Walter Morris came to Wichita in the winter of 1888 from Washington Court House, Ohio. He was an eager, enthusiastic 28 year-old who saw terrific opportunity in the plains of Kansas and was a tireless promoter of the city all his life.
After opening a real estate office on the boardwalk along East Douglas, he made his first deal by purchasing 2.5 acres in the country near Hillside and Douglas. Thus began a lifelong career that started during the 1880s boom, survived the 1890s bust, and continued until his death in July 1951.
His is the oldest real estate firm in Wichita, and his descendants gather yearly and toast to his memory. His great grandsons, Tom and Mike Boyd, operate their commercial real estate business from the office. Walter’s granddaughters, Mary and Carolyn, were active in residential real estate until recently. Mike's wife, Linda, currently sells homes through the office, and Mary's husband Jim Boyd has been an advisor and watchdog for the family's interests for many years.
Many of the properties that Walter and his son William purchased or built are still held by the family company,
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Walter Morris 1860-1951
including Lincoln Heights Village - Wichita's first shopping center at Douglas and Oliver.
The
Morris Touch
Real Estate Developer
left a lasting mark on several beautiful Wichita neighborhoods. - READ MORE |
