Cape Girardeau endangered buildings list grows

The number of properties added to the Endangered Buildings list this year nearly doubled from last year's numbers, largely thanks to the number of first-time submissions for several buildings.

From former storefronts to personal homes, the buildings on the list vary in history, purpose and level of deterioration.

"We got a lot of new [submissions] that no one has ever thought of before," said city planner Ryan Shrimplin. He particularly noted the number of rural, one-room schoolhouses featured among the 21 properties on this year's list.

The list is created based on public submissions vetted by the city of Cape Girardeau's Historic Preservation Commission. The group formally approved the 2015 list at its Wednesday night meeting.

Among the new submissions are Marquette School, 2815 S. Sprigg St., and Juden School, 900 W. Cape Rock Drive.

Marquette served as a two-room schoolhouse from 1924 to 1968 and was purchased less than 10 years later by the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and served as its off-campus lodge for many years. Because of poor conditions and high maintenance costs, the building was sold in 2013.

A former fraternity member purchased the property and hoped to repair it, but said at the time those plans hinged on the building being named to the National Register of Historic Places and therefore eligible for certain tax credits.

Juden School was built in 1854 and was in service until 1960. The building is vulnerable to flooding and the roof needs to be replaced, according to the property submission on the endangered properties list. The document also points out that historic schoolhouses are becoming fewer as they fall into disrepair and are torn down to make room for other development.

Since the endangered properties list was created in 2012, demolition has been a significant force in the list's size and shape. Quite a few properties earn a spot because they are slated for demolition. The Ochs-Shivelbine House at 1409 N. Sprigg St. made its first appearance on the list this year for that very reason.

Southeast Missouri State University's plans for a new Greek housing development in the area eliminate the need to continue using the property for fraternity housing needs. The historic Greystone Estate nearby already has been torn down and demolition of the Shivelbine House is pending. Shrimplin said the commission received several submissions for Greystone.

At 412 Asher St., the small brick house built in the Missouri German Vernacular style -- once prevalent in Cape Girardeau -- also is on the list. Among the concerns is the home's vacancy, deterioration and proximity to the university's expanding River Campus.

On the list of properties removed from the list is the log cabin at 818 N. Fountain St., which was hidden for many years under clapboard siding. The original portion of the house was built around 1860.

The property was condemned by the city in 2011. A group of volunteers organized in hopes of saving it, but little progress was realized and the city recently moved forward with demolition.

Two buildings on last year's watch list -- meaning several factors left them on the verge of becoming endangered -- were removed this year, marking a win for historic preservation in the city. The Buckner-Ragsdale Building, 132 N. Main St., recently was purchased with plans for a new microbrewery and restaurant. A former one-room brick schoolhouse, Kage School, 3110 Kage Road, was sold last year, rehabilitated and converted into a two-bedroom guesthouse.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

2815 S. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

900 W. Cape Rock Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

1409 N. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

412 Asher St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

818 N. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

132 N. Main St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

3110 Kage Road, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

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2015 Endangered Buildings List

• Broadway Theater - 805 Broadway
• Esquire Theater - 824 Broadway
• Fort D Blockhouse - 920 Fort Street
• Lorimier Apartments - 142-148 S. Lorimier St
• P.H. Dempsey Buildings - 127 N. Water St.
• Woolworth*'s Store - 1 N. Main St.
• 635 Good Hope St.
• 127 S. Lorimier St.
• 112-114 N. Main St.
• 230 N. Middle St.
• 412 Asher St.
• Ochs-Shivelbine House - 1409 N. Sprigg St.
• Marquette School - 2815 S. Sprigg St.
• Juden School - 900 W. Cape Rock Drive
• 444 Washington Ave.
• 14 S. Lorimier St.
• 524 William St.
• 1118 Bloomfield Road
• 328 Spanish St
• 261 Good Hope St.
• 213 S. Middle St.

Watch list

• Reynolds House - 623 N. Main St.