Leed's Shoe Company was a downtown anchor for more than 60 years. The three-story brick building at 220 E. High St. has stood more than twice that long.
Recent restoration to the property has earned it the July Golden Hammer award.
In February 2015, the cement-plaster front facade crumbled to the sidewalk, exposing the original red brick. That was an unexpected consequence of the major renovation work that allowed the Jefferson City Museum of Modern Art to move in that fall.
Moisture and lack of maintenance had taken their toll on the structure built in the 1860s.
Owner Richard Howerton, with the help of Larry Berry Construction, removed more than 14 dumpsters full of trash and rotten lumber.
The roof alone was in a severe state. Four distinct roof structures had been built one on top of the other, Howerton said.
The roof was sagging from the weight, held up by stilts indoors, he said. Howerton was told one heavy snow would have collapsed the entire building in on itself, taking the attached building next door with it.
"It was a job to get that down; it had to be chopped with an axe," Howerton said.
Despite its wayward frame, 220 E. High St. is a great location for a museum, he said. His hope is to especially reach visiting school children from around the state when they come to the Capitol and Governor's Mansion.
The Historic City of Jefferson was excited to see the "historical downtown gem" restored, committee chairman Laura Ward said.
"It was in a state of disrepair and close to being lost," she said. "The architecture and history of our downtown buildings also contribute to its beauty and attraction."
Ward noted heritage tourism is a growing piece of the tourism industry. Such examples of historic preservation creates economic benefits by attracting visitors, she said.
"And, for those who call the City of Jefferson their home, historic buildings are reminders of a city's culture and complexity," Ward said.
Before the Civil War, East High Street past Madison Street held many residences.
Researcher Deborah Goldammer said she believes Frederick and Christina Friese built the existing building in 1868 after buying the lot from John and Catherine Edwards, who had owned the land for more than 25 years.
The Frieses sold a few years later to Adam Hoefer with the agreement they would be allowed to live out their lives there, Goldammer said.
By the 1880s, the Courtright family lived there and likely operated a tavern, as Martin was listed as a barkeeper.
The Lawrence Wagner Grocery operated there in the 1890s until George Bassman and John Sommerer bought it in 1894 to expand their retail to china, glassware and sporting goods.
The Jefferson City Light Heat and Power offices were at 220 E. High St. by 1908.
Hoeffer sold in 1909 to Henry Lartonoix, who had to win two lawsuits to secure ownership, Goldammer said. The first was because no proof of sale could be found for the initial sale from Beverly Ramsey, who bought it from the state in 1826. The second was the result of the unusual way Hoefer acquired the property from the Frieses.
That allowed Lartonoix to sell to Hub Realty Investment Co., where shareholders included Hugh Stephens.
The Jefferson City Bridge and Transit Co. joined the power offices there in 1915.
Hendrix and Hendrix Chiropractors moved in to 220-A in 1921 and stayed 30 years. Charles and Stella Hendrix lived there from 1929-51.
On the other side, Wellman's Ladies Garment Shop replaced the power company in 1921, and in 1929, Piggly-Wiggly, later Kroger, replaced Wellman's.
Stephens received ownership of the property in 1951 after the Hub Realty dissolved.
Lee's Shoes operated from 1952-78, followed by Leed's Shoe Store from 1979-2014, when Lester Cohen and Julius Cohen bought the property after Stephens' death.
Howerton bought 220 E. High St. from the Cohens.