This building on Smith Street got new paint in keeping with its historic character.

This building on Smith Street got a new look in keeping with its historic character.

As part of keeping Cuba, MO and the neighborhood where they do business looking good, sisters Virginia Watson (of Frisco’s Pub & Grill) and her sister Casilda Kekeisen hired Perry Barton Construction to paint the historic Smith Street building where Crawford County Office Solutions is located.

Perry Barton Construction gave the building its facelift.

Perry Barton Construction gave the formerly blue building its facelift. The color looks darker or lighter depending on whether the building is in sun or shade.

The sisters purchased and upgraded the building a few years ago. The upstairs has a modern apartment that is now rented by one of Frisco’s staff. But the sisters decided that they wanted a color and trim more in keeping with the historic area.

The Benjamin Moore Color Richmond Gold and the accompanying Montgomery White trim were chosen as part of the historical color palette adopted by Cuba’s Historic Preservation Commission and suggested by Marilyn Stewart, a tireless worker for Historic Uptown Cuba.

“We just wanted to do our part to clean up the neighborhood,” stated Virginia Watson on a recent afternoon at Frisco’s. Her sister, who also works at Frisco’s, nodded her head in agreement.

Virginia and her husband John Watson have a sentimental reason to keep the historic building looking good. At one time it was owned by John’s great-grandparents, Benjamin Franklin Askins Sr. and his wife Dona, who had a small grocery and meat shop there.  Fred Askins Sr. was also present the day that Senate candidate Harry Truman came to town in 1940 to make his speech on the steps of the Cuba Methodist Church, which is now Wallace House.

Later, his son Benjamin Franklin Askins Jr. and his wife Mary, John Watson’s grandparents, took over running the store. The Askins Jr. family lived above the store when John’s mom Pat Watson was a girl.

Benjamin Franklin Askin's Junior and his wife Mary behind the counter of the market. Chub Grayson stands in the front of the counter. His brother Dick would later become CEO of the Burlington Northern Railroad.

Benjamin Franklin Askin's Jr. and his wife Mary behind the counter of the market. Chub Grayson stands in the front of the counter. Chub's brother Dick would later become CEO of the Burlington Northern Railroad.

Viva Cuba salutes the businesses and owners of Cuba property who do their part to keep the historic nature of their buildings in tact and part of Cuba’s historic beautification.

For more preservation in Cuba, MO…and more to come…

See “Preservation in Cuba creates ageless beauty.”

See “Before and after images tell the tale of restoration in Cuba, MO.”

See “If this corner could talk…Washington Street (route 66) & Smith Street.”

See “Route 66 Historic Landmark Wagon Wheel Motel enters decade with updates and renewal.”