The house was built by Marvin Robards in l900. It was designed by two of his daughters, Mable and Emily. Emily married Orin Patterson in l904 and they purchased the house the same year. Orin Patterson was from a long line of lawyers and he practiced law in Springfield having his office on the Public Square. He also served Greene County as a circuit judge. Orin's brother was Roscoe Patterson, a U.S. Senator for Missouri. After OrinŐs death in 1939, the house was converted to apartments but remained occupied by the Patterson family. Orin' s son, Kirby, was also a lawyer and worked in Washington, D.C. for the Department of Justice. He married Victoria Marince, the Princess of Prussia and they enjoyed entertaining many Springfieldians. After retiring, Kirby moved back to Springfield and lived in the house. His sister, Mary Lou Patterson, moved back to Springfield in l980 from California where she studied and worked in the art field. She currently lives in the house.

Approved: 9/11/89