Columbia in Boone County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Sharp End
From the early 1900s to the 1960, the Sharp End business district was a city within a city for Columbia's black community. Stretching from Fifth to Sixth streets on both sides of Walnut Street. Sharp End was a robust business center with black-owned restaurants, meeting halls, barber shops, bars and more. In its prime, it was broadly known as the cultural heart of the black community, which included churches, schools, homes and social clubs. Sharp End was all business; children were not allowed there without parental supervision until they turned 18. Entering Sharp End without an adult was considered a rite of passage. Sharp End was a destination for visitors and the place for black adults to work, dine and socialize. It was demolished during urban renewal, which suddenly and dramatically removed the nucleus of this self-contained black business community.
Erected 2015 by Sharp End Heritage Committee, Economic Development Inc., City of Columbia.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • 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 1960.
Location. 38° 57.155′ N, 92° 19.871′
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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); Tibbs Building (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named African-American Heritage Trail (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The John William "Blind" Boone Home and the Second Missionary Baptist Church (about 500 feet away); Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad Depot (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named African-American Heritage Trail (about 600 feet away); Annie Fisher's House (approx. 0.2 miles away); African American Heritage Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.
Also see . . . Sharp End. Columbia Missourian website entry (Submitted on April 24, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,020 times since then and 393 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 26, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
