Have you ever wondered about the history of your home, neighborhood or one you drive by or see often? Here’s your chance to learn how to uncover the history all around you. Deb Sheals, an architectural historian and historic preservation consultant will be giving a free talk at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2013…
Author: diannaobrien
History blogger. Writer. Traveler. Curiosity drives me. I share what I learn at CoMoHistoricPlaces.com. My newest book, Historic Movie Theaters of Columbia, came out in October 2021. My 2017 book, From Melon Fields to Moon Rocks highlighted the life of Columbia resident Charles W. Gehrke, 1917-2009, a scientist and entrepreneur who founded ABC Labs, now Eurofins.
J.W. “Blind” Boone historic home makes Columbia standout, boosts economy
Completing the renovation of the J.W. “Blind” Boone home at 10 N. Fourth St., got unanimous approval by the Columbia City Council on Monday, June 3, 2013. The shell of the house was preserved, painted red and saved from termites and demolition by the purchase of the city in 2000 and subsequent work, but until…
Take a historic tour of Columbia’s highlights
There’s no time limit on taking this historic tour. Here’s a link to a PowerPoint presentation that basically offers a tour of Columbia’s historic highlights. This presentation was presented by Deb Sheals, a historic preservation consultant, in May 2011 at a public meeting of the Columbia Historic Preservation Commission. I love taking these kinds of…
Four easy ways to help shape history
Shaping history comes in, well, all shapes and sizes. Here are four ways to help shape Columbia’s history. 1. A Saturday, June 1, 2013 concert will let you hear history — and help to preserve and discover it. A second J.W. “Blind” Boone piano has been discovered. Boone was a classical and ragtime musician who…
How to see inside the Spanish-revival home at 2 E. Stewart Road
I admit it, I love Zillow, Trulia and Realtor.com, because these real estate apps let me peek inside houses that fascinate me. For years, I’ve admired the house at the corner of Stewart and Garth, with its deep red details, creamy Spanish-revival exterior and have often wondered what’s inside. Well, this link to a Zillow…
June 9, 10, 11, 2013 festival features historic music of J.W. “Blind” Boone era
On June 9, 10, and 11, 2013, you’ll be able to hear history with the music from the era of J.W. “Blind” Boone, who lived at the historic home at 10 N. Fourth St., which is currently being considered for interior renovations. The “Blind” Boone Early Jazz and Ragtime Festival tickets are on sale now…
Learn about historic preservation Sept. 18-20, 2013 in Boonville at the 2013 Missouri Preservation Conference
This year’s Missouri Preservation Conference will be held Sept. 18-20, 2013 in Boonville at the Isle of Capri Hotel and Conference Center. This is a great opportunity for mid-Missouri, as last year’s conference was held further away, in St. Louis County. A short distance from Columbia, the conference in Boonville will offer educational sessions, technical…
Uncovering the history of the fairy tale cottage at 121 West Boulevard North
History is messy. That’s why writing this piece, The Hansel and Gretel House, about the quaint cottage at 121 West Blvd., North, published in Missouri Life, was so much fun. But what unusual things have you uncovered via historic homes? Here’s what I recently learned about one house in Columbia, Missouri. Often called the Fairy…
Does the April 2013 election bode well for J.W. “Blind” Boone home at 10 N. Fourth Street?
The election on Tuesday, April 2, could herald good news for the renovation of the J.W. “Blind” Boone home at 10 N. Fourth St. The voters re-elected Bob McDaniel as mayor of Columbia, put Karl Skala on City Council for the Third Ward and Ian Thomas on City Council for the Fourth Ward. All these…
Three reasons to save the Blind Boone house
On voting day, the fate of the J.W. “Blind” Boone home at 10 N. Fourth St. could be decided. Newspaper articles have outlined Columbia City Council and mayoral candidates’ opinions and ideas about whether or how funds could be used to complete the restoration of the home. Public opinion comments for and against restoration have…
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