Celebrating National Historic Districts & Places That Matter

George Lavery House 

608 S. Sergeant Avenue

circa 1899  |  Free Classic subtype of the Queen Anne style

George Lavery (1856-1928) served as the Deputy Jasper County Assessor, Deputy Sheriff, and on the Joplin City Council in the late 1890s.  Early on he was associated with the smelting industry.  Later he was with Cofer & Lavery, purveyors of groceries and dry goods.  Both George and his third wife, Theresa Sorg Lavery (1866-1959) were active in Democratic politics. 

Theresa moved to Joplin in 1892 and established the Sorg Store, a millinery shop, with a sister, Miss Anna Sorg.  After operating the hat shop for 17 years, it’s last location was in the Frisco Building at 6th & Main Street.  Theresa was very active in social and civic clubs in Joplin, was a charter member of the Joplin Woman’s Club, and in 1926 was appointed as one of three Democratic election judges.

Architecture – Gabled wings with pent roofs and imbrication project from the east and south elevations.  A hipped wing projects from the rear elevation.  Dentil molding ornaments the roofline; simple pilasters articulated the corners.  A hip porch spans the primary elevation.  It has brick columns on each end and a brick pier with a turned wood post in the center, and a wood picket railing.  Note the hitching post in the parkway.