The Crane-Cho Building

The Crane-Cho Building (circa 1900)

The brick house at 910 East Walnut Street stands out as the last remaining historic home in downtown Columbia. Built in the early twentieth century, it reflects the kinds of residential buildings that once scattered Columbia before commercial development reshaped the area. The two-story structure features red brick, a slightly raised foundation, rectangular windows, a small stained-glass accent, and a large front porch reached by a short set of steps. Its hipped roof and balanced, boxy form are characteristic of the American Foursquare style, a popular design in the early twentieth century known for its straightforward layout and efficient use of space. The building has functioned as a residential and commercial space illustrating the development of downtown Columbia and the blending of living and commercial uses as the city has expanded and changed.

The red brick building was constructed around 1900 on the site of a former livery stable. In its early years, the brick structure functioned primarily as a residence, housing several families as well as University of Missouri students within its three apartments. By the 1920s, new owner Cecil Crane introduced commercial activity, briefly operating a tire shop and converting the building into a larger, seven-room unit. After World War II, the property entered a long period of mixed commercial use. From the late 1940s through the 1970s, it housed a range of local businesses, including Sears Jayne Company, Anderson Hardware Radio Service, Norris Sampson Agency, Modern Finance Company, Edith’s Dress and Doll Shop, and the Trilogy Tea Room and Shop. For many years the building served as the headquarters of the Democratic Party of Boone County. Even with commercial activity, the building continued to provide housing for college students well into the early 2000s as the college student population grew.

In 2018, the City of Columbia acquired the property and used the rear lot to support downtown waste management needs. The building remained vacant for several years before being purchased and rehabbed in 2024. It changed ownership again in 2026, marking a new chapter in its long history of adaptation and reuse.

Interesting Facts:

-In 1934, it cost $30.00 a month to rent the home.