Columbia in Boone County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Annie Fisher's House
African-American Heritage Trail
Annie Fisher (1867-1938) was heralded nationally for her business success. One of 11 children born in present-day Columbia to former slaves Robert and Charlotte Knowles, Annie worked as a child rocking cradles for white families. She learned to cook in their kitchens and became a legendary caterer with her own business. Her services were in high demand and she reportedly owned 1,000 place settings of china, crystal and cutlery. She became famous for her "beaten biscuits," which she sold locally and by mail for about 15 cents a dozen. Annie invested her profits in her business and real estate. By the 1920s, she owned 18 rental houses and her family farm, and built two mansions that rivaled any home in Columbia. Her beautifully appointed 14-room brick mansion at 608 Park Avenue was demolished in the 1960s during Urban Renewal. Her second mansion was an elegant house located on Old Highway 63, where she operated a popular "chicken-dinner" restaurant. Annie put her only child, Lucille, through college. Annie Fisher died a wealthy woman, with a newspaper reporting she was a "specialist in two kinds of dough—the kind that makes beaten biscuits and the kind that swells a bank account."
Erected 2018 by Sharp End Heritage Committee, Economic Development Inc., City of Columbia; signage courtesy of
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Women. In addition, it is included in the Missouri, Columbia, African-American Heritage Trail series list.
Location. 38° 57.27′ N, 92° 19.786′ W. Marker is in Columbia, Missouri, in Boone County. Marker is at the intersection of Park Avenue and North 7th Street, on the right when traveling east on Park Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 616 Park Ave, Columbia MO 65201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. African-American Heritage Trail (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named African-American Heritage Trail (about 600 feet away); Sharp End (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named African-American Heritage Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); African American Heritage Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tibbs Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Wynna Faye Tapp-Elbert Memorial Amphitheater (approx. 0.2 miles away); In Loving Memory of Mrs. Beulah Ralph (approx. ¼ mile 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 447 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 26, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
