Southside duplex selected for Golden Hammer award

Owner expects several more years of renovation work

The home at 708 Washington was selected as the winner of July's Golden Hammer award. Madeleine Leroux/News Tribune
The home at 708 Washington was selected as the winner of July's Golden Hammer award. Madeleine Leroux/News Tribune

Chris Griggs thinks he has about five years left before he finishes renovating his property at 708 Washington St.

Or at least, he hopes it's only five more years.

But less than one year after purchasing the property, Griggs and his mother, Dorothy Walker, were named recipients of the July Golden Hammer Award for the work he's already done on the front porch and exterior of the home.

"I'm grateful to the owners for choosing this early 1900s American Foursquare in Old Munichburg to make their residence," said Laura Ward, Historic City of Jefferson Golden Hammer Award committee chair. "This is a very visible home in this neighborhood and was in great need of renovation. They have done a wonderful job which is very worthy of being recognized and celebrated. This is a perfect example of why Historic City of Jefferson began its Golden Hammer Award program."

Since purchasing the property in September, Griggs said he's been mostly focused on "putting out fires."

"The property had just been really neglected for years," Griggs said, noting the house had been abandoned for at least five years before he purchased it.

He's put in a new roof, new sidewalks and retaining wall, as well as all new windows on the first floor. Since mid-April, Griggs has been working on the front porch, a project completed earlier this month. Griggs said he thinks he needs about five more years to finish renovating the home, noting he will need to completely rebuild the second floor. But his next project on the property will be the back porch and yard.

"I can do a lot of the work myself," he said, noting it allows him to take his time and make sure each aspect is done right.

The Golden Hammer Award recognizes individuals in Jefferson City who are restoring historic structures at least 50 years old, preserving them for years to come and showing the pride the community has for its past.

The property at 708 Washington St. has a long history that can be traced back to the late 19th century and early 20th century. It was in 1899 that lot owners William J. and Lizzie Deimler sold the vacant space to Fred J. Hollerorth for $500. Hollerorth and his wife, Minnie S. Opel, married in 1904 and, by 1908, were listed as living at 708 Washington St., so it's likely the home was built sometime after the couple was married.

In the 1930 census, the home at 708 Washington is listed as being worth about $8,000. It's also listed as having a radio.

In 1944, Minnie, now a widow, sold the house to Carl Kelsey, who lived there until selling the property in 1954 to Bertha Reinke. It was while Kelsey owned the property that the home was converted into a duplex. In 1955, the home was again sold, this time to Raymond and Lorraine Roling. In 1960, the property was sold twice, ultimately landing under the ownership of Clarence and Clara Lee Watt. In 1994, Clara Lee Watt sold the property. It was sold three more times before T&B Rentals, LLC, sold it in fall 2018 to Chris Griggs.

Griggs said he decided to purchase the property because he wanted a place in downtown Jefferson City where both he and his mother could live. He also hopes to operate a business out of the property, though he noted it would need to be rezoned for that to happen. Griggs said he'd like to open a business that offers segue tours of the Capitol and the historic district.

The property being a duplex allows Griggs to continue living with his mother in a more separate environment. The arrangements allow the pair to help each other - Griggs is legally blind and can't drive at night. The property's location has easy access to public transportation with Griggs noting he is near three different bus stops.

"That was one of the big factors," he said.

Given all the work that still needs to be done, Griggs said he was particularly surprised to be selected for the Golden Hammer.

"I feel like I've done nothing so far," he said with a laugh. "It is really nice to be recognized. It's been a lot of hard work so far It's coming along, but there's a long way to go."