Dopf, John Dickinson, Mansion - Rock Port, Missouri - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

"The Dopf mansion is a fine example of French Second Empire Victorian Style. The house was designed by a Chicago architect, J. Manz, and built by D. A. McArther. It is significant architecturally because its date (1876) links it to the Governor's Mansion in Jefferson City, which was built in 1872 and was one of the earliest examples of the Second Empire Style to appear in Missouri. It is of similar architectural style. The Dopf mansion is an early example of Victorian style architecture in northwest Missouri, and is the only one of its kind in the Rock Port community...

John D. Dopf was born in Platteville, Wisconsin, on July 18, 1839. As a young man, he served as a printer's apprentice. In 1860, he moved to Polo, Illinois, where he published a newspaper for a few months. In the spring of 1862, he moved to St. Louis, where he served as manager of the Missouri State Printing Office. The next year, in 1863, he moved to Rock Port and established The Atchison County Journal. He served as Atchison County Surveyor from 1864 to 1870.He had a real estate business, and he played an active role in promoting emigration to the new lands that were available in Atchison County. He was a partner in the bank which is now The Bank of Atchison County. He and his wife, Mary, bought the land for their new house on May 28, 1866. They had three surviving children. "He was a person who was foremost in every good cause, and is highly esteemed by all that knew him."

During the 1930's, the house was converted into four apartments, which destructively altered the original plan of the house. The apartments were given the name of "The Hillcrest".  Original hardware, light fixtures, and some window glass were lost during this period.

In July, 1979, the house was purchased by Ralph E. Kiene, Jr., architect, and Mr. Robert L. Woodbury, developer, who undertook the task of restor ing the building to its original, plan. Mr. Kiene, a practicing architect in Kansas City, was schooled in the Beaux-Arts traditions of architecture, and considered it a professional challenge to restore the house to its original splendor. He was able to successfully stimulate the workers to a level of craftsmanship demanded for such an intricate job as this. Every effort was made to insure the authenticity of the restoration, but create a livable residence. Restoration was completed in 1980." - National Register Nomination Form

Street address: 407 Cass St. Rock Port, Missouri County / Borough / Parish: Atchison Year listed: 1984 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering Periods of significance: 1875-1899 Historic function: Domestic Current function: Domestic Privately owned?: yes Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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