It's time to use eminent domain. Underneath the parlor was a large, deep wine cellar. I have known people like Carl. She was so well-cultured and such an elegant lady, Victoria reminisced. A microburst did even more damage to the west side of the property and the tower. When we asked about the wine cellar, he brushed the topic off, motioning as he looked away and saying it was down in that direction. Those memories arent often told in newspaper clippings or in legal documents I search. Some repairs did happen- such as the ones documented by A.L. A three-legged dog lurking on the castles grounds didnt help with all the drama. However, these are just natural springs. In addition to housing violations accruing, Lopp was developing a reputation of playing the property tax game. In any event, the first structure constructed built on the property was said to be a barn to house the materials for the massive house project. On August 15, 1996, the present owner's caretaker was charged with felony theft for stealing at least $30,000 worth of articles from the landmark. In 1869, Anthony met a recently widowed 28-year-old woman with two girls named Maria Mary Messerschmidt. Except for a sprinkling of hired workers and family. Some local historians propose that this myth is from people mistaking this legend with the Quindaro Slave Tunnel. On that visit, they didnt go past the first floor. "From the mid-fifties on, the Castle has been the subject of constant trespassing, attempted break-ins, dangerous encounters and often violence. Historical societies have even offered to fix it up or buy it and put the family name on it, but Loop was unwilling. from her beloved childhood home. I pointed to the sign out front, up for over two decades, that reads, Family trust restoration project.. Windows are boarded up; the grounds that once contained an orchard, greenhouse and a vineyard have transformed into an overgrown thicket of volunteer trees and brush that have overtaken other Sauer-built structures that were erected with no expense spared. Anyone in historic preservation knows this is something that must be maintained every 25-30 years. However, in my research, I did find the source of this rumor. Due to his own ill health, it was suggested that the cleaner air to the west may benefit him. Two-year-old Cecilia Perkins, granddaughter to Eva and daughter of John Harrison Perkins, was found floating in the swimming pool in two feet of water. A spade struck a brick, leading to a brick base about two feet underground with a flat stone at each corner. The Kansas City Star reported, Lopp was criticized by Unified Government commissioners for inaction during his 11 years of ownership, for owing back taxes and for having been convicted of building-code violations on the property.. I told him this. I've only recently become aware of this property and it's history. To me, whats been done is a crime and he has no respect for our ancestors and heritage, she declared. I started asking around locally for haunting stories when I began this research early in 2003. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Not realtors, simply curators of old homes, sometimes serving them up with a slice of history. This, to me, was insulting. The constant flow of traffic with people trespassing on the property and trying to break in is a sad byproduct of the Facebook page. Price, status, neighborhood, condition and all other information must be independently verified. Id seen photos. Property records also indicate that Lopp received his 11th citation for failure to register vacant property in October. Jones went on to relay to Hughes a couple of strange happenings in the house. The servants quarters and childrens classroom was on the third floor, as was the entrance to the tower which afforded a spectacular view. The pictures we took show the figure of a woman in the fount upstairs window on the right looking at the house and another on the entrance stairs. However, Shawnee Hill is a solid ledge rock, and making a tunnel would be an enormous and laborious task. The second floor held the spacious bedrooms. When Carl bought the castle- I cannot stress this enough- it was still a working, living, habitable building. The properties were owned by Mr. Lopp, a descendant of the original Sauer family. It is said that the house cost $20,000 to build and he shelled out $40,000 to improve the grounds surrounding it. Was there a legal trust? The husband of one of Sauer's daughters
Soon after, Wyandotte County slapped an unfit for habitation notice on the home, and Carl Loop was found guilty of two housing court violations. The following was initially written in 2003 and has been revised over time. I visited this house frequently. Because of ghost stories originating in 1930, the house was constantly trespassed and vandalized, which Barry and his dog fought off themselves. Travel & Tourism Home. Now, this wasn't a beautiful castle-like the Sauer place. He was convinced that a photo he took of the house showed a haunting. When Maria Sauer realized her husband was dying, she temporarily buried Helen in the family garden. Radium springs are hot odorless mineral water that has long been known for its soothing and healing powers for aches and pains. One of the legends is that members of the Sauer family are buried on the property. We never heard the story of the boy. U.S. National Register of Historic Places, "Who would pay $10 million for a fixer upper? I pushed this issue. The story is this she would go up to the widow's walk and look out at the river. He has allowed it to deteriorate to this point.. is a decaying 19th century Italian villa style mansion which sits vacant
