HISTORY

In 1900, Morris and Gerorge Scholleberger opened The Wichita Automobile Co, the first (gasoline powered) car dealership in Kansas. In 1904 their younger brother Harvey joined his brothers at the dealership. The Schollenberger’s also opened an auto repair shop in 1902 and the city’s first gasoline station in 1908. Maude Schollenberger, wife of Harvey, was credited with founding the city’s first art school, The Wichita Art Association.

Morris and Pearl Schollenberger owned the home until 1926, at which time the house was deeded to the Citizens State Bank, which then transfered the deed in 1931 to the Fammie & Floyd Brown Life Insurance Company. In1933 the life insurance company sold the house to a Fred J Friess who deeded the house to his daughter, Mary Friess in 1934. Mary married Dr. Fridolin Good and together they raised 7 children, (4 girls and 3 boys) in the house. Dr. Good also ran his chiropractic practice out of the front room of the house which was converted into his exam room.

In 1979 Mary Good set up a revocable trust. Mary Good died in 1990 and in 1991 the house went to Frederick and Bernice Stavniak (son and daughter of Dr. Fridolin and Mary Good). It appears that the house ownership was transferred to several of the children over time.

The house remained in the Good family until the last family member to own the house was a daughter, Edna Good. The home sits on three (3) city lots,  which were the last empty lots on the block when they were purchased in 1908. Many of the homes in this area were built around 1900-1910 and few before the turn of the 20th century. Another historical point of interest involves the house having always been deeded to a woman, which was very uncommon during the early 20th century.

 

Harvey George Morris

Prior to opening their automobile dealership in 1900, the brothers owned the Schollenberger & Co. which repaired bicycles at 235 N. Main, in Wichita, Ks.

Brent & Becky Miller purchase the house from the St. Joseph Church which had been willed the house by Edna Good in 2005. For the next 10 months, restoration began on the home to return it back to its original condition. Fortunately little had been changed in the past 96 years but there was still a very large amount ot work that had to be done to return the house to its 1914 period.

Some of the more involved restorations involved removal of 5-6 layers of wall paper and then having all the plaster walls resurfaced. The 1950s era drop down acoustic tile ceiling was replaced with sheet rock and the kitchen was completely gutted. The kitchen cabinets were custom designed and built to replicate the look of the1910-1920 historical period. There is much, much… more of course, and you can see most of the work on Becky’s blog: http://kansasbungalow.blogspot.com/


Following the Christmas season in 2017, Keith and Sherri Skupa began their search for a historic home in Wichita. Having lived in Valley Center until their children completed high school and left home, they envisioned returning to Wichita to find an older residence that would reflect their personal style. Their appreciation for the charm of historic homes ignited their search.

In February, they found the Delano Bed & Breakfast. On a particularly cold day that month, they toured the interior of the house, which featured beautiful woodwork and had been sufficiently renovated for immediate occupancy. Although running a bed and breakfast was not their original intent, they felt confident in their ability to manage it successfully. They knew balancing their full-time jobs with the responsibilities of the B&B—and maintaining the extensive garden—would be challenging, but they were committed to making it work.

They signed the paperwork and officially moved in on March 23, 2018. That spring proved especially busy for the Skupas as they tended the garden and took on various projects, including removing the front yard’s existing fence and replacing it with a charming white picket fence.

While the house came with some existing furniture, they gradually replaced certain pieces to better reflect their aesthetic. The large yard, filled with diverse plants and numerous trees, posed challenges for cultivating flowers that required sunlight. In the backyard, Sherri transformed a small greenhouse into a Garden Tea Room, offering a serene space for reading or relaxation among the gardens. A flagstone patio was installed in front of the Tea Room, complete with tables and chairs for guests.

To further enhance the area, Keith built a pergola next to the Garden Tea Room. The couple has made various other improvements to the home, including:

  • Professionally sanding and staining all floors to restore their natural beauty. This task required closing the B&B for a month and relocating all furniture to complete the project. The results have been rewarding, and they’re pleased with their investment.

  • Cleaning the original tile floors in the Schollenberger bathroom. After attempting maintenance with traditional methods, they realized regrouting and sealing were necessary. They hired a professional to complete the work, resulting in a notable improvement.

  • Enlisting professionals to paint and reseal the bathtub and corner sink. Keith sourced a larger corner sink, enhancing the area’s aesthetic.

  • Acquiring new antique-style beds, mattresses, and additional furnishings for the bedrooms and parlor.

  • Repainting several interior walls, with plans to add period-style wallpaper accents once Sherri finalizes the design.

The front porch has undergone various updates over the past six years; the wicker furniture has now been repainted white, with accent pillows changed seasonally and for holidays.

Recently, the Skupa’s have continued their efforts to create a welcoming atmosphere in their B&B, which also serves as their home. The kitchen has seen significant updates, including a fresh coat of paint for the cabinets and walls. They chose to retain the original yellow and white color scheme, and the terracotta tiles on the countertop were replaced with granite, enhancing the aesthetic and providing a striking contrast with the cabinetry.

The yard remains an ongoing project, with much work still needed in the gardens. Sherri is dedicated to continuing these efforts in the coming year.


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