Gaunt, Thomas, House - Maryville, Missouri
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 40° 20.967 W 094° 52.896
15T E 340204 N 4468243
The Thomas Gaunt House is a two-story, brick dwelling. It is owned by
Northwest Missouri State University, and is occupied by the president of the University.
Waymark Code: WM5B9D
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 12/11/2008
Views: 6
"The Thomas Gaunt House is significant for its design and ornateness and for
the early date of the conveniences which were included in the original plan. It
is especially noteworthy because of the high degree of architectural quality
attained in its design at a time when Maryville and Nodaway county were still in
early stages of their development. The Thomas Gaunt House reflects the
emerging affluence of the region and especially the Gaunt family, and
because of the negligible ,modifications to 'the original decorative woodwork,
stair railing, doors, fireplaces and windows, it remains essentially in its
original condition.
The Thomas Gaunt House was constructed during the decade of the 1870's as
evidenced by the white brick lettering on the west side of the structure. Thomas
Gaunt purchased the tract in the Northwest quarter of section eighteen (18),
Township sixty-four (64) of Range thirty-five (35) on May 4, 1860 for $693.00.
He added an additional tract of 19.01 acres on March 31, 1864 which he purchased
for $120.00. By 1882 his holding had grown to 72 acres and this property was
transferred to the 5th District Northwest Normal School in 19,05 which is now
Northwest Missouri State University.
Mr. Thomas W. Gaunt-was-born in Staffordshire, England, on the, 4th of April,
1830. He was the son of Thomas Gaunt and Catherine Wooley. He left
England for the United States on the 3rd of August, 1853 and landed in New York
on the l2th,,of September, 1853. In the spring of 1854, he
immigrated to McDonough County, Illinois, where he found employment with Smith
and Franklin, a plant nursery. In April, .1955 Mr. Gaunt immigrated to
Andrew County, Missouri where he established a nursery for Smith and Franklin.
He came from Andrew County to Nodaway County in 1857 where he established the
Gaunt Nursery. From this nursery many of the early ornamental, shade and fruit
trees of the region were developed.
During the Civil War, Mr. Gaunt served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia and
held the position of Captain of Company G, Thirty-sixth Regiment Missouri
Militia." ~ National Register Nomination form