It became clear to Laurance that Lopp wasnt willing to work to restore the home. Neighbors wanted to give him another chance. In 1919, Anthony's widow, Mary passed away after a stroke at Eva and John Perkins home at 3704 Pennsylvania in Kansas City, Mo. Under the kitchen is a vegetable cellar- under the dining room a fine, well-lighted and airy apartment for a billiard room- under the parlor a deep wine cellar, the key of which Mr. Sauer intends to keep snug in his own pocket,the Wyandotte Gazette wrote. Lopp wanted a fence around the property to protect it, and he was finally given permission to put one up. The Castle can only be viewed from the street, beyond
it is a true tragedy to let a historic piece of architecture just crumble away when there are people that would love to help and preserve it. They were detached. Trust in his word has been broken countless times. Moreover, the less that people who were already familiar with Castle thought about her, the less damage that would occur, and I was correct. But given Carls 32-year history, no one is stepping forward to help. Old Houses Under $50K and Beyond is an opinion-based blog and does not represent any property or agency. Required fields are marked *. In 1996, the caretaker was charged with stealing $30,000 worth of items from inside the house, including the crystal chandeliers. In 2011, Thomas D. Laurance, a wedding photographer in New York City, was one of those descendants who was always fascinated by the family stories surrounding Sauer Castle. The minute I saw this on the citys website, I emailed the city and received confirmation. There, he met a woman named Francisca and married at the age of 18 in 1844. 1876). He was released hours before the funeral and his lawyer filed an appeal. There must be credible correlating stories about the haunting, as this is the only proof we can obtain at this time. In midst of the repairs, the proposal to turn the property into a winery fell through due to financing. Daughter Helen (sometimes listed as Frances) died in infancy age 14 months. The dining room to the west of the entrance was furnished with a marble-top table and 24 chairs. On the particular day of her story, she forgot her gun and asked her husband to return to their home and retrieve it. After Sauer's death, while a fence was being built at the edge of the grounds. It was designed by famed architect Asa Beebe Cross. He agreed and removed the photos to keep the peace. Stone pig-pens, a chicken house, a smoke and milk house along with outdoor brick ovens also graced the grounds of the property. Regardless, Sauer Castle, stooped high up on the bluffs overlooking the Kaw River, is a treasure worth saving from further gross neglect. google_ad_client = "pub-0468606833551520";
While Paul Berry owned the home, he protected it with a shotgun filled with rock salt. Carl has been playing the tax game for decades. When the Jones family bought the home in January of 1987, they intended to lead house tours dressed in period clothing. He asserted that hed repaired the chimneys, brickwork, rebuilt the fireplaces, repaired the dormers, removed rotting floors in the basement, redone the plumbing in the bathrooms and replaced the electrical wiring. The original tax sale was delayed due to the pandemic. Windows were broken, the roof had extensive holes, the iron around the widows peak was falling down, and the grounds that once showcased one of the most beautiful gardens in the area had tree limbs scattered on the unkempt lawn. It was a long few minutes. To be cl Everyone seemed to sense something strange in the air. I have my own plans and timetables, and rest assured the Castle will continue to be maintained and improved over time. I am sure that when Jason started this Facebook page, his intentions were noble. Anton Philip Sauer (who went by Anthony) was born in Mainz, the largest city in the Rhineland in 1823 to Florian and Eva. Unusual plants and trees were also imported from Europe and planted on the property. Huber General Contractor, a well-respected and award-winning company run by CEO August L. Huber, III. The definitive, most authoritative work ever authored about the castle. His lawyer wrangled an appeal, however, arguing that Lopp still was initiating plans to restore the home. In 1858, they[clarification needed] decided to move to New York City to be with Anton's mother and sisters that had already been there for some time. Yes, there have been multiple deaths on the property. Did you set up a trust? The Sauer home was the first in the entire area to have built-in closets and running water; a hydraulic engine pumped hot and cold water from a large spring on the property. I wanted to know what his plans were- specific, detailed plans. By far the most reliable and accurate article I have ever read on the castle. Lopp filed an appeal. Mary continued to live on the property after his death. I already knew it was falling down. The parlor on the west side featured Belgian lace curtains and a large fireplace with imported marble. Twelve acres, including the land that held the stone chicken