Broadway Street home receives Southside Pride Award

Sam Wells, left, and Tim Wells display their Southside Pride Appearance Award and unique large dachshund yard sign in front of the home at 908 Broadway St.
Sam Wells, left, and Tim Wells display their Southside Pride Appearance Award and unique large dachshund yard sign in front of the home at 908 Broadway St.

The Southside Pride Appearance Award for spring 2020 has been given to the Wells family at 908 Broadway St.

The award is given quarterly by the Old Munichburg Association to recognize businesses and homeowners whose properties enhance the beauty and appearance of Jefferson City's historic Southside neighborhood.

The home at 908 Broadway St. was likely built in the early 1840s by a German family who was key in the establishment of Old Munichburg, and they were some of the first German-speaking residents to reside in the neighborhood, according to history provided by current owner Sam Wells. During the Great Depression, the home was split into rental apartments and remained that way until the Wells family purchased it in 2008.

"Since then, we have done everything we can to return the home to a single-family dwelling," Wells wrote in the history of the property. "The postal service, utility companies and even the Census takers still believe it is an apartment building."

The Wells family received the award in a closed ceremony due to public health concerns. Award winners receive a unique large dachshund yard sign, as well as $25 in "Munichburg Bucks" that can be used at participating Southside businesses. The yard sign was designed by Matt Holland, of Madison Street Realty, which sponsors the award.

"We appreciate their dedication to being excellent stewards of this historic home and contributing to the beauty of our historic Southside neighborhood," Laura Ward, of the Old Munichburg Association, said.

To be eligible for the award, the property must be located within the boundaries of the historic Southside neighborhood, and the property owner must agree to display the yard sign during the month of the award. As more are awarded, another requirement will be that the property cannot have received an award the previous year in the same category.

The association covers the Old Munichburg area, which is 14 blocks located south of U.S. 50, west of Monroe and Poplar streets, north of Franklin Street and east of U.S. 54 West, but it also extends farther into the city's south side, going east to Jackson Street, south to Stadium Boulevard and west to Myrtle Street.

Nominations are submitted by the Appearance Award Committee to the Old Munichburg Association Board for approval.