Columbia in Boone County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Tibbs Building
African American Heritage Trail
Tibbs Building — Built about 1940 at 17/19 Fifth St., the building housed Vess Bottling Co. Around 1960, Urban Renewal began displacing numerous black-owned businesses nearby. One of few to escape demolition, the building was purchased in 1962 by Edward "Dick" Tibbs, a black businessman (pictured). Tibbs rented to black-owned businesses, including Ballenger's Barber Shop (Ernest Ballenger Jr.), Esquire Barbershop (Larry Monroe) and Green Funeral Home (Sylvester Thornton) until about 1980. Tibbs owned and leased other properties, co-owned Central Marketing and Green Tree Tavern with Alvin Coleman in the 1930s-40s and operated Deluxe Billiards Hall in the 1950s. In 2018, the building remained in the Tibbs family and is a rare link to the Columbia history of 20th-century black commerce.
Erected 2019 by Sharp End Heritage Committee, Economic Development Inc., City of Columbia; signage courtesy of Columbia Chamber of Commerce & Fair Missouri Foundation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • 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 1940.
Location. 38° 57.156′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. African-American Heritage Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Sharp End (within shouting distance of this marker); The John William "Blind" Boone Home and the Second Missionary Baptist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named African-American Heritage Trail (about 300 feet away); Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad Depot (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named African-American Heritage Trail (about 600 feet away); Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad Yard (about 800 feet away); African American Heritage Trail (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 234 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 26, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
