Treasures we have l
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Our historic buildings are a link to our past and a part of our heritage. The Historic City of Jefferson is committed to advocating for their preservation and restoration for future generations to enjoy. We believe that preservation and economic development can go hand-in-hand. Part of our mission is to communicate this concept to our city leaders and to the general public. Despite our best efforts HCJ has failed on many occasions to convince others of the value of saving our historic structures. Each loss robs Jefferson City of a part of its soul, its history and culture and is painfully felt. The following properties are just some those more painful loses in recent years. |
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The Cole County Jail |
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The destruction of the Cole County Jail (built 1842) on February 2, 1982 brought on a firestorm of protests from city preservations and gave birth to the preservation movement in Jefferson City. A plaza in front of the Jefferson City Police Department is where the old jail once sat. Some of the stone from this building is in the herb garden at our renovation project at 1102 E. McCarty |
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The Lohman House |
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This once stately house that occupied 933 Jefferson St. was built by the popular architect, Frank B. Miller in 1893 for local businessman, Louis Lohman. This is the same Lohman that built the Lohman Opera house on High Street and established a mercantile business at Lohman Landing on the river front, now a State Historic site. After its purchase by the Salvation Army, the Lohman Mansion fell into disrepair and was destroyed in 2003. A prayer garden and play ground now occupies its site with no sign of this historic home of one of our city's most influential citizens. |
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Viet's Restaurant |
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When it was built in 1941, Viet’s Restaurant was a roadhouse and gas station on the old Highway 50 West. It was on the outskirts of town those many years ago. With later editions it became a popular family-run restaurant. The original gas pumps remained on site through the years as a reminder of a bygone era. The structure was demolished in 2006. Today there is an undeveloped empty lot and For Sale sign where it once stood at the southwest corner of the intersection of Dix Road and Missouri Boulevard. |
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The Cook Mansion |
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Built in 1902 by Sam Baker Cook, also known as “Westwood”, this Prairie style home on W. Main Street overlooked the Missouri River valley. It was in the parlor of this Frank Lloyd Wright inspired home that local leaders negotiated to have Jefferson City remain the State’s Capitol City, after the second capitol burned in 1911. It was built by renowned architect, Frank B. Miller. | |
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Demolished in 2004, A circle drive for the Heisinger Home now occupies its site. |
The Bassman House |
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Built by Henry Kolkmeyer between 1907 and 1911, a German stone mason. He also worked on the stone at the Captiol and the Supreme Court buildings. Reportedly, stones from the old Price mansion that was torn down to make room for the Supreme court building were used to construct this house at 207 W. McCarty. |
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Demolished in 2007, A vacant lot now occupies its site. Read about HCJ's attempts to save this area.
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