This report by KOMU notes that Columbia’s Historic Preservation Commission can’t prohibit the demolition of buildings by property owners — but they can delay approving the demolition permit in the hopes of finding a way to work with the building owner and saving a historic structure. The report quotes Brian Treece, HPC chair, as saying…
Tag: Dianna Borsi O’Brien
May 5 concert gives history buffs a two-fer experience
On May 5, 2012, history buffs will be given a two-fold historic opportunity, according to this article by Bill Clark in the Columbia Daily Tribune. A three-hour concert (!) will be held in the Second Baptist Church at 407 E. Broadway, to benefit the renovation of the John William “Blind” Boone home, which is within…
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,…
Historic home, “fairy-tale house,” for rent
The house at 121 N. West Blvd., is now a rental property — and that’s good news. As I’ve quoted historic consultant Deb Sheals saying before, the way to save a historic property is to put it to work. That’s exactly what has happened to this 100-year-old house. Built in 1911 by Arch McCard, the…
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…
Update on the historic Heibel-March Building
In October, the Columbia Tribune updated readers on the development — or rather the lack of development of — the Heibel-March Building. Built in 1927, once again the brick structure faces an uncertain future. The building was named to Columbia’s Notable Properties list in 2005. Could the problem be no one has tried to put…
Brick streets save money, add something priceless
Brick streets made their appearance in Columbia around the turn of the century, according to this Nov. 7, 2011 article in the Columbia Missourian. The article further notes sources say that repaving and repair the city’s brick streets could save money. While brick paving and repair costs more, brick streets last roughly 85-90 years, while…
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…
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