Columbia in Boone County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

African-American Heritage Trail

Doby Flats / Wiggins Medical Clinic / Community Shoe Shop / McQuitty's Barber Shop Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 21, 2021

1. Doby Flats / Wiggins Medical Clinic / Community Shoe Shop / McQuitty's Barber Shop Marker

Inscription. Doby Flats—Stephen Doby, born on a S. Carolina plantation in 1854, came to Columbia about 1915. He built/owned Doby Flats (residential buildings) nearby and other houses. Wiggins Medical Clinic—Doby's daughter Ruth, a legendary teacher at Douglass School, married Dr. Roland Wiggins in 1951. He taught and coached sports at Douglass and, after earning two master's degrees, became the Missouri State Superintendent of Negro Schools (1937). He received a medical degree from Meharry Medical School (1947) and was a Fulbright Scholar in France. Circa 1954, he opened a medical practice in their home, 3rd and Ash. He built a medical office at 115 N. Providence after Urban Renewal, providing medical care for blacks for 30+ years. The Community Shoe Shop (circa 1940s) and McQuitty's Barber Shop (circa 1930-1961) operated nearby. They were owned by Hildred Richardson and Tom McQuitty respectively.

Erected 2019 by Sharp End Heritage Committee, Economic Development Inc., City of Columbia; sign courtesy of Robert & Barbara Churchill Family.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans

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• Education • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Columbia's African-American Heritage Trail, Missouri, and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 38° 57.228′ N, 92° 20.059′ W. Marker is in Columbia, Missouri, in Boone County. It is at the intersection of North Providence Road (State Highway 163) and East Ash Street, on the left when traveling north on North Providence Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 203 N Providence Rd, Columbia MO 65203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Little Dixie

and in the Missouri River Corridor.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 21, 2021

2. Doby Flats / Wiggins Medical Clinic / Community Shoe Shop / McQuitty's Barber Shop Marker

of this marker: African American Heritage Trail (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); In Loving Memory of Mrs. Beulah Ralph (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named African-American Heritage Trail (about 700 feet away); The John William "Blind" Boone Home and the Second Missionary Baptist Church (about 700 feet away); Tibbs Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named African-American Heritage Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sharp End (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named African-American Heritage Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 537 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 26, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.