Sanborns look to future with renovation in mind

A Quincy-based roofing crew arrived at South Fifth and Church streets on Thursday morning, June 26, 2025, in order to remove, and begin replacing, the roof on the double house, constructed in 1902, for Robert and Thomas Robinson. The house is now owned by Tanner and Annie Sanborn, who plan to restore the long-neglected house to full occupancy. Photo by Mary Lou Montgomery

MARY LOU MONTGOMERY

Major renovations began on Thursday, June 26, when workers started the daunting task of removing and replacing the multi-level, high-pitched roof on the historic Robinson house, located on the southwest corner of Church and Fifth streets.

Tanner Sanborn and his wife, Annie, recently purchased the duplex/triplex, built circa 1902, with the intent of returning it to a full, productive life.

The double house was originally constructed for Robert (1848-1932) and Thomas (1848-1914) Robinson, twin brothers, natives of Ireland, who in 1901 were proprietors of Robinson Bros., Paint and Wallpaper Co., doing business at 118, 120 and 122 S. Main.

Ernest Schmitt was architect for the double house, which was constructed upon a vacant lot opposite of the Public Library.

The Hannibal Courier-Post of Jan. 23, 1902, noted: “The new structures will be what is known as semi-detached houses. The first story will be of brick and the second will be covered with fancy designed shingles, a new plan used in a number of larger cities.”

Robert Robinson and his wife, Fannie, who were childless, were to occupy the eastern-most half of the building, address 201 S. Fifth. They previously lived at 106 Grace.

Robert Robinson and his wife, Belle, who had five children, would occupy the western half of the building, located at 503 Church St. They previously lived in a duplex at 1212 Center St.

The brothers continued to live side-by-side until 1914, by which time Thomas and Belle Robinson had moved across the street, to 214 S. Fifth, in a building (now demolished) known as the Robinson Flats. That was the same year that Robert Robinson died.

After the Robert Robinsons vacated 503 Church, Louis and Phoebe Rubinstein, proprietors of The Famous, were occupying that half of the house.

In 1920, occupants were Robert A. Curts, an undertaker, and his wife, Jennie.

At some time during the history of 503 Church St., the western half of the duplex was converted into two livable units. Sanborn plans to re-established two living units on this half of the property.

Disrepair

The eastern half of the building, across Fifth Street from the Hannibal Free Public Library, remains occupied in 2025, and features mostly original flooring and trim.

The western half, however, is in a state of disrepair.

A long-standing roof leak on that side of the building resulted in damaged flooring and plaster throughout. 

“The entire west side of the property has been gutted, taken down to bare studs.” Prior to the Sanborns purchasing the property, “Everything except the boiler system had (already) been removed,” he said. “It will end up getting modern drywall. A lot of the finishes will be true to that era. We had to repair some of the windows, but most are original.”

Sanborn said his top priority was to get the roof replaced in order to prevent future damage. This phase of the project is expected to be completed by Saturday, June 28. Workers from Be Dry Roofing of Quincy, Ill., began removing the old roofing materials Thursday, drawing much notice by those traveling west on Church Street, a busy cross-town artery, and those visiting the nearby library.

The structure originally had five chimneys, Sanborn said, one on each corner and another in the center. When work is complete, only one will remain. The interior fireplace mantles will remain in place, but they will no longer be functional.

There are two turrets on the north side of the house, which are a challenge for renovation. They don’t make curved wood anymore, he said.

“At some point we will re-tuck point the outside of the house, touch up all the dental work.

The east side is still original, other than kitchen and bathrooms. The floors, trim work and a lot of the original plaster is still in place, and it will stay that way.”

This is the second historic house that he and his wife have undertaken. The first is located at 816 Center, which, coincidentally, also has a turret.

Sanborn, a Hannibal High School graduate, studied at Southeast Lineman Training Center. He is employed as an apprentice/lineman at Kiowa Line Builders.