Opera House (no longer standing)

THIS BUILDING WAS DEMOLISHED AFTER SUSTAINING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE IN THE MAY 4, 2003, TORNADO.

The Raupp Opera House was completed in 1886 and occupied the full third floor of the Opera Building on Commercial; it seated six hundred people in its commodious auditorium with folding chairs used. The front two thirds of the auditorium toward the well-equipped stage was always held for reserved seats to any event. The hall was well equipped and acoustics were good, so that the Congressional meetings of both parties were held here for many years. After an election day, everyone would gather here for the returns, which in those days came in by telegram and were promptly delivered to the chairmen of the waiting crowd.

On the second floor the 203rd Regiment of the National Guard had its armory headquarters from 1886 on to the time of the building of the armory on Main and Locust in the 1930s. The first floor of the Opera House housed various business firms through the years, including Raupps Furniture Store.

Address: demolished in 2003

The Hansard House

Dr. Hansard sold the west section of his property on Washington Street for the construction of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in 1901. The house was built circa 1872

Pierce City, MO Historic Homes

St. Patrick's Church

Catholicism in Peirce City is as old as the town itself when in 1870 the Frisco railroad laid the first tracks through here going west to Kansas. Many of the railroaders were Irish Catholics.

Pierce City, MO Historic Churches

St. Mary's Catholic Church

Up to 1883 all Catholics in the area belonged to St. Patrick's Church which was organized in 1871. But owing to the increased immigration of the Germans and Poles, some of these members requested Bishop Hogan for a parish of their own. The first St. Mary'

Pierce City, MO Historic Churches

Chapman School - Jolly Mill Park

The Chapman School was built in 1884 and originally located on the Chapman property about 2 miles from the Park. First called the "Hazel Hill," the school was later renamed "Hazel Dell," and eventually "Chapman." When it was closed in 1951

Pierce City, MO Historic Schoolhouses

Military Memorials

For those interested in military machinery, the following memorials can be seen on a short day trip to the following cites around the Pierce City area.

Pierce City, MO - M4 Sherman Tank

Cassville, MO - M60A3 Main Battle Tank

Purdy, MO - A-4 Skyhawk Fighter-bomber

Pierce City, MO Memorials

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