John Dickinson Dopf Mansion - Rock Port, Missouri
Posted by: BruceS
N 40° 24.706 W 095° 31.139
15T E 286266 N 4476507
Historic Second Empire style house in Rock Port, Missouri.
Waymark Code: WM5AY1
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 12/09/2008
Views: 17
"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