Beautiful Victorian Once Home to Bowen Photography — Longtime Home of McMillins and Curt Gentry

By Mike Bowen, co-author, We Found the Lost Sand Creek Site

The historic Victorian located at 405 West Olive St. in Lamar was built by D.C. (David C) Marker in 1898. He built many of the original buildings in Lamar, including the original courthouse. The Victorian was one of the first homes built in Lamar.

Marker built the house for his wife, Flora. Just about six months after the house was built, she passed away and it’s unknown if they ever lived there. In March 1899, he suffered the loss of an infant son, David, Jr. Flora passed away soon after.

In 1907 the house was sold to Marsena J. McMillin, and in 1922, Marsena’s daughter, Coral, became the owner. She married Curtis H. Gentry. One of their sons was Curt Gentry, author of Helter Skelter. Ownership of the house belonged to Marsena and his daughter from 1907 until 1975 when the estate was sold.

A short-term owner had the home only a few months. Chuck and Sheri Bowen purchased it in late 1975, where they would operate Bowen Photography for 20 years. They were in business for over 30 years.

Soon after moving in, Chuck began restoring the Victorian home. He restored all of the woodwork, added Victorian period wallpaper, and in the process of restoring it, he discovered a stained glass window by the front door. When uncovered, it brought a welcoming color to the home’s entrance.

Bowen expanded the house with a photography studio on the east side and a sunroom on the back. He got his start in portrait photography with Rodney Hawke, Rod’s Photography, in downtown Lamar at what is now Thoughts in Bloom. Chuck and Sheri operated Bowen Photography for 20 years at the Victorian on Olive St.

There is a lot of history attached to the house—Chuck and Sheri’s son, Mike, lived in the same room Curt Gentry lived in. Not only did Chuck and Sheri restore the home, they took great care of it.

See photos below showing original furniture in the house.