By Patrice Hein
Strolling through the Crown Heights neighborhood, one might half expect to find Hansel and Gretel, or perhaps seven height-challenged, bearded guys marching down First Street on their way to the mines. Cobblestone chimneys, arched doorways and turrets on the homes here are reminiscent of children’s storybook illustrations of little cottages in the woods.
In fact, the architectural style for many of the homes in Crown Heights is termed Storybook or sometimes, Cotswold Cottage, named for the area in central England known for its centuries-old, picturesque homes. The style was popular in various parts of the U.S. in the 1920s and early 30s.
Asymmetrical features, curved rooflines and rustic construction materials such as cobblestones, half-timbers and chunks of limestone typify the style. Features such as windows, dormers and even balconies are often presented in miniature, boosting the “cuteness” factor.
Credit Walter Morris and his son, William, for creating this quaint and whimsical neighborhood. A 1951 Wichita Eagle article described Morris as, “A poet at heart, widely traveled and widely read, Walter Morris contributed much in the way of living beauty – broad avenues, tree-shaded streets, grass-covered lawns and rustic footbridges to live long after him.”
Shortly after Walter Morris arrived by train in Wichita in 1888, he opened a real estate office on east Douglas. He spent his life developing neighborhoods such as Sleepy Hollow, Lincoln Heights and Crown Heights. While Sleepy Hollow also boasts some larger versions of Storybook homes, Crown Heights wins the bowl of porridge for the most Storybook cottages.
Morris began developing Crown Heights in 1937. It was the coronation year for Britain’s monarchs, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, so Morris’ vision was that of an English hamlet. He gave English-sounding names to the streets. Parker became Pinecrest, Jones became Parkwood, State Street became Old Manor and Reinhardt’s Place became King’s Row.
Storybook houses were interspersed with two-story homes of brick and clapboards and one-story brick homes. Even these more symmetrical houses had interesting architectural details such as hexagonal or round windows, diamond-paned leaded glass windows, or decorative shutters – some with cutouts in the shape of candles or pine trees.
One of the Storybook designs must have been a favorite. The one-story cottage with an arched door and small arched window sports a pronounced chimney on the front. It appears at least six times throughout Crown Heights, but each one is crafted of different materials – one might have a cobblestone chimney and others might have chimneys of limestone or intricately patterned brick.
“It’s kind of fun to try to find your twin,” said Karl Miller, who lives on Old Manor in a two-story brick house with half-timber gables and a roof that curves over the entrance. Miller found a house of the same design a few blocks away, but said it was finished in different materials, so close inspection is required to see the similarities.
Turrets appear in a variety of diameters and heights. Some are tall and narrow and provide entrance to the house. Some are relatively large in diameter and much shorter than the house’s roofline. One such turret is on the house of Richard and JuRie Cole, who live on Parkwood. Their turret has long rectangular windows and is big enough to serve as a breakfast nook. The exterior had been faced with the same brick as their house, but Richard replaced the brick with native limestone when substantial repairs were needed. He also used the same limestone to replace some of the brick on the corner of the house. The effect is rustic and charming – Walter Morris most likely would have approved.
