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Theron Bennett Home


category : Famous Homes
Theron Bennett Home

Theron Bennett, nationally known ragtime composer, lived in Pierce City until returning from college 1902 when he left to begin a career where his unseen future would become the past that we can now recall as his successful contribution to the music world. Satisfied, Pork and Beans, Some Blues, and St. Louis Tickle are but a few of the early rags composed between 1909 and 1916.


Theron's father came to Pierce City in 1874 according to Lawrence County history:



"It is everywhere acknowledged that keen perception, sound judgment and a determined will, supported by continuous effort,
will surely result in success, and the mercantile experience of Mr. Bennett, in Peirce City, fully bears out the truth of this
statement, for he is numbered among the substantial business men and enterprising citizens of the town. It was in 1874 that he
came to Peirce City and engaged in the drug business, and his reputation in his line of business is second to none in Southwest
Missouri.....he is the father of one son, Theron, jazz and rag-time composer and musician."



From "A Reprint of Goodspeed's 1888 History of Lawrence County; Reprint Lawrence County Section of Goodspeed's

Newton, Lawrence, Barry And McDonald Counties History; published by the Goodspeed Publishing Co., in 1888; Reprinted

by Litho Printers Of Cassville, Missouri In 1973." as transcribed by JJR.



Address: Walnut and Washington Streets

Come visit us in Pierce City, Missouri

Attractions and Upcoming Events

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

1922 Bandstand

The bandstand was damaged in the May 4, 2003, tornado but the base still stands in its original location on Walnut Street. The historic bandstand was rebuilt with a red roof (its original color) and rededicated in May 2004.

Pierce City, MO Historic Downtowns

First United Methodist Church

The United Methodist Church was built in 1881 at a location a few blocks north of its present location in 1903. Originally in the 1870s, the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South groups met in homes until both were able to build in 1881. In 1903

Pierce City, MO Historic Churches

Shepherd Sawmill - Jolly Mill Park

The Shepherd family has operated sawmills in this area for many years. The family built this sawmill to honor all members of the family. The sawmill is steam powered by a 1918

Pierce City, MO Historic Mills

First Baptist Church (no longer standing)

THIS BUILDING WAS DEMOLISHED AFTER EXTENSIVE DAMAGE FROM THE MAY 4, 2003, TORNADO. THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH'S NEW BUILDING IS LOCATED ON HWY 97 JUST NORTH OF LAWRENCE COUNTY ROAD 2220 (POWERLINE ROAD).

The Friendship Baptist Church was organized in 1840

Pierce City, MO Historic Churches

Things to do Famous Homes near Pierce City, MO