On February 9, 1975 the Columbia Missourian reported on efforts to “recycle” “rundown buildings” in Columbia. The Hays Hardware Building at 812 East Broadway was given as a prominent example. The building was constructed for the Hays Hardware company around 1870, which occupied it for 99 years, until they went out of business in 1969. The building sat vacant until 1973 when Jackie Slater of Missouri Arts and Craft Company leased it. The Missourian describes the renovation:

“The dilapidated bailding was renovated and restored. The leaking roof was fixed, modern heating, lighting and wiring were installed, plaster on the walls was removed, and the walls were sandblasted. Mrs. Slater and her husband did the sandblasting themselves, at half the price quoted them by a contractor. Despite further renovations necessitated by damage from the same fire which destroyed the Woolworth Building last April, the building retains its 19th-century aura. The original hardwood floors are intact, and the pressed tin ceiling and the leaded glass on the storefront, neither of which is obtainable nowadays, still remain. Oaken bins still line the sides of the store, and ladders on runners still stand. "It's the only building for us," Mrs. Slater says. Although the building's owner paid for the materials, the labor involved, in restoring the building was ‘tremendous.’”

The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing property to the Downtown Columbia National Historic District. The registration form, prepared by Deb Sheals describes it as follows:

“A two story Late Victorian style two-part commercial block with a flat roof and brick walls. The second floor has one limestone and one brick string course, and it is topped by an early or original bracketed metal cornice. There are four round-arched second floor windows; the arches have been partly bricked in but are intact, and the openings have 1/1 wood windows that were probably added when the building was remodeled in 1972. The ground floor features an open storefront with a prism glass transom and metal-framed glass display windows over low brick bulkheads. The transom and windows of the storefront appear to date to the 1920s or 30s. This is one of very few buildings downtown with early storefront components, and one of only two or three with historic prism glass. It is one of the oldest intact storefronts in the district.”

In 2023, the Hays Hardware Building is home to Tallulahs, kitchen supply store, the second story is currently vacant. The Missourian also reported on efforts underway to reuse two other buildings: the Maplewood House (see prior entry) and the Wabash Railroad Station (see prior entry). James Darrough, a local historian and past president of the Boone County Historical Society said the station could be used as a restaurant or office building. He also said “There are too many buildings you can restore to the way they were…but we tear down far too many buildings that have a lot of years of life left.”

Inspired by the preservation of a historic hardware building, our group, CoMo Preservation, hopes to help homeowners, landlords, and institutions prevent the destruction of historic architecture. Original period styles might be replicated, but will forever lack the social history of authentic structures. The preservation of historic bridges is necessary for Columbia’s residents, students, and visitors to achieve a sense of place and, it follows, for our city’s continued economic success. If you want to join us in our mission sign up for our mailing list to receive news and updates.

Sources:

• Karam, Edward (February 9, 1975). Recycling Old buildings saves useful years. Columbia, Missouri: Columbia Missourian. Archived at Missouri Digital Heritage. Accessed February 10, 2023.

• Sheals, Debbie (May 1, 2006). National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Downtown Columbia Historic District. Columbia, Missouri. Accessed January 19, 2023.

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