BeforeAfterDrag across the photo to compare, or tap Before or After.
History
The Samuel H. and Isabel Smith Elkins House was built around 1882 on a large lot just north of what were then Columbia’s city limits, on Christian College Avenue, now Tenth Street, a wide street that linked downtown with Christian College, now Columbia College. It is one of the last of a row of stately homes that once lined both sides of the block.
Samuel Elkins was a venture capitalist who later became Columbia’s postmaster. The family chose the Italianate style: two stories of red brick on a thick limestone foundation, tall narrow windows under keystone arches, bay windows on both sides and wide eaves with pairs of ornate brackets. Inside were a side-hall plan, eleven-foot ceilings, cast iron fireplaces, an oak staircase with a fluted octagonal newel post and bronze door hardware with an Egyptian flair.
Sometime before 1908 the Elkinses added a brick wing at the back and replaced the small front stoop with the full-width porch that defines the house today. Its sweeping lines, lattice and bold scroll work give it the feel of the Art Nouveau style.
Samuel Elkins died in 1909, and Isabel sold the house in 1925. It became a boarding house in the 1930s and apartments in 1969, then was rehabilitated beginning in 1995, when the apartment walls came out of the original rooms and most of the original woodwork, floors, fireplaces and hardware were found intact. The house was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996 as a fine example of the Italianate style.
The Elkins House
A classic Italianate home with a one-of-a-kind Art Nouveau porch. Tap either photo to see it larger.
Nearly 150 Years on Tenth Street
- 1882
Built for the Elkins family
Samuel H. and Isabel Smith Elkins build a large Italianate house on a row of stately homes linking Columbia College and downtown. Mr. Elkins was a venture capitalist who later served as Columbia’s postmaster.
- By 1908
An adventurous porch
A new front porch with sinuous Art Nouveau lines is added, appearing on the 1908 Sanborn map.
- 1925
A boarding house
After nearly half a century in the family, Isabel Elkins sells to C. F. and Madge Edmonston, who run a boarding house, likely for Columbia College students.
- 1960s
Apartments
The house changes hands again and is divided into several apartments.
- 1990s
A first rehabilitation
The Koonse and Fiegel families buy the house, repair important exterior features and reverse inappropriate interior changes.
- 1996
National Register
Individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 2001
Most Notable
Named a Most Notable Historic Property by the Columbia Historic Preservation Commission.
- 2017
Our project
Alley A Realty completes its work on the Elkins House, one of the last of the original 19th-century homes on North Tenth Street.
History courtesy of Deb Sheals, City of Columbia Map Project inventory form for the Columbia Historic Preservation Commission (2011), drawn from the building’s National Register nomination.
Back to Its Best
Fresh paint, restored cornice brackets and porch scroll work, a renovated garage and new landscaping. Tap any photo to see it larger.
Original Details, Refinished
The parlor arch, staircase, fireplaces and much of the original woodwork survive, now with refinished floors and new kitchens and baths. Tap any photo to see it larger.
Want to Be Part of the Next One?
See what's available now, or tell us what kind of space you need.