Jan. 23: Orr St. Manufactured Gas Plant (1875-1932): Fueling A Growing Town

Join us at a new time – 6 p.m. – on Jan. 23 for a talk that will take us through the historic and hazardous legacy of the Orr Street area by Dr. Chris Cady, an environmental scientist with the Department of Natural Resources.

The area at 210 Orr St. is set to become a city park but at one time it was home to a crucial energy source – manufactured gas. Founded in 1875 by Odon Guitar, the plant provided gas before electric plants lighted our streets and interstate natural gas pipelines reached Missouri. Learn about the plant’s connection to the Wabash Railroad and Flat Branch Creek until the plant closed after natural gas arrived in 1932. The plant then faded into obscurity until recently when it underwent an environmental cleanup.

Chris received his master’s and doctorate degrees in Environmental Chemistry from the University of Missouri. After working several years at ABC Laboratories, now Eurofins, he joined the Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources’ Environmental Remediation Program, Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Section. He has overseen the cleanup of contaminated sites across Missouri and has helped return several Columbia properties to safe reuse, including Flat Branch Park, the University South Farms burial site, and the Orr St. Park site.

Chris is keenly interested in recycling, reuse, and waste reduction, especially in the areas of construction, demolition, and architectural salvage.

All CoMo Preservation’s monthly meetings feature a guest speaker on historic preservation and/or historic properties in Columbia, Missouri, and are open to the public and held in the Friends Room at the Columbia Public Library.

CoMo Preservation is devoted to helping 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 places and spaces gives people a sense of place and boosts Columbia’s economy. You can get involved by volunteering, signing up for our mailing list, attending an event, becoming a member or donating.

Questions? Suggestions for speakers or events? Email CoMoPreservation@gmail.com.