WICHITA, KS -- (Marketwire) -- 11/12/12 -- Situated along the Little Arkansas River in Wichita, the Riverside Mansion is a historic, 28-room home on two acres. Constructed in 1888, the home is zoned for both commercial and residential use and will sell at an auction on December 18 at an event conducted by J. P. King Auction Company.

Terry and Paula Lowry bought the mansion in 1994, when the home was in danger of being torn down. Dr. Lowry, an orthodontist in California at the time, went to see Riverside Estate with his sister, when it was for sale.

"I didn't even know the building was for sale," Dr. Lowry, who was raised in Wichita, recalled. "My sister wanted to go through the building, so I went with her. They couldn't find anyone to buy it, and I was already planning to leave California. We bought it in April of 1994, and it's been a labor of love ever since."

The Lowrys have invested about $3 million in the property since, Dr. Lowry said. In a "state of disrepair" when they purchased it, the couple rebuilt the carriage house and reinforced the structural work in the main building. Determined to maintain the home's historic ambiance, every detail was preserved.

"From all the writing and research that we've seen, this is a replica of a castle 30 miles south of Scotland, constructed by Colonel Burton Harvey Campbell. His diary talks about how he imported the staircase from London, which was about 150 years old when he shipped it," Dr. Lowry said. "The oldest piece in the home is the Greek fireplace. According to his diary, it was about 550 years old when he bought it, and they build the home around these structural antiques. Those are the things that make it absolutely priceless."

The historic detail in the Riverside Mansion includes the Grecian fireplace and the staircase as well as fretwork by a man in an Irish debtors' prison, working his way to freedom. Hand-carved mahogany woodwork, ornate fireplace carvings and parquet flooring complete the architecture.

Each of the home's 14 bedrooms includes a private bathroom, and some have private balconies. Located two miles from downtown Wichita, the Riverside Mansion combines the location and conveniences of the Air Capitol of the World with waterfront privacy.

The auction will take place on Tuesday, December 18 at the estate, located at 1155 North River Blvd. in Wichita. Property tours will be available by appointment from December 8 through auction day. For additional information, individuals may contact J. P. King at 800.558.5464 or visit the company's website at www.jpking.com.

About J. P. King: J. P. King Auction Company specializes in high-value properties and portfolios such as luxury homes, developments, condominiums and land and ranches. The company has marketed properties in all 50 states and six countries with recent sales in Colorado, Wyoming, Georgia, Florida and Washington.

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