It was designed by famed architect Asa Beebe Cross[1] as the residence of German immigrant and local business owner Anton Sauer.

After marrying in 1869 they had five daughters (four survived to maturity): Eva Marie, Antoinette, Josephine (sometimes listed as Fosefa), and Clara.

Daughter Eve Maria Sauer married William C. Van Fossen in the house, having one child named Helen before the marriage failed 18 months into it.

Five generations of the Sauer family continued living in the mansion until the owner of a home heating oil company, Paul Berry, bought the house after Eve's death.

In January 1987, Bud Wyman, his son and daughter in law, Cliff and Cindy Jones, bought the home hoping to turn it into a bed and breakfast.

However, this difficult task has only yielded minor improvements such as fixing balconies and putting a large fence around the property.

[7][8] Asa Beebe Cross was one of the most prominent Kansas City architects, and designed Sauer Castle in the Italianate Villa architecture style.