Dianna Borsi O'Brien, freelance writer

As a freelance writer, I love writing about historic homes and even more, I love making new discoveries. Combine the two and you’ve got this article about the historic home at 121 West Boulevard in Columbia, Missouri.

For years, newspaper and magazine articles have proclaimed this house was built by Arch McHarg from oaks on the lot. And each update of changes in ownership repeated that information. But when I started to do the research, I found that information couldn’t actually be proved. I researched the records for the property and found that Arch and his wife Blanche didn’t own the house or the lot until 1935, long after the log cabin had been built in 1911, making the possibility that Arch had brandished an ax to build the log cabin unlikely. However, the records indicate the McHargs were responsible for transforming the humble log cabin into the present stone and wood siding cottage.

I also learned that while Herb and Betty Brown owned the house for decades, prior to their ownership, a fellow journalist lived there, Nadine Coleman, and she’s the origins of the gardens the Browns kept so immaculate and fresh.

Interested in reading more? Click on this link: The Hansel and Gretel House, often called the fairy-tale cottage or the Gingerbread house is surrounded by gardens, making it a cozy sight. But inside the house is a log cabin, making it a touch stone to Columbia’s pioneer past. This article was published in Missouri Life magazine.

Have you written any articles that disproved any often repeated facts? Are there any historic homes that you know harbor hidden history? I’d love to hear your take on updating history.