History is everywhere — if you know how to look for it. In Columbia, four schools have been determined to be historical properties and have been named to the Notable Properties list by the Historic Preservation Commission.

Of the four schools, one has recently been closed as a school and only one is named after a writer. The other three are named after political leaders.

Eugene Field Elementary School at 1010 N. Rangeline was named after Missouri native Eugene Field, who worked as a journalist, but is perhaps best known for his children’s poems. The school was closed as a public elementary school in December 2009. 

Thomas Hart Benton Elementary School at 1410 Hinkson Avenue was named for one of the first two senators to represent Missouri after it became a state in 1821.

The other two schools are Jefferson Junior High School at 713 Rogers St., and Ulysses S. Grant Elementary School at 10 E. Broadway.