Pick of the Week – Colonial Williamsburg Architecture in Prairie Village
My Pick of the Week is a home in Fonticello Gardens, a subdivision located off 69th Street, just west of Roe Ave in Prairie Village. What an incredible little jewel in Prairie Village and greater Kansas City. While colonial style homes abound, there is nothing quite like this authentic cluster of brick colonials. It appears the development began in 1956 and the architect may have been a woman by the name of Garland T. Bowers, though I cannot find any record of her. My pick of the week is a spacious, traditional, well-built home, and, though it is not brand new, I think its size and features would please many new-home buyers as well as those looking for the quality and charm of years past. This one will be gone before we know it.
I know for sure the architect is Garland Bowers. My husband & I looked at the house when it was for sale in the 80s, after which time Mrs. Bowers and I became great friends – I’d graduated from KCAI and she’d taught Art there years earlier. She’d give me “quizzes” on the proper way to mix certain pigments. With her permission and enthusiasm, I attempted to get the main house on the Historic Register–it’s an exact replica of the oldest house in Williamsburg. A family member told us she climbed all over the original Williamsburg house measuring, came back, drew up plans, bought the land just before J. C. Nichols bought the rest of P.V. She told me she researched builders who would meet her exacting standards, found one and they began building. There are many details I can tell you, if you like. I’ve loved the house for 35 years. All I want for the rest of my life is to live in that house. MMS
Cool house I’ve been to Williamsburg several times I think I’ve been buy this house I have your Plate Paul
Nannie Garland Bowers was my grandmother. She passed away around 1982 or so. She was married to Peter Elwood Bowers (II ?), who passed around 1964, just after my birth. It is my understanding that she designed and constructed several homes in an area of Prairie Village, KS to colonial specifications. I vaguely recall visiting in the early 1970’s when I was a little boy.
I worked for Nannie Garland Bowers, beginning in 1976 up until the time she died in 1982. I was honored to have built the last 5 homes in her Fonticello development. She was an amazing woman who shared her love of colonial architecture and history with me and took my wife and I back to Richmond and Willamsburg Virginia in 1977. She wanted me to get a feel for the grace and beauty of the homes built during the colonial period. We brought back a large quantity of wood moldings that were not available in KC to use in the houses she planned to build.
Her house is a reproduction of the Adam Thoroughogood house in Virginia Beach, VA. She said it was the first brick house built in America.
She was a lovely and gracious woman as well as a talented artist and draftsperson.
It was such a privilege to have met her and to have worked for her.
Roger Fox
Roger, thank you so much for this contribution. I enjoyed reading your story and learning about Ms. Bowers. What wonderful memories of a remarkable woman.