards to the project and the Landon home.  The Kansas Preservation Alliance also visited Independence and the Landon home.  The local Independence Historic Preservation and Resource Commission got involved and provided input to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Commission as re-zoning considerations moved forward.  The Landon home site is within the environs of four nationally registered properties.  The re-zoning decision became an environs issue and public input, as well as input from historical organizations, was sought and provided to the City for review before making final decisions regarding re-zoning. 

During this process Derek Schmidt, Kansas State Senator from Independence, became interested in the project and decided he wanted to assist in saving the Landon home.  When it became clear the Walgreens project was going to proceed, Mr. Schmidt offered to head up a team to raise enough money to move the home, purchase a site to place it on, and restore the home.  This was with the understanding that a 501c3 organization would own the home at the end of the project of moving and restoring.  The Independence Historical Museum agreed to become the owner of the home. 

A site two blocks from the present location at 8th and Magnolia has been purchased.  The developer, Mission River LLC, Topeka, KS, is giving the house to the Museum and also donating to the Museum $102,000.00, which should cover the cost of moving the home and securing it at the new site.

The question for the Museum is what to do with the home at the completion of restoration.  There is a politically exciting story to tell about Alf Landon, his life, and his participation in, and influence on, Kansas and National politics.   Mr. Landon spent 17 years in this house.  The house was given to him in 1915 by his father as a wedding gift.  He lived there until he became Governor of Kansas in 1932.   The general direction is to make the home a political site with a strong Landon theme, known as The Landon Center.  This would include a political period of 1900 thru 1950.  Southeast Kansas was very strong politically during this period, both in Kansas and on the National scene.  Several Kansas Governors during this period came from Southeast Kansas.  Along with Landon being the Republican Presidential candidate in 1936, Wendell Willke was the Republican Presidential candidate in 1940.  He had lived in Coffeyville, KS and had a southeast Kansas history.  With the general political theme, consideration is also being given to providing the home for educational activities, receptions, meetings (20-30), and special events, including possibly an annual Landon dinner.  It would become a repository for Landon items, as well as political material for Kansas and National politics during the period of 1900-1950.  Both Kansas University and Kansas State University has volunteered to assist is the development of The Landon Center.    The long-range plan is to develop the resources and provide a research center for political history during the period of 1900-1950.

Currently the plan is to move the home in February or early March.  Once it is secure on the new site, fund raising for the restoration will begin.  Anyone wanting more information can contact Senator Derek Schmidt or myself.

Norman Chambers
President, Independence Historical Museum
620-331-1379
January 25, 2005