Grinter Place

Grinter Place is a two-story brick residence combining vernacular and Victorian design elements, constructed in 1857. The house demonstrates frontier-era building methods and sits as a testament to early settlement patterns in Wyandotte County.

Moses Grinter operated a ferry crossing the Kansas River beginning in 1831 before establishing this residence. The house grew from a period when commerce and military operations were shaping the region.

The marriage between Moses Grinter and a Lenape woman brought together two worlds within these walls and shaped how people lived on the frontier. Visitors can see how a household bridged settler and Native American communities during this period.

The site welcomes visitors on scheduled days and offers guided tours explaining life in this frontier household. Check opening times in advance since hours can change seasonally and visiting is by appointment.

The property housed Kansas's first civilian post office in the mid-1850s while also operating as a trading center. This dual function made it a vital meeting point for settlers, merchants, and travelers moving through the region.

Location: Kansas City

Inception: 1857

Architectural style: vernacular architecture, Victorian architecture

Floors above the ground: 2

Made from material: brick

Address: 1420 South 78th Street

Email: kshs.grinter@ks.gov

Website: https://kshs.org/p/grinter-place/19564

GPS coordinates: 39.07557,-94.75991

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:42