Did anyone ever measure the front of the Houston House? I'll have to build it as a low relief, so I could use a dimension for the width of the front. I need a picture of the tavern over the creek also. Edit 2/8/2024: Railroad hotel and eating house or restaurant. The building address is 100 East 1st Street aka Front Street, Newburg, MO 65550. Added building occupancy location address. MKD
Don, I have pics of both the front and the rear of the pub that sits over the Branch. We are in Olathe now - I'll send them to you when I get back home. I think I posted them in my "Rolla visit" postings from the past two Aprils. Ken
Has anyone ever done any measuring on the front of the Houston House? I have some nice photos of it that I've taken, but have never done any measuring. Guess I could scale from the front photo, but would like to know how big the big windows are in front and how wide the building is. If I had the time, I'd drive down and measure myself.
Ok, The smart #@% in me couldn't just ignore the opening. Wouldn't it be better to measure the building as opposed to measuring yourself?
If you want to run down there some day in August, let me know and I'll tag along. I'll help you measure the place. That should cause a stir among the locals, not unlike the time you, Jan, Joe, Kurt and I met down there. Recall some guy staggered out of the corner bar and wanted to know if we were from the railroad and if we were going to reopen the yards. I wish! Ken
Just as a suggestion, take a camera AND a known length pole with you. When we went and took measurements at Webster Groves, I also took an exact 6 foot long fencepost along. When I blow up my photos, I can still get a close measurement of what ever- length, height, etc. Just do a bit of math, and it works pretty well. I did have a tape measure and got dimensions of windows, doors, and depths of items you obviously can't tell in a photograph. Dan
Dan, That is a good reminder for all of us. I remember a Model Railroader article from long ago about that same thing. In the article the author had painted his measuring stick into alternating black and white one foot segments. He would either lean the pole against his subject, or tape it vertical or horizontal to the side of cars. Off-hand, I'd say you are about 5' 11"?
I used to be 6 foot, but since I have been breaking things, getting new parts, I have lost an inch! Just wish that applied to my girth as well! And it was the MR from years ago that taught me that. Sometimes, the old steel trap brain works!! I just keep saying, let the tape keep playing, it will come back soon! Dan
Just wanted to let you guys know that I live less than two blocks east of the Houston House. Right now the road in front of the Houston House, East First Street, is being torn up to make room for a new city water main. Also, the Sullivan Hotel is currently under renovation and has a crew working on the brick facing and windows. They are also blocking the road east of the Houston House. It may not be such a good time to try to measure the building with all the activity, but if you insist, you might want to give Phylis a call at the Newburg City Hall between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM. Her phone number is 573-762-2135. George
