Ahead of Its Time: The Architectural Legacy of the Fredendall House
The house at 610 West Broadway was built circa 1921 by Abram William Fredendall (1871-1936), the owner of Columbia's first department store. A two-and-three-quarters Craftsman style brick house with side-facing gables, this house is almost 4,000 square feet. One of the largest and most historically intact houses in the West Broadway Historic District, it is also notable for an elegant setting - the tree-filled lot covers half of a large city block. The house was awarded the Historic Preservation Committee’s Most Notable Property designation in 2011.
The front door is in a one-story porch located on the east side of the home. The house is unbelievably well built according to former owner Mike Keevins who said Fredendall "had access to many things so the house was ahead of its time from the start. Fredendall incorporated a central vacuum, copper pipes, a servant's buzzer system, and even imported stained-glass windows from England."
There are large window-filled dormers in the front and back of the roof, and the gable ends of the house are filled with windows as well. The wide front façade features a central arched window with early or original leaded glass.
Abram’s personal life was as dynamic as his business endeavors. His first wife was Ada Grace Albright (1870-1912) and they were married in 1894. She developed tuberculosis and moved out to Denver with their son Edward in the hope of improving her health. Abram divorced Ada September 13, 1912, and she died in Denver one month later on November 13, 1912. Three weeks later on December 5, 1912, Abram married a second time to Winifred Perfect (1882-1960), a young woman who had gone to work in the millinery department of Fredendall's in September of 1912.
Henry Rollo Mueller (1893-1965) and his family lived in this house from around 1946 until the late 1970s. Mueller was apparently fond of the West Broadway neighborhood. He lived at 901 West Broadway for close to twenty years before buying this house, which is nearly twice the size of his first Broadway home. The neighborhood was especially convenient for him, as it was between two of his businesses. He owned Mueller's Florist, a longtime floral shop in downtown Columbia, as well as a greenhouse located just a few blocks away from his homes on West Broadway, at Ash and West Boulevard. Mueller has been credited with being one of the 15 founders of the now-famous FTD floral exchange service and he served twice as president of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce.
Today, the Fredendall House stands as a remarkable testament to Columbia’s booming early 20th-century craftsmanship and commercial success. Occupying half a city block, its grand presence and remarkably intact original features serve as a vital reminder of West Broadway’s rich architectural heritage—and why preserving these neighborhood landmarks remains so crucial for future generations.
(All images courtesy of Zillow)
Sources:
National Register of Historic Places Registration Form prepared by Deb Sheals for the West Broadway Historic District
Most Notable Properties Program, Historic Preservation Commission, City of Columbia
Inside Columbia magazine
Find-A-Grave
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.
