|
|
|
Caroline Gocke
Hatteberg's People
Reporter: Larry Hatteberg
| November 9, 2003--On Hatteberg’s People, a mansion in Concordia will soon be sold, and
for Caroline Gocke, it’s been a home where she has raised 12 children. Tonight, the mansion and woman who lives there. |
 |
“It’s probably one of the most beautiful architectural designs I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen a lot of stone houses, but never like this. It’s just unbelievable.”
When Caroline Gocke's 23 room Victorian mansion went up for sale a few weeks ago in Concordia, folks were surprised.
|
 |
“I see this house as a blessing from God.”
“Because at the time when we needed a large house, this one kind of fell in our laps.” |
 |
Built in 1883 by Colonel Napoleon Bonaparte Brown and his wife Katie, the five thousand square foot mansion sets atop a Concordia hill. For Mrs. Gocke, it's been home since 1969. It's here she raised
twelve children and entertained hordes of grandchildren. |
“Everybody thinks I’ll have a bucket of tears to shed, but I feel like it has served its purpose as far as my family is concerned.”
Throughout the home, the original stained glass artwork stands and some Masonic symbols line the windows
throughout the house. |
| “This room has been our living room. It’s been a wonderful place for all those things that need to be done. It’s just time for me to go on and let someone else share this lovely home.”
Near the entryway a cherry wood staircase.
“It was brought over from Italy or Germany or somewhere, but it was brought over from Europe. |
 |
 |
 |
And at the base of the staircase, a Gorges Glass post light.
“Someone told us that one of the children that lived here before knocked this off onto the floor and one tiny little piece popped out and it cost them seventy-five dollars to replace it.” |
Upstairs, much more room with twelve foot ceilings throughout.
“The chandelier is made out of Tiffany. They tell me it cost three-thousand dollars and it took them three years to get it shipped over here.”
|
Even some of the original furniture from Colonel Brown and his wife is located in a bedroom.
“It’s time to move on.”
The old house needs some work, but it's past will become the foundation for the future. |
 |
“It was just a wonderful thing.”
And for whoever buys the house, some advice.
“Take care of it, love it, and enjoy it.”
Asking price: two hundred thousand dollars.
Cost of memories for Caroline Gocke: priceless.
|
 |
Note: For more information on the home, you may contact the Lagasse Realty Company in Concordia, Kansas. E-mail: llagasse@lllagasseacution-re.com.
Phone: 785-243-3270 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
