What a Beaut’: “Peanut Brittle” Houses
Since 1998, the city’s Most Notable Property (MNP) Program has been highlighting and celebrating the historical significance of properties in Columbia, Missouri. The Program is managed by the city’s Historic Preservation Commission. In order to be considered for MNP recognition, a residential or commercial property must be at least 50 years old, within the city limits, and possess historical or architectural significance unique to Columbia. To make a nomination or find more information about the MNP Program visit https://www.comopreservation.org/most-notable-property-program. Applications are due by the end of the year.
704 Westmount Avenue; Photo taken by Chris Creasy 9/26/23
Built in 1906 the property in the image above, as well as 608 Westmount and 504 Westmount, were recognized as Most Notable Properties in 2001. As described at that time by local Historic Preservation Consultant, Deb Sheals, in the Most Notable Property archives:
“These three houses are known locally as the "peanut brittle houses," after their unusual construction materials. The walls are built of concrete blocks that have pebbles embedded into their faces to give the general appearance of cut stone blocks. They are also significant in that they all appear to be the work of a female architect, Mary Hale LaFon. It is known that LaFon designed 704 and probable that she drew the plans for the other two as well. Although LaFon was living in University City near St. Louis when these houses were built, she was no stranger to Columbia. She had a degree from the University of Missouri and lived and worked as an architect in Columbia around the turn of the 20th century, as Mary Louise Hale. (She married civil engineer Thomas LaFon around 1905.)
704 Westmount was built for Dr. C. S. Wildman in 1906. A profile of the Wildman house was published in the November 1908 issue of Beautiful Homes magazine. LaFon wrote for the magazine and no doubt had a hand in its selection for that publication.
608 Westmount, also built in 1906, was constructed for the Hendrick family. It was the home of Professor Edwin Pickett for the last half of the 20th century.
504 Westmount was built in 1906 for University professor Winterton C. Curtis, who lived there for nearly half a century. Curtis was a nationally recognized zoologist who testified at the famous Scopes Monkey Trial in 1925. In 1957 he wrote an informative first-hand account of the early days of the Westmount neighborhood.” (Note, later research revealed that he did not testify, but submitted written testimony.)
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 is necessary for Columbia’s residents, students, and visitors to achieve a sense of place and also for our city’s continued economic success.
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Sources
Columbia’s Historic Preservation Commission. “Most Notable Properties-What Does It Mean To Be A Most Notable Property?” City of Columbia Community Development, Columbia, MO.
"Most Notable Properties Database." Prepared for Columbia, Missouri’s Historic Preservation Commission, by Historic Preservation Consultant Deb Sheals, https://www.como.gov/boards/historic-preservation-commission/most-notable-properties-program/. Accessed September 26, 2023.
