John Wornall’s choice of design for his new house expressed many desires. Perhaps it spoke of his determination to civilize the frontier by evoking images of a more settled Kentucky. Perhaps the house was a tangible expression of his position in the community, for Greek columns and pediments were symbolic of aristocratic leadership in a slave society. Wornall’s new house was also evidence of his financial stability; many men in the Kansas City area built brick homes when they could afford them. But Wornall’s house went beyond providing shelter for his family. Wiley Britton, a young man hired to help build the brick farmhouse, recalled that Wornall had been living in a substantial frame house but desired to build “the most pretentious house in that section.” Wornall chose the site of his new showplace carefully—it was two hundred feet away from the main road that lead south from Westport and headed toward the Santa Fe trail. Passers-by could not help but think that the man living in this landmark house with 25 ft columns was successful.

Wornall probably had some help in designing his new home. Kansas City, in the mid-19th century, could boast of a few academically trained architects. Some men called themselves architects, indicating they had some knowledge of architectural pattern books, but they had little formal training. A more appropriate title might have been master carpenter, for these men as they interpreted the classic styles in a highly individual manner. Wornall probably turned to one of these local men to create the traditional house.

Wornall as was typical, apparently acted as his own contractor for the construction of the house. He personally ordered various materials and hired at least part of the workmen. Custom and necessity often required that the client board his workmen. At least one young worker lived with the family during the construction of the house. He later recalled, “A boy in my condition could not have fallen in with a better man, and surrounded by better influences than I found while living in his house, treated as one of is family.”

According to tradition, the brick for the house was fired on a site fifty feet east of the present house. Though brick kilns were located in Kansas City, many families continued to make their own. Wornall hired Wiley Britton to haul sand from the Missouri River, seven miles away, with a four-mule team, and then carry the brick and mortar. All walls are 12 inches thick and all are load bearing. The thick walls were keyed or banded together by placing specific brick cross-wise. Two types of bonding were used. The sides and back of the house were laid in common bond—a simple pattern consisting of one row or course of headers (bricks laid lengthwise). Flemish bond—alternating headers and stretchers in each course—produces a more attractive surface but is more time-consuming to lay and was reserves for the most important wall—the front.

The limestone for the foundation, fireplaces and door and window lintels was quarried on the farm. Wornall provided a large root cellar under the kitchen, but the rest of the house stands on an 18-inch foundation. Receipts for materials for this house and others like it show that Wornall probably spent $2,055.65 in materials and $2, 450.04 in labor, for a total cost of $4,505.69. The house was completed in 1858.