Feature 194: 518 West Lexington Avenue (in 2011)

Classification: Contributing.
Historic Name: Lerche/Ikenberry House.
Architectural Style: Prairie School.
Construction Date: ca. 1910.
Period 2 of Harry S Truman's Life: Establishing Community Roots, 1890-1919.
Tax Identification: 26-230-08-07.
Legal Description: Old Town, part of lot 38.
Description: Contributing two-story wood-frame dwelling; rectangular in shape; hipped roof with composition shingles; horizontal wood siding (first floor), wood shingles (second floor); six-over-six and one-over-one double-hung sash wood windows; hipped roof porch across facade; stone foundation with daylight basement. Slightly elevated lot with lawn and shade tree in front yard; driveway along the east side of the house.
• Alterations: A major rehabilitation was completed in 2000-2001 by Cohen-Esrey Housing Partners. The "Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation" was followed when rehabilitating the exterior.
History/Significance: Anna R. Lerche may have been the first occupant of this dwelling, constructed between 1907 and 1911. By 1914, Ezra A. and Fern M. Ikenberry resided at 518 West Lexington Avenue and continued living there for many years. Just one year earlier, Ikenberry had become the first agricultural agent for the newly formed Jackson County Farm Bureau. He would have known Harry Truman in this capacity because of Truman's involvement with the family's farm in nearby Grandview. Around 1920, Ikenberry left the Farm Bureau and founded his own business as a fruit grower specializing in apples and cider, under the name of Ikenberry's Orchard. Between 1935 and 1942, he served as western district supervisor for the Farm Security Administration. He also organized the Jackson County Horticulture Society. He also helped organize the Cass County Farm Bureau. By 1930, Ralph Nall had moved in the Ikenberry home.