The Yellow House is a historic building located in the West Plains Downtown District. Its history dates back to 1853, when President Franklin Pierce granted to the widow Mary Maddox a tract of land which included the property where the Yellow House now stands. In 1858, Josiah Howell, for whom Howell County is named, purchased the land to establish a county seat.
28 years later, the plot of land was purchased by another founding father of West Plains, William J. Zorn. A prominent merchant and banker, Zorn contributed immeasurably to the cultural life of the fledgling settlement. He managed an opera house for more than 20 years and also owned one of the area’s first newspapers. In 1903, William Zorn built the house which has come to be known as “The Yellow House,” a landmark in the downtown area.
Home to a volunteer organization devoted to promoting the arts and education in the Ozarks, the Yellow House regularly hosts live music and art events which are open to the public. Check out our website for details.