The Frank R. Lanter House
The Frank R. Lanter House, located at 562 Park Street in Olathe, was placed on the Register of Historic Kansas Places on May 4, 1985 based on its architectural significance. This stately home was designed by the architectural firm of George P. Washburn and Son of Ottawa, KS. George P. Washburn was a prominent architect in our region, primarily known for building county courthouses in Kansas. His first was the Johnson County Courthouse building constructed from 1891 – 1892 in downtown Olathe. This building was demolished in 1952 and was replaced by the existing courthouse. Washburn was known for contracting a big project such as a public building and then seeking other smaller residential or business contracts within the same area. Along with the Lanter home and the Johnson County Courthouse, Washburn designed the Olathe High School, the Central Building of the Kansas State School for the Deaf, the Johnson County sheriff’s residence (with jail in the rear part of the building) in addition to other houses in the Olathe area.
The Lanter home not only reflects the state-wide influence of the architect George Washburn, but also to some extent the local influence of the owner, Frank R. Lanter. The house was constructed in 1901 for this prominent Olathe citizen who was a coal and lumber merchant. The variety of woods used throughout the interior of the home is a direct reflection of his ties to the lumber business. The flooring, trim and carved mantles included a wide selection of woods such as curly maple, pine and oak. IT is noted that during some restoration work, Lanter’s name was found written on the back of trim pieces found throughout the home.
The exterior of the Lanter home also reflects a unique blend of influences. The two-story house has a native stone foundation and wood siding. The style is transitional, falling between the Free Classical style of late Victorian homes and the asymmetrical design of the Colonial Revival style. The Lanter home does have a distinctive Victorian footprint with a hipped roof and numerous lower cross gables forming two separate two-story bay windows on the front corners. Instead of intricately turned posts and “gingerbread” elements associated with most Victorian homes, Free Classical Victorian homes feature columns and other classical elements. Some of the elements of the Lanter home, including the columns, a prominent curved entrance porch (known as a portico), and a low balustrade on the second story of the portico further emphasize the classic influence of this unique home.
--ALBUM vol. 18, no. 3 (summer 2005)