Tentative Agreement to Save the Niedermeyer

This news item from KOMU states that the Niedermeyer Apartments may be saved from demolition by an agreement with a private buyer. The news report is dated March 12, 2013, 12:30 p.m. The report outlines the history of the Niedermeyer Apartments on Cherry Street: 1837 – Built by Gen. Richard and Ann Hawkins Gentry. Home…

2013 Most Notable Properties Highlights

In case you missed it, here are links to coverage of the February 2013 announcement of six historic sites named to the Columbia Most Notable Properties List by the Columbia Historic Preservation Commission. Qualifications for being named to the list include the property being older than 50 years, within Columbia’s city limits and highlights the…

Free Food and History

Even history buffs like me enjoy some perks from time to time. The public unveiling of the 2013 Most Notable Properties on Tuesday, February 5, 2013, includes hors d’oeuvres — yes, free food. Get more information and RSVP at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MN2013 The event is sponsored by the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Columbia. It…

Changes to demolition permits pondered

With 2012 seeing the loss of the Annie Fisher house (circa 1920s) and several other older dwellings, the Columbia Planning and zoning Commission is considering changing the time period for demolition requests and the nomination process to historic preservation districts. Read the Sept. 22, 2012 Columbia Tribune article, “Panel working on a new demolition, historic…

Heibel-March building at 900-902 Range Line faces demolition

Once again, the Heibel-March building at 900-902 Range Line is facing demolition. And once again, this proves the axiom that the way to save a historic building is to put it to work. Built in 1910, according to the a May 23, 2012 article in the Columbia Daily Tribune, the building faces an August 1, 2012 deadline…

Money matters: Meeting on benefits of historic preservation

A billion, with a B. That’s how much historic preservation in Missouri contributes to the state’s gross state product  according to a 2002 by the Center for Urban Policy Research, Rutgers University. Now, the city of Columbia is inviting the public to look over a study designed to tabulate how much local historic preservation benefits the city’s economy….

2012 Most Notable Properties Gala, Feb. 7, 2012

On Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012, a gala to celebrate Columbia, Missouri’s Most Notable Properties will be held in the lobby of City Hall at 701 E. Broadway. The event is open to the public. The event has been previewed in both the Columbia Missourian and the Columbia Daily Tribune in articles published on Feb. 6,…

10 N. Fourth Street – Concert of J.W. “Blind” Boone

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…

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…