Lavery House

George R. Lavery (Born 1856 ~ Died 1928)
Theresa Sorg Lavery (Born 1866 ~ Died 1959)
George Lavery served as the Deputy 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 and Lavery, purveyors of groceries and dry goods. Both George and
Theresa (George’s third wife) were active in Democratic politics.

Theresa established and operated the Sorg Millinery Shop for 17 years and was a charter
member of the Joplin Woman’s Club. Theresa was very active in social and civic clubs in
Joplin and in 1926 was appointed as one of three democratic election judges.

ARCHITECTURE – This two-and-one-half-story house has a limestone foundation. The
house is an example of the Free Classic subtype of the Queen Anne style. Gabled wings with
pent roofs and imbrication project from the east and south elevations. A hipped wing
projects from the rear (west) elevation. A brick chimney rises from the east slope of the
roof. Dentil molding ornaments the roofline; simple pilasters articulated the corners. A hip
porch spans the primary (east) 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.