coops, smokehouse and wine cellar, remained. He failed to meet the terms of his probation, and a bench warrant was issued. A second-floor bathroom was equipped with an elaborate marble tub for bathing. A common legend is that the land was stolen from the Shawnee Indians. I wont soon forget the day that I was the first journalist allowed onto historic Sauer Castles grounds in over 30 years. Set behind long lengths of chainlink fence, one gets a sense of foreboding as if the carved lions framing the doorway and the windows in the tower are watching us. At this time, no one lived in the house. Sauer Castle is just a beautiful empty house that seems to beg for ghost stories to be attached to it. He wanted to prove how incorrect I was by inviting my editor, Kathy and I to the property so he could show us all of the improvements he has made over the years. The orchards were still producing, and with her mother, they would make jams and preserves to keep in the cool basement. Hardly. He was baptized at a small church called St. Ignatius just on the other side of the Rhine from where he was raised. As a result, I have been the recipient of vitriol, character assassination, hate mail, and numerous threats against me. Rumors of multiple deaths, supposed murders, and ghost sightings in this now-vacant villa leads to its lore. He wanted to talk to me. The property has been on the citys auction site for a while now with no auction date or starting bid, so we are unable to provide that information. Ornate walnut doors with sandstone lions on either side lead one into a large foyer with a stunning staircase made with Rosewood spindles. It was just another legend. The house needed restoration, but even as they did work on the home, they opened it up to visitors. The third floor held the servants quarters and a small room built to be a classroom (each child had their own desk). Tragedy once again struck the Sauer family when a fourth death occurred inside the stately castle. Cross was one of Kansas Citys most important architects through the areas early boom, and sadly, further growth of the city sealed the fate of most of his creations. Perched on top of the bluffs looking north into the Kaw River valley, the house was built on the old Shawnee Indian trace that fed into the Santa Fe Trail. Three young children, including little Eva (named after her mother), grew up surrounded by all the grandeur of Sauer Castle. Oh, and hes planning on building a multi-car garage where the two-car garage is falling to the ground. On the west side of the property, a large swimming pool was dug. While Jones was the owner, the home was a favorite place for psychics. At some point, the faade, literally and figuratively, will fall apart. Her own mother, Eva had grown up inside its walls and wanted her daughters to spend time with Eva Marie Sauer Perkins, who they called Gross Mutter (German for Grandmother). When she got to the graveside, she noticed that one of the Sauers had died on May 1. However, the deed and papers are on file in the courthouse in the Register of Deeds' office, and they show that the Indian Commission approved the sale. In 1999, the Wyandotte County Unified Board of Commissioners created a redevelopment district for 41 acres, including Sauer Castle, over the present owner's objections. Carl has a soft spot for family, Laurance explained. You could see her in the tall windows swing; the family moved to the east and left a caretaker for the place. Carl Lopp, a descendent of Anton Sauer and New York socialite, purchased the home in 1988. Tales of fire in the tower or lights flickering off and on (sunset reflecting off the windows) and ghosts moaning (wind whistling through the weather stripping in the tower) were circulating, but no one knew where they originated. The entire front of the house was hidden in the shadows of the tree. His declining health had his family aware his death was near. His specialty was restoring historic properties, and he had offered to buy the property from Carl Lopp. I stated in my article in the Martin City Telegraph published September of this year that to state that Lopp has neglected the mansion is an understatement. Just as I did here in this blog,I went through the slow decline of the property and broken promises Carl Lopp has made. unforgiveable that one person could be so short sighted. Just one email per month. The Sauer Castle in Kansas City, Kansas
Jones recalled her most frightening experience to Hughes in the attic level of the tower. Wyandotte County slapped the house unfit for habitation in the 1990s as neighbors and history lovers lamented from a distance at the deteriorating state of Sauer Castle. This house is the oldest of his designs left. So, he put the images back up on the page. Jones also told of a day that she woke up with the idea to take photos of the Sauer family plot. His sons bought interest in a grocery store at 3rd and Main as Anthony settled into a home at 17th and Grand while serving as president of the German Savings Association. Laurance explained that much of the bones of the home were still structurally sound. Lopp was very close to losing the castle to eminent domain. On a visit to Kansas City, Laurance took a risk and contacted his distant cousin, Carl and asked for a tour of the home. He had been ill for some time after an injury. While this has happened occasionally in the past, the