Celebrating Robert Heinlein: A Day to Remember in Butler, Missouri

The Birthplace of Robert A. Heinlein

Heinlein’s parents, Rex Ivar Heinlein and Bam Lyle Heinlein, were raised in Butler, Missouri, where they married in November 1899. After their wedding, the couple immediately moved into this house, Bam’s parents home. This was a common arrangement at the time, as newlyweds often couldn’t afford to purchase their own house. Homes were typically designed to accommodate extended families, creating multigenerational households.

By the time Robert was born on July 7, 1907, nearly eight years into his parents’ marriage, Rex Ivar had begun to feel that Butler no longer offered good prospects. Seeking better opportunities, he moved his family to Kansas City in December 1907, where they lived with his father. Robert spent most of his childhood and adolescence in Kansas City, a city that would later feature prominently in his novels Time Enough for Love and To Sail Beyond the Sunset. He portrayed the city with great affection, and Butler also earned mentions in To Sail Beyond the Sunset.

Despite their relocation, Bam frequently took her children back to Butler during summers and holidays until 1914. Robert was especially close to his grandfather, Dr. Lyle, in whose house he had been born. Dr. Lyle held a special fondness for his grandson, but his death in August 1914 marked a turning point. After his passing, the family’s visits to Butler came to an end, bringing to a close some of the happiest moments of young Robert’s childhood.

The house hadn’t changed at all since my previous visits but I was still glad to see it. After all, it seemed unlikely I’d ever be in this part of the world again. I would have loved to explore the interior, but since it’s a private residence, I didn’t dream of intruding on the current owners. Gwyneth took a few photos of me standing outside, and I took some photos of both of us with the house in the background. I’m sure the owners must be used to Heinlein fans doing that sort of thing from time to time. I hope they don’t mind.

It’s a little sad to see the sign marking the house as the birthplace of Robert Heinlein still lying rather forlornly against one of the walls. I’ve seen a photo of it in its original place, standing on a post in the front yard, and it looked so much better like that. It would be great if the city could restore the sign to its former glory. Heinlein had been delighted by it when he saw it in the spring of 1980. He even joked that he was now “an hysterical marker since they have placed signs at both ends of town stating that it was his birthplace, and the house he was born in has another sign.” (Letter from Virginia Heinlein to Margery Strithers, May 18, 1980)

I took a few more photos and some video and walked down the street towards the car. Before getting inside, I took one last look at the house Heinlein himself had last seen one glorious day in 1980. Amazingly, if Randall Kryn, a science fiction fan from Illinois, hadn’t written to Mayor Bill Thornton to inform him that Heinlein had been born in Butler, that day of celebration would never have happened. I hope Mr. Kryn was there that day—I certainly wish I had been.