Wabash Depot
126 N. Tenth Street
Now the City of Columbia's bus station, this depot was once the last stop on the 21 1/3-mile spur connecting Columbia with the main line of the Wabash (later, Norfolk and Western Railroad) in Centralia. The spur was constructed in 1867 at a cost of $520,000. Designed by architect Leonard Wolfe, the depot was constructed in 1910 and recalls the architecture of the C.C.A. and the W.P.A. The City of Columbia currently has plans to expand the use of the building and create a central transportation area for the region. National Register
First Christian Church
101 N. Tenth Street
Although the church itself was organized in 1832, the first frame church wasn't constructed until 1841. This simple building was used until 1860. A second church was erected on the present site in 1860 and the cornerstone and threshold remain as a monument. The cornerstone for the present church was laid April 7, 1892. National Register
North Village Historic District
N. Ninth Street between Broadway and Walnut
The North Village is essentially a National Historic District within a district. Although only spanning a block, this locale has a long Bohemian history, with shop owners striking a purposeful contrast to the more "formal" feeling of Broadway. Although today the entire stretch of Ninth Street is known for being the younger and hipper side of The District, the North Village remains the original inspiration. National Register
L. J. Slate Billiard Hall
5 N. Ninth
Built around 1913, this building has a long history of pool and cigars. From it's construction until the mid-1950's it housed billiard halls and, at one point, a cigar factory on the second floor.
Allen Arnold Building
11 N. Ninth
Originally a printing shop when constructed in 1894, this building housed a series of restaurants over the years. It has one of the more elaborate brick cornices in the area
Victor Building
13 N. Ninth
Also built in 1894, the original storefront and cast iron piers remain intact. Although a saloon at the turn of the century, this became home to the Elite Theater in 1908, one of Columbia's earliest movie houses or "nickelodeons."
Varsity Theater
17 N. Ninth
A 1927, three-story Renaissance Revival style theater, the Varsity is a highly intact example of the time period. The theater was constructed by T.C. Hall, Columbia's "movie mogul," also owning the Hall Theater and the Elite South on the other side of Broadway. In fact, the Varsity became the third theater on this block. Not only is the exterior virtually unchanged, the interior has undergone no substantial alterations to either the floor plan or the ornamentation. The Blue Note is known as Columbia's premiere concert venue.
Model Bakery
21 N. Ninth
This building, constructed in 1918, is another example of the simple style that was popular during the early 20th century. Originally built as a bakery, it continued in this capacity until the 1950's. Of note is the tile flooring at the entrance spelling out "Model Bakery."
The Hume Building (ca. 1904)
18-36 N. Ninth
This is the largest, intact multiple-entry building in Columbia. Consisting of six storefronts, each shop has a separate street entrance and address. Built by the heirs of Lafayette Hume (developer of the building directly to the south), it was likely a speculative construction project designed to increase the value of the property prior to sale.
Columbia Printing Co. (1909)
36 N. Ninth
Furniture Store (1909)
32 N. Ninth
Thomas Electrical Supplies (ca. 1903)
28 N. Ninth
Bakery (ca. 1903)
26 N. Ninth
Gould Furniture (1907)
22 N. Ninth
Jenkins Furniture Co. (1909)
18 N. Ninth
Blackfoot Coal Company (1895)
16. N. Ninth
Known as the Lafayette Hume Building, this is one of the few buildings that retains most of its original storefront. The first building constructed on this block, it paved the way for other development projects. Hume was known as one of Columbia's early developers, owning both a business on Walnut and over 700 acres of land.
Next stop: Side Trips
