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Joe Knight Building Awarded Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Subgrant
Lebanon, MO – The Joe Knight Building, a landmark in downtown Lebanon, is one of thirteen
properties in Missouri to receive a Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Subgrant from Missouri
Main Street Connection (MMSC) and the National Park Service. Built in 1948 and located at the
corner of Commercial and Madison, this building has been a pillar of the community, earning a
spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005 for its Streamline Moderne architecture.
The building, largely unchanged since its days as Joe Knight’s pharmacy, currently houses the
popular local restaurant, Mel’s on Madison.
Owners Robert and Melissa Walker have been awarded $50,000 to begin a multi-phase project
addressing the building’s aging infrastructure. This vital funding will ensure the structural
integrity and preservation of the building’s historic features, including replacing the roof and
repairing windows and broken glass blocks.
“The Joe Knight Building is a beacon of Lebanon’s heritage and community spirit,” said Robert
Walker. “This project is about revitalizing the heart of Downtown Lebanon, preserving its rich
history, and fostering economic growth within the Main Street District.”
The Joe Knight Building not only contributes to the historic charm of downtown Lebanon but
also represents the community’s dedication to preserving its rich heritage. The rehabilitation
project will enhance the safety and comfort of its occupants and visitors, ensuring the building
remains a significant and functional part of the downtown area. Once the work is completed, the
building will continue to be a magnificent asset to Lebanon, meeting contemporary standards of
safety and comfort while preserving its historic identity.
“The Joe Knight Building is the jewel of downtown Lebanon and, since the loss of the Allen
Building, it is the only downtown structure on the National Register of Historic Places,” said
Sarah Angst, Executive Director of Downtown Lebanon. “This grant will not only help preserve
the building but also the stories and legacy it represents. Projects like this demonstrate the
power of historic preservation and our collective pride in the community. We have lost three
significant historic structures over the last few years, and as an organization, Downtown
Lebanon is committed to doing all we can to save the ones we have left.”
If you are a banking institution who would like to partner with MMSC to provide construction, commercial, and/or bridge loans for this project and/or any of the projects that have been awarded see what this looks like with MMSC’s information sheet.
This grant was made possible with assistance from the Historic Preservation Fund, administered by the
National Park Service, Department of the Interior under Grant Number P23AP01967. Any opinions,
findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and
do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of
Interior.
About National Park Service
Since 1916, the National Park Service (NPS) has directed the management and implementation of
programming for the national parks across the country.
For over 100 years they have led the preservation of America’s natural and cultural resources for current
and future generations. The NPS in partnership and cooperation with partners has taken care of the
national parks and helped Americans take care of their communities. One way that this is accomplished is through appropriations authorized by Congress for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF). The HPF,
authorized through 2023, uses revenue from federal oil and gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf,
providing assistance for a broad range of preservation projects without expending tax dollars.
These grants mark the fifth year of funding for the program honoring the late Paul Bruhn, executive
director of the Preservation Trust of Vermont for nearly 40 years. For more information about the grants
and the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants program, please visit nps.gov.
About Missouri Main Street Connection
Missouri Main Street Connection is the leading statewide nonprofit organization devoted to preservation-
based economic development. Through the Main Street AmericaTM movement and our partners, we
empower community revitalization by celebrating, supporting, and sustaining Missouri historic commercial districts in both rural and urban settings. Since 2005, Missouri Main Street communities have seen $1 billion in public and private investment and MMSC has worked in over 180 communities. These Missouri Main Street communities and districts are thriving and vibrant by engaging the community members in revitalization strategies to create experiences that preserve their history and culture.
Follow Missouri Main Street Connection on Facebook @MissouriMainStreetConnection and Instagram
@MOmainstreet.
For additional information, contact State Director Gayla Roten at 417-334-3014. Mailing address for
inquiries: PO Box 1066, Branson, MO 65615.
