Dr. and Mrs. E. M. Shepard bought the property in 1890 for $4,500. Its architecture represents the Victorian age in America which ended in approximately 1880. It is a prime example of a more elegant age in American Architecture. The high ceilings, the bay window, the large picture window in the sitting room, the extravagance of the outside features, and the presence of numerous panes of stained glass in the windows are all representative of Gingerbread Gothic style so pervasive in the Victorian Age. Dr. and Mrs. Shepard met at Drury College, where she was the lady principal and he a professor of Geology. They were married in 1881 whereupon she gave up her position. Dr. Shepard continued until ill health forced his retirement in 1908. During his twenty years at Drury, Dr. Shepard was acting president of the college twice; first in 1893-94 and again in 1907-08. Dr. Shepard was known as a great educator not only in his subject matter but in education in general in the community. He published several important works on the geology of the area. Dr. Shepard was also interested in history and was instrumental in getting the University Club to place historical markers throughout the county. Their daughter Isabel lived there upon their deaths. The house was demolished in 1981 through a clerical error.

Approved: 5/24/76