Historic and amazing Henry County, Missouri home of C.M. and Vina Clark built in 1913

Photo byGoogle Maps screenshot.

This home is over a century old. It's located at 704 California Avenue in Montrose, Missouri (Henry County). It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 16, 1997. When it was nominated for the National Register, the owner was Clark Welling. He has since passed away at age 99 on November 16, 2023.

The C.M. (Charles Martin) and Vina Clark House is also known as the Rosemont House and the Clark Welling House. The one and a half brick home was constructed in 1913. The architectural styles of the home include Late Victorian and Colonial Revival. Visit here to see some amazing images of the interior.

When the Clark House was built, the town of Montrose was a couple of years from having electric lights and streets weren't paved. Montrose was a diverse agricultural community in a developing railroad town.

Photo byR. Masserang via NRHP Nomination Form.

When renovation of the property began in 1988, most of the historic material was preserved or parts were repaired or replicated.

C.M. Clark was only age one when he arrived in Montrose. He was bom in 1869 on a farm about three miles west of Montrose.

After teaching school for a couple of years, Clark and partner, P.A. Gutridge, established a mercantile business in Montrose in 1901. After Gutridge died, Clark built a new mercantile building.

In 1909, Clark was appointed postmaster of Montrose which he held for four years. He was also operating his store.

Photo byR. Masserang via NRHP Nomination Form.

In 1913, Clark was cashier of the Montrose Fanners & Merchants Bank. He had that role until 1926 when it closed. He also served on the local school board.

The first house of the Clarks burned in early 1913. His family used a temporary structure on the property to live in until the new and now historic home could be built that year.

In 1927, after Clark died, Rupert Joseph Welling who was his son-in-law purchased the house. He was married to the Clark's daughter, Constance. Their son, Clark Welling, performed extensive renovations on the house.

As family stories go, allegedly, the house was named Rosemont by Vina Clark. Rosemont is the reverse of Montrose. There was a plaque under a bay window that read, ROSEMONT - BUILT FOR C.M. CLARK - 1913.

Charles Martin Clark died on March 7, 1927, at age 57. Vina Ann Campbell Clark died on October 29, 1949, at age 77. The Find-a-Grave record indicates they also had a son. Both children have since passed.

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