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History
The Elkins House is one of the last of an original row of stately 19th-century houses that once lined North Tenth Street between Columbia College and the central business district. It was built in 1882 for Samuel H. and Isabel Smith Elkins and stayed in their family for close to half a century.
The Elkinses chose the Italianate style, popular from the 1840s to the mid-1880s, but were more adventurous a few years later when they added the distinctive front porch. Its sinuous lines are typical of the Art Nouveau style popular around the turn of the 20th century.
Later a boarding house and then apartments, the house was rehabilitated in the 1990s and individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
The Elkins House
A classic Italianate home with a one-of-a-kind Art Nouveau porch. Tap either photo to see it larger.
Nearly 150 Years on Tenth Street
- 1882
Built for the Elkins family
Samuel H. and Isabel Smith Elkins build a large Italianate house on a row of stately homes linking Columbia College and downtown. Mr. Elkins was a venture capitalist who later served as Columbia’s postmaster.
- By 1908
An adventurous porch
A new front porch with sinuous Art Nouveau lines is added, appearing on the 1908 Sanborn map.
- 1925
A boarding house
After nearly half a century in the family, Isabel Elkins sells to C. F. and Madge Edmonston, who run a boarding house, likely for Columbia College students.
- 1960s
Apartments
The house changes hands again and is divided into several apartments.
- 1990s
A first rehabilitation
The Koonse and Fiegel families buy the house, repair important exterior features and reverse inappropriate interior changes.
- 1996
National Register
Individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 2001
Most Notable
Named a Most Notable Historic Property by the Columbia Historic Preservation Commission.
- 2017
Our project
Alley A Realty completes its work on the Elkins House, one of the last of the original 19th-century homes on North Tenth Street.
History courtesy of Deb Sheals, City of Columbia Map Project inventory form for the Columbia Historic Preservation Commission (2011), drawn from the building’s National Register nomination.
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