Historic CoMo Blog

Columbia’s buildings aren’t just structures—they’re storytellers. From the limestone columns of the University to the brick storefronts along 9th Street, the built environment around us reveals layers of history, culture, and community.

The Historic CoMo Blog is a project of CoMo Preservation, created to share and celebrate the rich architectural heritage of Columbia, Missouri. Here, we dive into the past behind the places we walk by every day—homes, churches, schools, commercial blocks, and forgotten corners of the city.

CoMo Preservation 7/11/25 CoMo Preservation 7/11/25

THE WILLIAM BOLIVER WEST BUILDING

This building at 903 East Ash Street was constructed in 1910 by the owner of the first automobile in Columbia, William Boliver West (1859-1921).

CoMo Preservation 6/22/25 CoMo Preservation 6/22/25

Athens Hotel

In early 1902, Henry H. Tandy built this Romanesque Revival brick and stone building on the north side of Walnut between 8^th and 9^th Streets for approximately $15,000.

CoMo Preservation 5/24/25 CoMo Preservation 5/24/25

CAMPLIN HOUSE-BOONSLICK INN-SPRINGDALE GARDENS

This house located at 1312 West Broadway was named a Most Notable Property by the Columbia Historic Preservation Commission in 2004. At the core of this house is a two-room log cabin believed to have been built by Edward Camplin between 1828 and 1848.

CoMo Preservation 4/19/25 CoMo Preservation 4/19/25

19th Century Poor Farm

Located at 1601 Stoney Brook Place, this 19th century farmhouse was originally Boone County’s “poor farm” located on 160 acres.

CoMo Preservation 3/30/25 CoMo Preservation 3/30/25

Mizzou’s Memorial Gateway

Located on Elm Street at the south end of Eighth Street, Mizzou's Memorial Gateway, also known as the North Gateway, marks the main north entrance to Francis Quadrangle, which is where Academic Hall once stood.

CoMo Preservation 3/14/25 CoMo Preservation 3/14/25

Post Office and Federal Building

Columbia College’s Federal Hall at 608 East Cherry Street was originally constructed as a New Deal post office building in 1935-36.

CoMo Preservation 7/9/24 CoMo Preservation 7/9/24

1820 Gordon-Collins cabin

This 1820 cabin was once occupied by David Gordon, one of the founders of Columbia, and later by enslaved people, including Jim Williams.

CoMo Preservation 6/27/24 CoMo Preservation 6/27/24

Ryland House: An 1890 Victorian-era farmhouse

Built in 1890, the Ryland farmhouse is now in Boone Junction at the Boone County History and Culture Center.

CoMo Preservation 5/28/24 CoMo Preservation 5/28/24

Cafe Berlin: From gas station to eatery & cultural hub

Now Cafe Berlin, a restaurant and event center, this pre-engineered metal building with masonry exterior walls was built at 220 N. Tenth St. as a gas station and convenience store. It was built in 1998-1999 for Boone County Oil Company by PCE, Professional Contractors & Engineers of Columbia, Missouri and Simon Associates Inc. Architecture.

CoMo Preservation 4/15/24 CoMo Preservation 4/15/24

Quonset Hut: MFA Feed and Seed, Koonse Glass, Acola Coffee

The historic quonset hut at 300 North 10th Street and Park Avenue is a prime example of how historic buildings have been reused in Columbia. A quonset hut is a lightweight prefabricated building made of corrugated metal with a semi-circular cross section, with the name coming from the first site of manufacture at Quonset Point at the Davisville Naval Construction Battalion Center in Davisville, Rhode Island. The architecture style is “utilitarian.”