The house where Ginger Rogers was born is for sale

Three Trails Cottages, LLC
1134 S Pearl St. Independence, MO 64050
816-833-1602
www.threetrailscottages.com

The two-bedroom, 1 ½ bath house at 100 W Moore Street, Independence, Missouri is where famous Hollywood actress Ginger Rogers was born. It is for sale by Three Trails Cottages, LLC. The house was purchased by the company in 2016 and fully restored by Gene Padgitt and HearthMasters, Inc.  It opened as a museum in August of 2018 and operated as such until the fall of 2019 when it closed for the season. Reopening has not been possible due to the Coronavirus situation and lack of public interest and support.  

100 W Moore Street, Independence, Missouri

Three Trails Cottages, LLC restored this 1906 Craftsman Bungalow to as close to original as possible with period look kitchen and bath, period light fixtures, antique furniture and other items. The City approved this home for use as a short-term vacation rental and it is set up for a new owner to begin using it as a short or long-term rental, or to move in. Most of the furniture, including the beds and linens and a TV is included along with kitchen utensils, dishes, and pots and pans.

Extensive renovation was completed to the property including foundation repair, floor repair, woodwork repairs, painting inside and out, updated electrical, plumbing, and more. The original claw foot tub and corner sink remain. The kitchen features new 1940’s look appliances and a farm sink.

The museum related items which were donated, loaned, and purchased have been removed and stored for a new museum dedicated to Jackson County history.  Some of the 260 items include gowns worn by Ginger Rogers, her tennis racquet, a pair of shoes, and a key to the City of Independence which was presented to her by President Harry Truman in 1964. There are more items that were not on display due to lack of space. 

Kitchen

The Local History Preservation Society has plans for a museum which would include famous people from the area including William Powell, Jean Harlow, Ed Asner, and others. The house was simply not big enough to display all the items acquired, and a larger space will work better. Bricks purchased by supporters will be moved to the new site which has not yet been determined. The LHPS is currently seeking a donated building in Jackson County. 

The price of the house is $109,500.

Contact:

Marge Padgitt, Museum Director and owner of Three Trails Cottages, LLC.
threetrailscottages@gmail.com

www.owensrogersmuseum.com
816-833-1602 office
816-365-9492 cell

Ginger Rogers' Ancestor Developed Precursor to Hydroxychloroquine

Dr. John S Sappington, the great-great-paternal grandfather of Ginger Rogers, developed an anti-malaria pill from Quinine.

Sappington was a wealthy landowner, entrepreneur, and Doctor who moved to Missouri on the advice of his friend U.S. Senator and famous artist Thomas Hart Benton. Benton told Sappington that the Missouri Territory was an area where large pieces of land could be purchased at low prices from the U.S. government.

The Sappington family moved to a farm outside of Arrow Rock called the Boonslick region in 1819. Arrow Rock is located near the central part of Missouri near the Missouri River. His stores sold goods to travelers on the Santa Fe Trail. Sappington's enterprises included milling lumber, processing salt, loaning money, farming, importing goods and medicines, and practicing medicine. He began importing cinchona bark as early as 1820, but it was years later that he discovered its use against malarial fever, which was a major health problem along the Missouri River.

In 1832, using quinine taken from cinchona bark, Sappington developed a pill to cure a variety of fevers, such as scarlet fever, yellow fever, and influenza. He sold “Dr. Sappington's Anti-Fever Pills” across Missouri. Demand became so great that within three years Dr. Sappington founded a new company known as Sappington and Sons to sell his anti-fever pills nationwide.

Interestingly, Hydroxychloroquine, a modified version of the drug, is now being used to treat people with Coronavirus.

More info here: https://historicmissourians.shsmo.org/historicmissourians/name/s/sappington/

Dr. Sappington was the Great-Great Grandfather of Ginger Rogers on her father, William Eddings McMath's side. He was married to Jane Breathitt Sappington. Two of Sappington's sons-in-law served as governor of Missouri, largely due to Dr. Sappington's money and influence.

Note: Both paintings in this article were done by Thomas Hart Benton. 

Sappington Museum Information: http://friendsofarrowrock.org/properties/