April 23: Annie Fisher’s legacy highlighted by Verna Laboy
On April 23, 2024, Verna Laboy will bring to life renowned African-American millionaire Annie Fisher, highlighting the importance of historic preservation.
Laboy will impersonate Fisher in a performance at the 6 p.m. CoMo Preservation meeting in the Friends Room at the Columbia Public Library. This meeting is free and open to the public.
Many know the historic figure of Fisher as a child of formerly enslaved parents who went on to make her fortune making beaten biscuits. But Fisher’s fortune went far beyond biscuits. A shrewd businesswoman, she invested in property. By the time of 1938 her death, the famed caterer owned 18 rental homes and had built two mansions, according to a May 20, 2015 Columbia Daily Tribune article by Rudi Keller.
Few people know about Annie Fisher because both of her mansions were torn down, highlighting the need to preserve historic property. Even fewer people know that at least three of her rental properties still exist. The houses at 316 N. Garth St., 318 N. Garth St., and 306 Oak St. are worth a total of $325,000 today. Photos by Dianna O’Brien, 3/29/24.
Many of her other rental properties were destroyed in the Urban Renewal program of the 1960s as was her 14-room brick house at 608 Park Avenue. Her other mansion doubled as a restaurant/mansion and was known as the Wayside Inn or as Fair Oaks. Located at 2911 Old Highway 63, it was demolished in 2011.
608 Park Avenue; image from The State Historical Society of Missouri; The National Encyclopedia of the Colored Race, 1919. v1, p 510.
2911 Old Highway 63; Photo by Dianna O’Brien, 3/11/10.
These demolitions erased reminders of her as a historical figure and an against-all-odds successful entrepreneur. Verna Laboy is determined to keep Fisher’s story alive through her impersonations. Laboy says the story of Fisher is crucial to Columbia, and that people need to see themselves in history so they can value themselves.
Laboy works as a program manager for the Boone County Community Services Department. Previously she worked for Columbia/Boone County Public Health & Human Services. In 2015, she founded the Worley Street Roundtable, a community organization dedicated to helping connect people and organizations within the public school system to help children succeed.
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.
