606 West Main Street – Kennedy Mortuary

City Directories and History: 1917 – W.R. Richey, 1948 – Kennedy Mortuary, Yancy E. Poole, 1975 – Same

In 1922 the structure appears to have been a large simple frame dwelling stuccoed later in the 20th century.

Image courtesy of the Blythe Collection – ca. 1982

Kennedy Mortuary was started on the public square in 1885 by Clarence and Hugh Kennedy. This building was originally the home of Colonel William R. Richey and his family.  An attorney, Colonel Richey was Mayor of Laurens from 1905-1920 and presided as president, treasurer, and manager of the Laurens Telephone Company. Built in the early 1900’s, the house was constructed of wood. After Kennedy Mortuary moved here in 1946, concrete blocks were used to build new outside walls that were then stuccoed. The house has two stories and a basement where the Richey servants lived.  Now the basement is used for limousines and funeral coaches.  [Courtesy of the Laurens Museum]

The Kennedy Funeral Home is not a clear architectural style but “perhaps” fits best as a Mission influenced facade.

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