Pilla House

LPA members have an incredible opportunity to tour the Charles Pilla house, an 1894 Queen Anne in downtown Eudora.  Pilla, a German immigrant, was a prominent Eudora businessman who owned the lumberyard, a bank, and a general store…good businesses to own if you’re building a nice house!  The skills of German craftsmanship are evident in the walnut, oak and cherry woodwork, the front and back staircases, the tower and the three original fireplaces.  Listed on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places, this house was home to Pilla until his death in 1916.  A daughter then lived there until 1963.

 We are the guests of Sue and Monte Pearson, friends since childhood and both Lawrence natives.  Sue moved to the house in 1976, and when they married seven years ago, Monte, a retired fireman with 36 years of service with the Lawrence Fire Department, moved in and went to work.  He must like to stay busy: he restored the 66 old shutters he found in the basement, and he rebuilt the tower which had been removed due to its failing condition in the 1960’s.  LPA members: drive, bike, run or walk.  If you don’t have a car then steal one (or carpool if that’s more your style).  Just be there to tour this wonderful home!