Historic Homes of Kennett Tour Debuts at Fall into Arts Festival

Discover the Century-Old Residences of Kennett’s Early Founders

For the first time in decades, a drive-by tour of some of Kennett’s oldest homes will be featured in conjunction with the Fall into Arts Festival. Scheduled for Saturday, September 7, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the narrated tour offers a unique opportunity to view the homes of Kennett’s early residents who shaped the city’s history. Tours will begin on the hour and half-hour starting at 11 a.m..

“Last year we introduced the Historical Walking Tour on the Square. This year, thanks to the hard work of KAFTA board member Lisa Dry, we’re expanding it to include the homes of several of Kennett’s founders,” said Festival Coordinator Mariann Wright. “As Kennett approaches its 180th anniversary, we’re excited to highlight its early history and bring the stories of our city’s beginnings to life.”

Kennett’s Early Origins: Chief Chilletacaux and Beyond

The ride-along tour begins at the Dunklin County Museum parking lot on the northeast corner of the square, near the site where the area’s earliest settlers lived. “Before Kennett was Kennett, it was known as Chilletecaux, after the Delaware tribal chief who led the Native American village here. A marker in the City Hall parking lot commemorates the approximate site of his log hut. His story is as integral to our history as the settlers who followed,” explained Wright.

In Mary Smyth-Davis’ History of Dunklin County, Chief Chilletecaux is described as “a progressive Indian” who built a log cabin and planted fruit trees, believing himself to be quite modern. His land was eventually purchased by Howard Moore, Dunklin County’s first white settler.

Economic Growth and Architectural Heritage

Although Kennett was established in 1846, its growth was set back by the Civil War. Recovery was slow until the arrival of the first railroad in 1892, which provided the growth engine drawing entrepreneurs who built homes that reflected their success. This year’s tour features 11 homes from that era, each representing a significant figure in Kennett’s development.

“Early civic leaders were business owners, judges, bankers, lawyers, and those in the lumber industry. Their homes still stand, holding the memories of a town that began as a fur-trading post,” Wright said. “We’re sharing their stories to ensure our history is remembered.”

Narration by Local History Enthusiast Tony Byrd

Tony Byrd, a member of the Kennett Genealogical Society, will narrate the 25-minute tour, sharing his extensive knowledge of Kennett’s history as the tour winds through the city’s oldest streets. Byrd has noted that much of Kennett’s history isn’t found online but in local newspapers and history books, which he has absorbed while exploring his interest in the families and history of Kennett’s early days.

In addition to the 11 points of interest from last year’s tour, the following historic homes, built between 1877 and the early 1900s, are included:

1. Pankey/Baker Home, 604 College Ave.

2. Hemphill-Carter Home. 511 College Ave.

3. T. E. Baldwin Home, 200 W. Washington St.

4. Tatum Home, 203 N. Jackson St.

5. Tatum-Adams Home, 201 N. Jackson St.

6. Hawkins-Wickham Home, 301 W. Washington St.

7. T.R.R. Ely Home, 300 W. Washington St.

8. Randol-Melin Home, 303 W. Washington St.

9. Donaldson Home, 306 W. Washington St.

10. Redman Home, 401 St. Francis St.

11. J. H. Dunmire Home, 303 St. Francis St.

The Fall into Arts Festival is packed with musical performances, art exhibits, food, and more, ensuring a full day of entertainment. Stay updated by following the Fall into Arts Festival on Facebook and visit KAFTA.org for the entertainment schedule and a complete list of vendors. Vendors can register at https://www.kafta.org/vendor-registration-form.

The Fall into Arts Festival is proudly sponsored by the Kennett Alliance for the Arts (KAFTA), a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting the arts. Supported by the Missouri Arts Council and local sponsors, KAFTA uses all proceeds to enrich local arts programs.