North Village Arts District facts for kids
The North Village Arts District is a lively neighborhood in Columbia, Missouri. It's a special area known for its many art galleries and visual arts. You can find it on the northeast side of Downtown Columbia.
This district is also a fun place to visit! It has lots of restaurants, food trucks, shops, and theaters. You can even find a distillery there. For music lovers, Rose Music Hall is a popular spot. There are also several dance studios, like the Missouri Contemporary Ballet. Every month, the district hosts a cool event called "First Fridays," where art galleries open their doors for everyone to explore.
The North Village Arts District has a rich history. Wabash Station, a beautifully restored old train station, is now the main hub for Columbia Public Transit. This station used to be part of the Columbia Terminal Railroad, which brought people and goods into Columbia many years ago. The railroad was a big reason why this area became industrial, with lots of warehouses. Today, many businesses in the district are located inside these renovated old buildings, giving the area a unique feel.
Historic Buildings and Places
The North Village Arts District is home to several buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites!
Some of these special buildings include:
- Wabash Station
- The Boone County Courthouse
- The Columbia National Guard Armory
- The Elkins House
- First Christian Church
- The McCain Furniture Store
The district also includes parts of two larger historic areas: the Downtown Columbia Historic District and the North Ninth Street Historic District. Plus, it's right next to Stephens College and Columbia College.
Future Plans for the Ameren Lot
In the past, a company called Columbia Gas Works operated a plant at the corner of Ash and Orr streets. This plant made gas from coal. Later, the company was bought by Union Electric Company (now called Ameren), and they stopped making gas there in 1932.
Because of the old gas-making process, some of the soil and groundwater in the area had chemicals that needed to be cleaned up. Ameren has been working to remove these old chemicals from the ground. The land is currently fenced off and not being used.
As of 2019, the city of Columbia is thinking about buying this land from Ameren. Their idea is to turn it into a public park for everyone to enjoy. This would be a great way to use the space and add more green areas to the district!
