What Is A Dible Tudor?
When driving around Brookside and Waldo, you may have noticed the beautiful English-manor inspired homes. Do you spy the arched doorways and wood frame detailing? These exquisite houses you see are quite likely Dible Tudors! They were designed by a man named N. W. Dible in the early part of the 20th century.
Photo Courtesy of the Kansas City Public Library
Who was N. W. Dible?
Ohio born, Napoleon W. Dible grew up in a small north-central Kansas town, and began his advertising career in Denver, Colorado. By 1903, he relocated to Kansas City and took his career in a new direction. He became a developer, designing and constructing homes in Kansas City’s early suburbs.
Dible was committed to building economical homes for middle-class families that they could be proud of and live comfortably in. Because of this unique approach, he amplified the Tudor revival movement happening in Kansas City after WWI.
Dible could build quality homes that were each unique while keeping the overall cost low, ensuring that families would be able to afford them and that they would be able to live in them for decades to come. Many of the 5,000+ homes that Dible constructed over his 55 year-long career are still standing and adored by their occupants.
Dible’s Tudor Design
Although Dible built homes in several different styles, his Tudors are most well-known and for good reason. These homes are frequently referred to as “mini-mansions.” While most are typically on the smaller side, they have beautifully intricate exterior designs. The front of his Tudors are often a mix of stone and brick with half-timbering embellishments and stucco sides. Multiple steep roof peaks, soaring chimneys, arches, and side porches are all key elements one can find in a Dible Tudor. Dible clearly valued excellent curb appeal.
Moving inside Dible’s Tudors, the layouts were modest yet functional. For the most part, the homes were long, stretching away from the street. A central hallway connected the kitchen, dining room, living room, and a back bedroom. A staircase led upstairs to one or two more bedrooms and a fully tiled bathroom. A screened-in side porch extended the living area to the outdoors.
Fun fact! Dible and many other home developers moved their porches to the side of the house during this post-WWI era in response to the increase in automobile traffic, sheltering occupants from the noise and pollution.
One of Dible’s tactics for selling his homes originated from his advertising background. He intentionally appealed to the women of the households by including small features to his homes such as pastel-colored tiles, laundry shoots, and built-in appliances like ironing boards. These little additions were powerful marketing tools, emphasizing the livability and thoughtfulness of his homes.
High-Quality, Affordable Homes
How could a home with such attention to detail and ornate features be affordable? Dible was one of the first developers to mass-produce homes by acquiring the materials in bulk at much cheaper costs overall and constructing the houses in an assembly-line fashion. By obtaining his materials wholesale, he was therefore spending less money per house to construct them – something a single family could not have done without the initial discount.
Dible passed on these savings to the homeowners – something most other developers at the time would not have dreamed of doing. His profit margins were low, but he continued doing what he loved – creating homes for families where they could live out their “American Dream” lifestyle.
Fun Fact! Legend has it, on some of the streets lined with Dible Tudors, the homeowners were originally required to decorate their yards with specific holiday decor themes. Many still continue this tradition today – as you will clearly see for yourself when touring the blocks between 60th and 70th street east of Ward Parkway during the holiday season!
KC History Prevails
So, now that you know how to spot a Dible Tudor, you’ll realize just how many are still around! The exquisite craftsmanship has kept these homes standing strong for all these years and for many more to come. Most retain their original charm with a few upgrades here and there, like expanded kitchens or porches converted to glass sunrooms.
Ellen has a strong passion for old houses, especially here in the neighborhood she calls home: Brookside! There are hundreds of Dible Tudors in Brookside and the surrounding neighborhoods. If you are interested in finding one for yourself, call or message Ellen today!
