Last week, a May 18, 2010, article in the Columbia Missourian outlined a list of what it called unprecedented incentives provided to IBM to get it to open a service center in Columbia. Those incentives, outlined by newspaper articles, include $28 million in tax credit incentives from the state as well as a city agreement to buy the building for…
Tag: Dianna Borsi O’Brien
Missouri Theatre – Tough Luck, Mary Todd Lincoln’s cousin
In 2008, the Missouri Theatre, now called the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts, under went a $10 million renovation, again becoming the jewel of downtown Columbia. But with every gain, sometimes comes a loss — as in the case of the 1928 construction of the Missouri Theatre. Named in 1979 to the National Register of…
A hidden home at Stephens College
Senior Hall, home to thousands of students over the years, actually started out as just that — a home. Built in 1841, Senior Hall is actually built around an 1840s house, built for Oliver Parker, of New Hampshire. He moved to Columbia in 1821 and opened and operated a general merchandise store. He died the…
Keiser Avenue? Today it is Wilson Avenue
Historic homes can tell us more than just about buildings and architecture. Sometimes they can tell us about our culture and our past fears. Today, anti-immigration sentiment against Mexicans is making the news, but in the past, Germans bore the brunt of such negative feelings. The Walter and Helen Guthrie Miller home is at 1516 Wilson Avenue, built circa…
Built by a cabinet maker’s apprentice – Taylor House – 716 W. Broadway
If you’ve driven past the Taylor House Inn at 716 W. Broadway, you’ve driven by a piece of history nearly forgotten today. No, it’s not contained in the 1909 Colonial Revival home itself, although that is impressive, especially after its $1.3 million renovation in 1999 by Deborah and Robert Tucker. It is the fact that…
John William “Blind” Boone – 10 N. Fourth Street
The home of John William “Blind” Boone at 10 N. Fourth Street is a perfect example of history that could have been lost, but for the efforts of dedicated volunteers and public funding. The residence of an African-American pianist who played and composed ragtime and classical music and resided in Columbia until his death in…
National Register Listings
Columbia has 19 properties listed on National Historic Register and on the Columbia Notable Properties list. For example, the David Guitar House, also known as Confederate Hill, is on the list. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources web site also has detailed information for many of these properties. The properties on Columbia’s Notable Properties List and on the National…
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