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This grand house on the city’s north side was
constructed about 1870 by Springfield industrialist John
Rippon, Jr. It was built in the Italianate style,
characterized by the arched-top windows and deep,
overhanging, bracketed eaves. Originally the house had
a low-pitched, hipped roof, but that was changed in an
early 1900s remodeling by later owner Richard “Dick”
Kinsella. Kinsella was a popular businessman and sports
promoter in Springfield who was closely associated with
the New York Giants baseball club, serving as talent
scout, and traveling the Midwest, south and southwest
seeking new stars. He is credited with “discovering”
players like Carl Hubbell, “Iron Man” Joe McGinnity,
Heinie Groh, Larry Doyle, Arthur Fletcher and Gerdie
Schupp. Kinsella also owned and operated Springfield’s
semi-pro Three I baseball league and developed the
city’s first baseball stadium at 11th Street
and Black Avenue.
Shortly after buying the house in 1899 he had the
exterior roof raised to its present high pitch, added a
front dormer with diamond-paned sash and a grand
circular neoclassical porch extending around the east
and south sides. He also fully redecorated the
interior. The attic windows at the top of the walls,
Italianate roof brackets and windows were retained. The
result is a pleasing and effective addition of 1900
Classical Revival details over the mid-19th
century Italianate. |
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