Columbia’s historic Kirklin home to be purchased by the city after council approval

Columbia’s city council has voted to approve the $91,000 purchase of the historic Kirklin home on Switzler, which is the home of one of Columbia’s most successful early 20^th century African-American businessmen.

City manager De’Carlon Seewood recommended approval of the purchase, describing the home at 107 Switzler as an important part of local African-American heritage. Mr. Seewood notes the property was the homestead of Henry Kirklin, a well-known horticulturalist in the early 20^th century. Mr. Kirklin is now recognized as the first African-American instructor at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Supporters say now is the time to act and conserve the property for future public use. Mr. Seewood says the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture and others raised $50,000 to purchase the home, which was built in 1871. Mr. Kirklin earned a medal at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis.