These 6 historic Columbia buildings are hidden gems. Here's where to find them

The historic McKinney Building is getting some needed attention from the city, but there's no shortage of historic buildings in this 203-year-old community.

They're downtown, on the University of Missouri campus and on the outskirts.

Columbia's thriving economy has allowed historic buildings to continue to be restored under new uses and avoid falling into disrepair, said Matt Fetterly, research associate with the Boone County Historical Society.

"I think it's amazing and says a lot about our local economy," Fetterly said. "I think what we have has been done in the wisest way."

Some of these accounts are taken from Fetterly's blog, CoMo 365.

This is not meant to be a comprehensive listing.

Greenwood

The oldest brick structure is Greenwood, also called Greenwood Heights, at 3005 Mexico Gravel Road. The oldest part of the private residence is thought to have been built in 1827. It was the home of Walter Raleigh Lenoir, the son of an American Revolutionary War general. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Maplewood

While Greenwood is an example of pre-Civil War Columbia, Maplewood is post-Civil War. Slater Ensor Lenoir, son of Walter Raleigh, built Maplewood on a 427-acre farm at what was then south of Columbia in 1877, with his wife, Margaret Bradford.

Their daughter, Lavinia, and her husband Frank Nifong, moved in with her parents and continued to live there long after they died. Placed on the National Register in 1979, it's owned by the city of Columbia in Nifong Park. It is operated by the Boone County Historical Society, which offers periodic tours.

The property also is the location of the Maplewood Barn Community Theatre.

Many people think it was a plantation, but it was built after the Civil War, said Chris Campbell, historical society director.

The Niedermeyer Building

The core of the Niedermeyer Building, at 10th and Cherry streets, was built as the Columbia Female Academy in 1837. It later evolved into Stephens College. It is the ground floor of the northeast corner of the current building.

"The oldest part is the brick part at Cherry and 10th," Fetterly said. "It probably didn't have porches. It probably didn't have this roof."

A second floor was added in 1851.

The building expanded, becoming the Cottage Hotel in 1894 and the Gordon Hotel in 1902. Its visitors included Willam Jennings Bryan in 1900 and Mark Twain in 1902, according to information compiled by Deb Sheals for the city of Columbia.

It housed MU classes after serving as a hotel for a brief period, becoming an apartment building in 1921. Threatened with demolition in 2013, it was saved when purchased by Nakhle Asmar.

Residence on Francis Quadrangle

The Residence on Francis Quadrangle, completed in 1867 at a cost of $8,000, is the oldest building at the University of Missouri. It was built on the site of an 1843 house, according to an MU document.

Mark Twain dined there in 1902 when receiving an honorary degree. President Harry Truman stayed there when visiting in 1950. Eleanor Roosevelt spent time there in 1959 when at MU for a speech.

Some accounts say the building is haunted.

No one lives there now, but it's sometimes the location for special events, said MU spokesman Christian Basi.

Conley House

Conley House, 602 Sanford Place,is just off Conley Avenue on campus. Built in Italianate style, it was completed in 1869, according to CoMO Preservation. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

It was the home of Sanford Francis Conley and his wife, Kate. They had six children, all born in the home.

MU bought the house in 1980. It houses offices for Faculty Council and the Campus Writing Program, Basi said.

Columbia's first city hall

Columbia's first city hall, at 107 N. 9th St., was built circa 1905. It housed city government offices and the city jail, Fetterly said.

"It was only in play for about 10 years" as city hall, Fetterly said.

It's owned by Alley A Realty, led by John and Tanner Ott.

"The Otts have been the leaders, the banner carriers downtown" for refurbishing historic Columbia buildings, Fetterly said.

Workers were in the building on Tuesday, working on restoration.

Roger McKinney is the Tribune's education reporter. You can reach him at rmckinney@columbiatribune.com or 573-815-1719. He's on X at @rmckinney9.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Here are 6 of Columbia's oldest historic buildings