Comments

Volume 11, Issue 45 - Feature #4671

Nickel/McClure Mansion Restoration

Just ran across this site. My great aunt and uncle were Dr. Dan and Grace Ensor and lived in that house when I was a child. I remember visiting there and a lot of the details like the music room, the black-and-white-tiled kitchen, study with its fireplace, big porches,the basement that had a pool table and heads of critters, including buffalo, mounted on the wall and the little powder room under the stairs. And, of course, who could forget that third floor ballroom where college dances were held and my mom and dad attended them while attending college there?

Megan Pasternak - 2020-10-03 16:02:26

Words can not express how proud I am of you. You stayed with your writing even while pursuing other fields of study. I know I will be reading even more published stories written by you. You are one of the reasons why my teaching career was such a fantasticly rewarding experience. Students like you made it so meaningful. I loved the story and hope that they find their aunt in happy pursuit of her inner self .

Moyses - 2012-03-28 08:41:31

The train ride would have to have been Nickel as Mcclure's time would have been in the late 50's early 1960's. I would love to hear more about the train ride if you have more info. Yes it was called the Ensor mansion, Dr. Danny Boy Ensor bought the home in 1941, and one daughter "Evelyn" still lives here in Alva. The address is still 1301 Locust, and the restoration is coming along slowly but surely. The home is mostly furnished now with turn of the century antiques, with the exception of the theater in the basement. We have had to do tireless work to find original light fixtures as some were missing throughout the home. The tile roof will be the largest task to date and should begin in the spring. The kitchen and ballroom are underway at the present. We are still searching for pictures of George and Lena Nickel, and pictures of the interior of the home pre-1940 if anyone can help. Thank you

Mark Bellah - 2011-01-09 14:16:02

I work at the Ponca City Art Center (Soldani oil Mansion b 1925) One of the Soldani granddaughters married Doug McClure, the actor(he signed our guest book about 1985). I love the home in Alva and wondered if there was a connection. I did some research thru the Alva newspaper and one of the Nickols or McClure families made a train ride back to W Va about 1915 for a funeral, I believe. Jerry Cathey

Jerry Cathey - 2011-01-09 01:33:40

The census that I saw showed the address as 1315 Locust St. Yes! It was also the home of Dr. Ensor at one time and is located between 13th & 14th Street, on south side of Locust Street, and has a tennis court that sets along side 14th Street.

NW Okie - 2009-11-13 13:14:55

What is the address of this house? I used to know of a mansion on Locust street, but I thought it was called the Ensor mansion. South side of Locust in yellow brick.

Steve Nicholson - 2009-11-13 09:30:25

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