Feature 402: 610 North River Boulevard (in 2011)

Classification: Contributing.
Historic Name: Henley House.
Architectural Style: Prairie School.
Construction Date: ca. 1906 and 1940.
Period 4 of Harry S Truman’s Life: Attaining National Prominence, 1934-1953.
Tax Identification: 26-310-18-39.
Legal Description: Waldo Place, part of lots 2 and 3.
Description: Contributing two-story wood-frame dwelling; rectangular in shape; hipped roof with broad overhanging eaves, clad with composition shingles; horizontal clapboard exterior with wide exposure to the weather; one-over-one double-hung sash wood windows; small porch on facade with shingle-clad boxed columns patterned balustrade; concrete foundation. Slightly elevated lot; lawn and shrubbery along foundation; shaded side and rear yard.
• Alterations: Newer exterior siding added; porte chochere added on north side and covered porch added on south side; brick front steps added; shutters added.
• Contributing two-story wood-frame garage dating from period of house construction [Feature 403].
History/Significance: Kathryn Henley, a teacher at Ott School, lived in the house in 1906. Kathryn Henley's father was A.J. Henley, who was born in Kentucky, married Kate Hobbs, and moved to Independence in 1855. They had seven children, one son, Harry G. Henley, and six daughters, one of whom was Kathryn Henley. In 1908, Maria Kelsall, John H. Lee, Luch Lee, George Reyner, Vida Reyner, and Joseph Wiggins, a carpenter, all lived in the house. Claude Kennedy, Granvilla A. Kennedy, a salesman, Luther Kennedy, a lineman for the Missouri and Kansas Telephone Company, and Madge Noble, all lived in the house. James T. and Oris Griffin lived in the house in 1916, as did W.E. Johnson.
In 1920, Elmer D. Twyman, a physician who had been a friend of Harry Truman's in high school, lived in the house. Charles E. Nickerson lived in the house in 1924. In 1934, Tom Twyman, the father of Elmer D. Twyman and also a physician, lived in the house. William L. Gollmor had purchased and occupied the house by 1948; he remained there until sometime after 1954.