Photo byunknown HABS photographer, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Historic Greenwood, which is also called Greenwood Heights, is located at 3005 Mexico Gravel Road in Columbia, Missouri. On January 15, 1979, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Greenwood is a two-story red brick farmhouse that was constructed around 1839. That was 185 years ago! It's understandable to learn it's one of the oldest remaining buildings in Boone County. When it was nominated for the National Register, it was a private residence and antique shop.

According to the Redfin real estate website, the property was last sold in 2002. The original section of the house was built in 1827 by an innkeeper named Edward Champlin. It consisted of two rooms. Later in 1836, five rooms and a hall were added by Walter Raleigh Lenoir (1786-1844). Lenoir was obviously an early pioneer.

Greenwood is in a somewhat secluded area behind some trees which interestingly predate the house.

Walter R. Lenoir

In 1833, William A. Lenoir headed west from North Carolina. He was searching for a settlement area for Walter Lenoir who was his uncle. In 1815, Walter married Mary Elvira "Polly" Bouchelle. Three years later, Mary died at age 21-22. They had two children.

Later, Walter married Mary's sister, Sarah Evalina Bouchelle. They had six children. In 1834, Walter and his family and 23 slaves set out for Missouri.

Once settled, Lenoir began farming with the help of his slaves who likely helped to construct the extensive house addition also.

Walter wasn't very social in Columbia. He kept to himself, his farming, and educating his children. He also wasn't as involved in local politics like he was in North Carolina. The Lenoir children achieved social prominence.

Lenoir gave $100, a large donation for the time, to establish the University of Missouri in 1839. (Source.)

Two sons became doctors. One of them, Dr. Walter T. Lenoir, was a trustee for the University of Missouri and Christan College.

Walter A. Lenoir died in 1844 at age 58. Sarah continued to live at Greenwood. The farming business continued with the help of son, Slater. Sarah died in the summer of 1875 at age 76. Several years after her death, the house was sold. Their property contained 880 acres.

There were a few owners of the property. By April 1933, William and Margaret Fuqua purchased the house and land, which had decreased to 144 acres by then. They owned Greenwood for around 36 years.

The Lenoir family papers were donated to the State Historic Society of Missouri. Walter's granddaughter, Lavinia Bradford “Miss Lavinia” Lenoir Nifong, was married to Dr. Frank Gosney Nifong. Their papers are included in the collection which is open to the public. There is much history for that era to be learned in the collection.

The Nifongs lived in the house known as Maplewood which was built by Slater Lenoir. Maplewood is another legacy in Columbia.

The Greenwood house was reported on by The Columbia Tribune as one of the six historic gems in Columbia.

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