10 N. Fourth St., is a historic home, once the home of J.W. “Blind” Boone, a blind, black pianist who against all odds was a nationally known musician. He lived from 1864-1927. His home is slated to become a museum. According a notice on the blog of University Avenue Bed & Breakfast at 1315 University…
Category: Historical Homes
1601 Stoney Brook Place
Accuracy counts, even in small things. I am a journalist and recently learned the correct address for the home at 1601 Stoney Brook Place. Other accounts listed the house at 1601 Stoney Brook Ave., Drive and other designation. So why update it? Because the purpose of this website is to provide accurate information on historic…
Annie Fisher home at 2911 Old Highway 63 South demolished
The 1920-era Annie Fisher house at 2911 Old Highway 63 South has been demolished, according to this Nov. 29, 2011 Columbia Daily Tribune article. The house was a concrete reminder of black history. Annie Fisher built the house for a restaurant and catering service she operated. Born in 1867, Fisher had only a third-grade education, yet…
Historic home economics
This article mentions that historic homes are not available for economic support for renovations. The article is from a daily business magazine in Minnesota, but many of the same debates come up here in Columbia, Missouri, as well. Many people don’t realize the historic building movement is a fairly new movement, stemming for the 1960s….
Dec. 4 concert for historic home of John W. “Blind” Boone
When I mentioned to a friend I wanted to write a book about historic homes, she suggested a title for it: If these walls could talk. Well, on Dec. 4, 2011, in a way, the walls of one historic home will talk, and it will be the language of music. A fund-raising concert will be…
See inside 315 N. Tenth St., a 1882 Italianate historic home
Everyone loves to take a peek inside someone’s house. Here’s your opportunity to take a look inside an 1882 Italianate-style home in Columbia, Missouri. This house at 315 N. Tenth St., was once the home of Samuel H. and Isabel Smith Elkins. Today, it houses Village Glass works. That’s why you can get this online peek…
No guarantee for historic homes: Demolition process explained
When a house is demolished, it always seems sudden. When it happens in your neighborhood or on our regular route, it can seem surprising or disorienting. That’s what happened to Curtis Stafford, who has been working on the house at 303 St. Joseph for months. When 400 St. Joseph, in his neighborhood, was demolished, he…
You can nominate a home for historic status: Deadline Nov. 1, 2011
You can nominate your home or a home you admire for consideration for Columbia’s Notable Properties designation. The deadline is Nov. 1, 2011. Having sat in on Columbia’s Historic Preservation Commission consideration of such nominations, the nomination itself need not be elaborate. Nor does the designation hamper a home owner from doing as he or she…
Roots N Blues, ragtime and historic homes
It is no wonder Columbia is once again hosting the Roots N Blues N BBQ festival. This city has a long history with music. Until 1927, J.W. “Blind” Boone lived at 10 N. Fourth Street. At the time, Boone was one of the world’s most famous musicians, according to the website of the J.W. “Blind”…
Two homes saved, others in danger?
An article in the Columbia Missourian’s August 11, 2011 issue of Vox magazine highlighted two historic homes that were saved. One of the houses featured is the John W. “Blind” Boone House at 10 N. Fourth St., set to become a museum. The other is the Taylor House at 716 W. Broadway. Today it is…
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