Columbia in Boone County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
African-American Heritage Trail
McKinney Building — Built in 1917 by Columbia black businessman Fred McKinney, the two-story building housed various businesses at street level. When completed, the building was heralded as "well finished" and praised for being among the first to offer public restrooms. The second floor was known as McKinney Hall. In the 1920s-1940s, the Hall was the "hottest spot in town for black musicians." Legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday performed there. Patrons entered the Hall by using a back stairway and paid 25-cents at the door. After McKinney's death, the Hall closed. In the 1950s, it was converted to a chicken hatchery with retail businesses located on the first floor, including Tony's Pizza and Foster's Key and Repair, which repaired bicycles for black children at no charge.
Erected 2019 by harp End Heritage Committee, Economic Development Inc., City of Columbia; sign courtesy of Commerce Bank.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Missouri, Columbia, African-American Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); The John William "Blind" Boone Home and the Second Missionary Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Tibbs Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad Yard (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named African-American Heritage Trail (about 400 feet away); Transportation (about 500 feet away); Early Settlement (about 500 feet away); Commerce (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.
Also see . . . African-American Heritage Trail complete, ready to teach. Columbia Missourian website entry (Submitted on April 23, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 429 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 26, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
