Walnut Street home holds much history

Leslie Carroll-Bartlett, left chats with Patricia Carter Williams, whose grandparents, Sam C. and Mabel Carter, lived in the home for many years after it was built by Carter, a co-founder of the iconic Farm & Home Savings and Loan in Nevada. The Bartletts only recently learned of the home's history.

It's been a long jump from their five-story Brooklyn brownstone to the brick four-square they now own in Nevada for Jerry and Leslie Carroll-Bartlett, who recently found out the house at 511 W. Walnut St. holds much local history. It was the family home of Sam C. Carter, a co-founder of the iconic Farm & Home Savings and Loan.

The Bartletts entertained about 45 members and guests of the Vernon County Historical Society on Jan. 8 for the annual meeting and election of officers. In addition, Leslie conducted tours and presented a short history of the home with the additional help from guest Patricia Carter Williams, the Carter's granddaughter.

"We didn't really know too much about the home's history until now," Leslie said. "We bought the house last February and have been busy painting and remodeling a bit. It's good to know more about it."

Leslie Carroll-Bartlett, Jerry Bartlett and Patricia Carter Williams stand in front of the Bartlett's home in the 500 block of West Walnut Street, Nevada. The Bartletts hosted the Vernon County Historical Society on Jan. 8.

They learned it was built about 1910 by Carter and his wife Mabel across the street from Mabel's sister Rose and her husband Ed Levens, Carter's brother-in-law and also a Farm & Home founder.

"We have the abstract that shows this house lot was purchased in 1906," Leslie said, "and the construction probably took four years to complete. It's a very solidly built structure."

The home has five bedrooms and two sun porches, hardwood floors, oak woodwork, and French doors with leaded glass windows.

The full basement was hand-excavated and lined with huge bedrock stone as were many brick homes of that era in Nevada.

"The house holds a very special place in my heart," said guest Patricia Carter Williams, recalling family gatherings and dinners at the Carter dinner table. A Nevada native, Patricia returned with husband Jerry to live here in 1994.

The Carters reared five children in the Walnut Street home: David, Bob, Betty, Gilbert and Nick. Gilbert, Patricia's late father, was a well-known Nevada attorney and champion golfer who, coincidentally, would have been 104 on Sunday, Jan. 8, Patricia noted.

Her grandmother Mabel, known as "Granny" to her grandchildren, ran the swimming pool at Radio Springs which the Carters owned for many years along with what is now the Nevada Country Club golf course and Cottey College's BIL Hill and Lodge.

Mabel was known as a no-nonsense manager of the pool and the household after her husband died in the 1930s, said Patricia, who never knew her grandfather.

During the society's annual business meeting Bushwhacker Museum coordinator Will Tollerton said he intends to enlarge the museum's focus on the Civil War action in this area as the nation observes the War's Sesquicentennial. The museum is closed for the winter and will reopen in May for the summer season.

During the election of officers, Jean Banks McQueen was re-elected Society president. Also elected were Peggy Pyle, vice president; Linda Dodge, recording secretary; Ed Morris, chief financial officer; and Vicky Headley, treasurer.

Directors elected were: Stafford Agee, Donna Logan and Connie Oyer, three-year terms; Gary Marquardt, Eldon Steward and Tom Runyan, two-year terms; and Betty Ann Woody, Leon Shumaker and Jim Erpenbach, one-year terms. Erpenbach is a newcomer to the board.

The guests were served refreshments afterward in the elegant Carter/Bartlett dining room.