Facebook page has accelerated the level of attention and, therefore, damage from the people wanting to encounter ghosts. Because he had replaced the roof about two years ago, he considered the photo misinformation. However, this difficult task has only yielded minor improvements such as fixing balconies and putting a large fence around the property. On May 20, 1930, John S. Perkins shot himself in the head in the upstairs bathroom. Absolutely epic. Huber- and others that were vital to the survival of Sauer Castle, such as a completely new roof to cover gaping holes, had yet to happen. When I went to Sauer castle, it was called Igors. Historian J.R. Russell attempted to discredit the rumors in his 1975 Kansas City Kansan article Old Mansion Filled with Legend. Why the Sauers would have such a tunnel built never seems to come up in explanations. Huber was awarded a judgement for the amount due in 2004. Anton Philip Sauer (1823-1879) and his second wife, Maria (1841-1919). Sauer Castle will not be a part of the tax sale. Eva Sauer Perkins outside the house her father built. The Wyandotte County Historical Society flirted with purchasing the home and making it a museum. "Unfortunately, the Facebook page has brought the Castle to the attention of thousands of people, creating tremendous problems for the Castle and the restoration efforts. I cant make this up. He worked first as a bookkeeper in Russia and moved by the age of 17 to Austria. For years, the grounds and the house were an impressive place where family continued to gather for events large and small. Hed dodge the property tax for three years the maximum allowed before the property was sold on the courthouse steps- then he would walk in days before the deadline and cut a check. The part Carl was missing was that he let it get to such a state that there were gaping holes in it. Just the 11 acres around the property are a tax lien sale. The two and a half story home with a four-story tower was a sight to see for miles. By 1872 the mansion was finally fully furnished, sitting on the Shawnee Indian trail that was part of the old Santa Fe Trail that many wagons passed. People believed these arrows meant finding a hidden treasure if the searchers discovered the point where the arrows' lines converged. Most of the original features of the home were still preserved, including the marble fireplaces, imported crystal chandeliers and the stair railing that climbed from the basement all the way up to the third floor. google_ad_height = 90;
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and is reputedly haunted. Anthonys health was never the best, so when he was outside in the summer he wore a gold mesh mask to cover his face and heavy felt chest pads that were thought to protect his lungs. Berrys pride and joy, a 1902 Stanley Steamer. I did a complete background report on the home, and its owners and occupants, from builder Anton (also known as Anthony) Philip Sauers birth to his relocation to America, to the building of the Castle, his death, and the present owner. Pocket doors looked to be in working function, but most of the beauty I had seen in the photos Thomas and Victoria shared with me has been stripped away long ago. While no one was allowed inside the home, increased deterioration could be seen from the street. Trust in his word has been broken countless times. The Wyandotte Gazette boasted that the view included Wyandotte, Armstrong, and Kansas City, the two rivers valleys, and a very large scope of the country in Missouri and Kansas lie at the feet of the observer like a beautiful map or a splendid picture.. Carl wanted to meet us this weekend, she said. It had been rescheduled for Dec. 10. Great Article! After his[clarification needed] business became successful, he began courting a young 28-year-old widow, Mary (Maria) Einhellig Messerschmidt, who had two daughters of her own: Anna and Maria. Anton Sauer lived in the home until his death in 1879. Pritchard. Some people told me that there had been frequent apparition sightings by previous residents. Also, the copper had been stripped from a turn-of-the-century heating unit in the basement. Many thanks, Lillian. Every tick of the clock is time that passes where past projects remain abandoned and additional problems arise. Elegant landscaping which complimented the well-manicured acreage Anton oversaw was added around the new pool. What is the plan? Could Carl convince me to publicly take back the words I carefully crafted? It has been compared to sitting in front of a cool fan on a hot day. Maurice Schwalm was one Jones invited to the house. After many thousand dollars in attorneys fees, we finally got our money, Huber recalled. Carl Lopp, a 64-year-old New York socialite, seemed to have lofty plans for his familys historic property. Ill let those of you who know me well or have followed my writing take a quick guess of how this turned out. In 1997, Lopp was found guilty of two housing court violations and was sentenced to probation. Nestled on a cliff overlooking the Kaw River valley stands a brick mansion that holds generations of memories and the story of success of a German immigrant. There are people who are ready to help restore the castle, including historic preservationists, flooring specialists and carpenters. One year after, Eva passed away in Grandview, Mo. This was the reason for all my research, and