The Lawrence Home
311 6th Ave NW
The Lawrence home was built in 1938 on land Harold Lawrence purchased from the Northern Pacific Railroad. Harold was married to Frances Lawrence (her maiden name unknown) and had one son, Robert.
Harold owned Lawrence’s Men’s Wear on Main Street in Mandan for many years. The current homeowner can remember buying clothes for her children at Lawrence’s Men’s Wear when they were young. Harold was active in the community and took part in various civic activities. He was also a member of the Rotary Club for many years.
Frances endured much tragedy as a wife and mother. She lost her only son in a car accident four years after he graduated from Mandan High School. Then lost her husband to a tragic murder by strangulation in the Men’s Wear store when Harold was 69 years old. The killer was never identified, and, even though there were several suspects, no arrest was ever made. Most of the people with information pertinent to the murder have now passed on, but Deputy Police Chief Dennis Bullinger recalls the murder well and investigated it extensively.
Even though Frances endured much tragedy from the loss of her son and husband, she continued to live in the home her husband built. Research though state archives indicates that Frances passed away in 1976, four years after her husband. She was 66 years old at the time of her death. The entire family is buried in Mandan’s Union Cemetery.
The current homeowner, Terry Piper, has lived in the home since 1978. She and her children have brought much happiness to a grief stricken home. Terry has six grandchildren who enjoy visiting the home.
There has been some updating to the exterior of the home, however, the interior retains the original woodwork from when it was built. This home is a beautiful historical home with just a hint of mystery.
Draft transcription from the photographed sign; it has not yet received a second review.