Historic Victorian Kansas home with ties to aviation history up for auction. Look inside
A historical house designed by Fred Stearman, the father of aviation legend Lloyd Stearman, will be up for auction next month, and it’s less than an hour drive from Wichita.
The 1907 Victorian-style Martha A. Kiefer house is located in Harper and is complete with a large front porch, original woodwork, formal dining room, office with built-in shelving and more.
“The grand entrance welcomes you with a gas log fireplace with a hand-painted iron surround, window seat and wooden stairs, setting the tone for the exceptional craftsmanship throughout,” real estate and auction company McCurdy’s website reads.
McCurdy is hosting two open houses for the property, Wednesday, March 12 and Monday, March 17 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
The online-only auction begins Tuesday, March 11 at 2 p.m. and closes 2 p.m. Thursday, March 20. People interested in participating can schedule a showing or register to bid at McCurdy.com/10417. The opening bid has not been set yet.
The home at 1310 Central St. in Harper includes 2,850 square feet of finished living space and sits on a 10,650-square-foot lot.
The backyard could be a perfect opportunity to host outdoor parties, with a garden, brick and stone walkways, a waterfall and even a koi pond. The five bedroom, one-and-a-half bathroom house also has a separate carriage house with a finished loft and a wood-burning stove.
The property’s auctioneer, Isaac Klingman, said in a Feb. 20 press release the home is “a masterpiece of Victorian architecture with direct ties to America’s aviation history.”
“The fact that it’s being offered at absolute auction makes this an unprecedented opportunity for collectors, historians, or anyone seeking a unique piece of Kansas heritage,” Klingman said in the press release.
Fred Stearman’s son, Lloyd Stearman, founded Stearman Aircraft Company in 1926 in Californa.
The Kansas native, who had worked for various aircraft companies, operated the company in California for a year before he moved back and operate it in Wichita in 1927. The Stearman Kaydet was the main primary trainer used by the Army and Navy for decades. Stearman left the company in 1931 and it was absorbed into Boeing in 1934.
The home in Harper, registered with the Kansas Historical Registry, has modern updates that include an HVAC system, a new electrical system, irrigation system and more.
“This exceptional Victorian estate combines the grandeur of yesteryear with the comfort of modern living,” the listing concludes.