my feeling is that it is not. The now deserted mansion originally stood on 63 manicured acres with room for Antons vineyard, a winery, bakery and pergola for outdoor dining. Victoria Hampton is Carl Lopps first cousin once removed- Carls mother was Victorias first cousin. Caretakers seem to have a habit of not staying very long at the Castle. But given Carls 32-year history, no one is stepping forward to help him. Lopp was going to live in the mansion, he claimed. He ignored me for the most part. We also were allowed to go down the basement where they put all of their preserves. One could speculate that this is due to a haunting, but I feel it may be more the result of endless frustration in protecting the property from the curious and vandals who try to enter the property nightly. Property records also indicate that Lopp received his 11. citation for failure to register vacant property in October. The house sold in 1986 to Bud Wyman and his son and daughter-in-law, Cliff and Cindy Jones. If you fix what is wrong, they wont charge you. A fountain in the front yard had water piped from a nearby spring.Stone pig-pens, a chicken house, a smoke and milk house along with outdoor brick ovens also graced the grounds of the property. One of her friends had asked to have her wedding at the mansion the previous February. Is Sauer Castle in shambles as I wrote in the article? Almost like large stair steps, the land still holds this terraced feature, even though the vineyards and grapes are long gone. Huber subcontracted the work to erect the 8-foot, chain-link green fence that still stands today. If the plan was approved, revenue from the project would help pay for wider roads and sewers. He was 53 years old. Apparently, the ghost stories have kept trespassers continuing to vandalize the house, and the insurance company will not cover the expenses. Whenever the home was up for auction for back taxes, he would wait until the last minute to pay the taxes. About an hour into a tour that was avoiding the interior of the castle altogether, I began to show the frustration that had been building by the numerous dismissals of my direct questions. It was May 1. On the west side of the property, a large swimming pool was dug. Some neighbors werent thrilled with the idea that other houses would be condemned and torn down if Riedemenns plan came to fruition. She is structurally solid and sound, and the work that needs to be done is merely cosmetic. Little did he realize, however, that the house was built smack in the middle of what was once the Shawnee Indian trail. My caretaker and dogs are harassed nightly and often threatened with physical violence. If we go by Carl Lopps past 30-plus year record, its more than likely that all of us will be forced to watch from a distance until he either sells or is forced to sell. a high fence. These accents may be cosmetic, but they are vitally important to the life that remains of Sauer Castle. Of course, a little ghost lore wouldn't hurt business. He has two vicious German Shepherd dogs to keep loiterers, looters and larcenists off the estate.. The reason Carl requested I visit the castle was, frankly, to prove me wrong. . Daughter Eve Maria Sauer married William C. Van Fossen in the house, having one child named Helen before the marriage failed 18 months into it. THE ULTIMATE LIST OF CHEAP OLD HOUSES UNDER $50Kand BEYOND >. Haunting rumors go back to the 1930s, and the house has received much publicity as such. The two and a half story home with a four-story tower was a sight to see for miles. They are facts in film. Carl Lopp, owner of Sauer Castle since 1988 and the great-great grandson of the man who built it, wasnt thrilled with my description of the Castle in the article I wrote in the newspaper just weeks prior. Perhaps it was simply Mary atop the tower at night that was mistaken for a ghostly figure. You cannot reason with him. If you wish to use any part of my research, please credit me, Becky Ray, properly. One day and no one knew why she hung [sic] herself up there. He never sent out a letter asking anything like that.. People are tired. As they say, The devil is in the details. These details inside and out are slowly disappearing from this national landmark. But when questioned as to who these residents were, no one knew names or periods. My findings are disappointing to most people as I do not believe the property is haunted. remained in the family until 1950. It seems Ms. Jones always kept a .22 derringer in her pocket. Many people in the area of the home believe there is a secret tunnel to the Kaw River. He had plans of converting the mansion into a bed and breakfast, but as an absentee owner, the roof began to leak and windows were broken. Anthony and his second wife, Mary had four girls together who survived into adulthood: Eva (b. This really happened. Yet seeing Carl dismiss a structure- the wine cellar- something just as old as the home the way that he did shot an arrow through my heart. There are people who are ready to help restore the castle, including historic preservationists, flooring specialists and carpenters. When I mentioned that he's had three decades to restore it, he told me I was inaccurate. And you have let it get to this point?. Here are highlights from his post: I could not reach Schwalm for comment, but he was notorious at the article's time for getting his name in print.