311 North Tenth Street
This iconic brick building at 311 N. 10th Street—currently known as Columbia College’s "Columbia House"—is officially on the auction block, with online bidding closing on June 24, 2026. This building is a true neighborhood crown jewel with layers of local history:
Photo courtesy of Atterbury Auction and Realty Company website.
Built in 1911 for Columbia merchant Clifford W. Martin and his wife, this is a beautiful example of a Georgian-influenced American Foursquare. Its grand brick masonry, perfect front symmetry, and side porte-cochère (the carriage porch) reflected the success of Columbia’s early 20th-century business owners. The Martin family lived in this house until 1942 when he was nearly 86 years old.
Between 1943 and 1964, the Walter Edward Sparks family lived in this house. Dr. Sparks was a graduate of Kirksville State Teachers College and Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. He practiced in Columbia, Missouri for 34 years. Local residents recall that his office and patient waiting rooms were on the first floor and the family lived upstairs.
After 1964, Robert Eugene ‘Gene’ Garrett owned the house until 1971. He was the president of an organization called PAST, which stood for Preservation and Adaptation of Structural Tradition. In 1966, the Columbia Tribute noted that Mrs. Garrett was a member of the Columbia Art League, had studied art under Sidney Larson at Columbia College, and was supervising a beginning art class at the Heritage Nursing Home.
Photo courtesy of the Columbia Missourian, October 14th, 1971 edition.
An advertisement in the July 31, 1970, Columbia Missourian described the house as, “Well built older brick home, 311 Christian College Avenue, close in location & set up for income possibilities.”
After a devastating fire destroyed her original studio at 23 South 10th Street in February 1971, well-known local photographer Julie Moore moved her business here that July. She beautifully revived the former residence, earning a commendation from the Heimweg Garden Club in October 1971 for her gorgeous landscaping.
The home was used for an attorney office in the 1980s and 1990s and advertisements can be found for attorney Karen Kraus Bill and Russell Still listing the home as their office.
Columbia College officially designated and opened it as the "Columbia House" in 1999, specifically to house campus support programs like TRiO Student Support Services, which operated out of those rooms for over two decades until the college recently consolidated its campus footprint and moved them to the main academic halls.
Columbia College is auctioning this property (along with 8 others on N. 8th and Lyon Streets) through the Atterberry Auction & Real Estate Company. Because it is zoned M-N (Mixed-Use Neighborhood), it allows for intensive multi-family or student housing conversion. Hopefully whoever buys this 5,000 sq. ft. landmark respects its historic symmetry, architectural character, and deep roots in the community fabric of North Central Columbia. Additional photos of the home can be seen at the Atterberry Auction & Real
Sources:
Atterbury Auction Estate Company website: https://www.atterberryauction.com/auction/real-estate-062426-82000/details
Boone County Recorder of Deeds records for 311 N. Tenth Street
Historical Columbia City Directories
Sanborn Insurance Maps
State Historical Society of Missouri
Newspapers.com
Staff writers. “Columbia women elected.” Columbia Missourian, January 29, 1913. Page 1. Viewed 6/16/2026.
Staff writers. “Fall injures Clifford Martin.” Columbia Daily Tribune, June 18, 1942. Page 3. Viewed 6/16/2026.
Staff writers. “Begin art classes for Heritage residents.” Columbia Daily Tribune, February 2, 1966. Page 6. Viewed 6/16/2026.
Advertisement. Columbia Missourian, July 31, 1970, page 14. Viewed 6/16/2026.
Bob M. Gassaway, Tribune staff writer. “Where do you start? Recovery begins as smoke billows.” Columbia Daily Tribune, February 1, 1971. Page 1.
Staff writers. “Fire of the century guts businesses.” Columbia Daily Tribune, February 1, 1971. Page 1.
Staff writers. “Studio says loss high in negatives.” Columbia Missourian, February 2, 1971. Page 1. Viewed 6/16/2026.
Staff writers. “Garden club commends Julie’s.” Columbia Missourian, October 14, 1971. Page 5. Viewed 6/16/2026.
Columbia Daily Tribune, March 31, 1988. Page 18. Viewed 6/16/2026.
Columbia Missourian, May 31, 1991. Page 17. Viewed 6/16/2026.
Nathalie Touchet. “Columbia College is auctioning off nine properties downtown.” Columbia Missourian, June 13, 2026. Viewed 6/16/2026. https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/higher_education/columbia-college-is-auctioning-off-nine-properties-downtown/article_7fc3b535-88c7-4fe2-84f8-6e1968729027.html
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. Preserving 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.
