Golden Hammer award winner emphasizes historic preservation in JC

<p>810 E. Capitol before the renovation by Jim and Deborah Kreider. Submitted photo</p>

810 E. Capitol before the renovation by Jim and Deborah Kreider. Submitted photo

Celebrating the restoration of one of East Capitol Avenue's historic homes, the Historic City of Jefferson gave its July Golden Hammer Award to the owners of 810 E. Capitol Ave.

The house was most likely built between 1908-09 by James T. Engelbrecht, who bought the property in September 1907 from John H. and Ellen C. Edwards. By the 1910 U.S. Census, Englebrecht and his wife, Emma, were living at the house at 810 E. Capitol.

In 1923, the home was sold to George Fifer, proprietor and manager of the Jefferson Hotel at the time. He sold the hotel in 1925 and became president of the Jefferson City Produce Company. That same year, he sold the house on Capitol Avenue to Myrtle Vaughan, who had previously been living at 730 E. High St. with her widowed mother, Mary, and her sister, Lorna. Though Myrtle Vaughan's name was the sole name listed on the deed at the time of purchase, the 1929 city directory and the 1930 U.S. Census show her mother, Mary, as the owner, which may indicate that she provided much of the money for the down payment. At the time of the 1930 U.S. Census, the house is worth $6,000.

By 1943, when Mary Vaughan dies, a second unit has been made in the house and Theo and Elsie Davis are listed as living in 810 A.

After owning and living in the house for more than 60 years, Myrtle Vaughan sells the house in December 1989, when she is 92 years old, to Donald Jerry Schrimpf, Steven Schrimpf and Gregory Schrimpf. Nearly 10 years later, the Schrimpfs sell the home to Deborah Randolph, who sold the property in December 2018 to Jim and Deborah Kreider.

Jim Kreider said he's always been a big supporter of the East Capitol Avenue area. Even though he lived in Nixa, Kreider said he worked in Jefferson City three to four days a week and had wanted a home in the area for a long time.

"It was kind of a dream for me," he said. "I love it."

Kreider said the renovation was done quickly, with work starting very soon after the purchase in December 2018 and finishing in March the following year.

"Time is money," he said with a chuckle.

Kreider said one huge benefit was the amount of local contractors who have a lot of expertise on preserving a historic home.

Kreider, who is also a board member on Historic City of Jefferson, said he was honored by the award, emphasizing his own support of the preservation of historic homes. He said Jefferson City has great historic value and there are many homes that could become jewels with a little work and investment. It feels good to know he actually preserved a home, Kreider said.