What appears to be one building is actually two separate buildings with a shared architectural façade.

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The corner building was constructed of brick by Charles Harrington following the devastating fire of 1880, which destroyed much of the north side of the Square.  It originally housed a saloon and billiards hall, with a barber shop added later.  In 1890, the Central National Bank purchased the building, occupying the first floor while offices were located upstairs.

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In 1905, Gammon purchased the former Hatch Building, which had been home to the Hatch Clothing Company until the business closed in 1908.

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In 1907, prominent Carthage architect J. A. Prather prepared plans to give the bank and neighboring Gammon Building a more imposing and substantial appearance.  Both buildings were refaced with Carthage “marble,” the locally quarried limestone that was also carried around the side of the bank building along Grant Street.

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The renovations included three marble pillars at the bank entrance, large plate-glass windows with prism-glass transoms, and a decorative balustrade along the roofline of both buildings.  The interior of the bank was remodeled at this time, while the Gammon Building was remodeled in 1908 to accommodate a new tenant following the closure of the clothing company.

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The Gammon Building became home to the Dumars Music Company, later the Dumars-Gammon Music Company.  In 1911, Charles Dumars sold his interest to Gammon, and the business became the Gammon Music Company.

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Be sure to notice the sidewalk plaque honoring James Scott, who worked at Dumars.  Scott is recognized as one of the “Big Three” composers of classic ragtime, along with Scott Joplin and Joseph Lamb.

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The corner bank building later became home to Carthage Water and Electric and other businesses. In ________, the building was renovated for **Lillian James & Co.**, and original marble discovered in the basement was reused on the walls.  Today, the Gammon Building is home to The Gaderian, a venue for weddings and other events.  The historic stairway connecting the two buildings has also been reopened.

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FUN FACT:  James Scott is considered one of the greatest ragtime composers and pianists of all time.  Born in Neosho, Missouri, Scott was one of six children of James and Mollie Scott, who were formerly enslaved.

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In 1901, Scott moved to Carthage, where he attended Lincoln School.  Although largely self-taught and blessed with perfect pitch, he studied piano with John Coleman, a Carthage saloon pianist, and Emma Johns DeArmond, a respected local piano teacher.

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In 1902, Scott began working for Charles Dumars, owner of the Dumars Music Company. Initially hired to perform odd jobs,  Scott eventually played the piano for Dumars, who quickly recognized his extraordinary talent.  Dumars had Scott demonstrate songs and pianos for customers and helped promote his musical career.

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In 1903, Dumars published two of Scott’s early compositions, A Summer Breeze and The Fascinator, and helped secure opportunities for Scott to perform locally, including at Lakeside Amusement Park, where he became a headliner.

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Scott’s first major commercial success came with Frog Legs Rag, published in 1906 by the Stark Music Company in St. Louis, which also published compositions by Scott Joplin.

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For several years, Carthage hosted the James Scott Ragtime Festival.  Although the festival is no longer held, Scott’s music continues to be celebrated at ragtime festivals throughout the country.

James Scott’s story is a remarkable part of Carthage history, connecting this building, a local music store, and a self-taught young musician who went on to become one of America’s great ragtime composers.