East Walnut Study
“A study of houses on East Walnut may prove to be of historical significance, Betty Jane Turner said today.
“Mrs. Turner, Chairman of the city’s Historical Site Board, said the Center for Archaeological Research at Southwest Missouri State University is preparing a study of homes on East Walnut. The study should be completed by April 30, she said. ‘These houses they are investigating due to their age may be potentially significant,’ Mrs. Turner said. ‘Just because they are old doesn’t make them significant. They are called potentially significant until they have been determined to be so.’
“Mrs. Turner said the houses being study[sic] lie on the north side of Walnut between Brougham and Dolli son, plus a small house on the northeast corner of Dolli son and Walnut, and the Baldwin house, 913 E. Walnut. Also, houses on Dollison between Hammons Center and Walnut are part of the project.”
“The study involves three phases, Mrs. Turner said. One is survey reconnaissance, the second is an assessment of significance and the third is the mitigating project on cultural resources or whether to move or leave a particular structure.
“Because federal funds are involved in acquiring some of the property for the proposed University Plaza convention center, an intensive study is being conducted, Mrs. Turner said. The city has applied for a $5 million Urban Development Action Grant, which would be used to acquire property on Walnut and Dollison for University Plaza Convention Center.
“She said the process is to protect cultural resources according to federal law and the three stages of investigation comply with the law for protection.
“However, once the study has been completed the local board has no authority to preserve the houses, she said.
“‘Ultimately the decision lies with the historic preservation program in Jefferson City,’ Mrs. Turner said. ‘The historic preservation officer makes a decision if the houses should be studied further or are eligible for the national register and should be preserved.’
“This officer acts on recommendations made by people who do the investigation, she said, and tries to take into consideration what the community wants and needs. ‘They do have the ultimate authority.’
“Some of the houses, like the Sorosis Clubhouse, might be moved, Mrs. Turner said, if the proposal is compatible.
“Members of the board met Monday to look for ways to keep the city’s historic structures from being destroyed.
“The issue was brought up following the recent destruction of the Shepard house at 1503 N. Benton. Due to clerical errors, a wrecking permit was issued to Cox Medical Center to demolish the structure, which was on the city’s list of historic sites.
“‘We want to ensure that this does not happen again,’ Mrs. Turner said. ‘We hope to publish an updated list so the public will know what the historic sites are and help protect them.’
The photograph above of the Baldwin house at 913 E. Walnut was taken in the 1970's as part of the Springfield, Mo. Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority. This record collection is in the& Local History Archives at the Library Center. The Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority is an appointed board, established to redevelop blighted areas in Springfield.
Find this article at