The Eerie History of Our Marshfield Office

The Marshfield Rock Castle is a beautiful piece of property in Marshfield, Missouri. Its unique stone façade and two-story circular tower have made it a town staple. Additionally, it’s one of three properties in Webster County on the National Historic Registry, and for good reason.

Rainy Funeral Home

This piece of property was constructed in 1938 for husband and wife, Rex and Carmen Rainey. The gothic characteristics of the building represented the business that they were running—the city’s only mortuary and funeral service business.

Although the building no longer serves this purpose, today you can still see the wooden carrier that transported the caskets from the basement to the top floor.

An Attempted Murder 

On the night of October 19^th,1949 a woman entered the Rainey Funeral Home with a flashlight in one hand and a toy pistol in the other.

She crept to the basement where Mrs. Carmen Rainey laid sleeping and approached the bed. As the woman was reaching for the revolver, Carmen startled awake. Before she knew it, Carmen Rainey was physically fighting with the woman who then beat her with the flashlight and toy pistol. Seriously injured, Mrs. Rainey managed to bite the woman’s fingers and escape.

The woman was later found guilty of assault to kill Carmen Rainey, but the plot thickened when the woman’s motive was revealed. Mr. and Mrs. Rainey resided at the funeral home while managing their business, and along the way, Mr. Rainey had developed a relationship with this woman. It lasted for four years up to this incident and where Mrs. Rainey found out about the affair.

The woman revealed to authorities that Rex Rainey supposedly told her to go into the Rainey Funeral Home during his absence, given her the location of his revolver, and specified where to find his wife.

Sometime after this incident, the Raineys decided to divorce and as a result, had to sell their successful business. Over the next fifty years, the building owners changed several times, but it remained a funeral home.

That was until 2012, when it was purchased and repurposed as an Italian restaurant. The restaurant, Casa Bella, only remained in business for a few months and was then vacated.

A Connection to Massey Park 

Massey Park has been an area for the residents of Marshfield to enjoy with family and friends for many years, but at one time, it was just a piece of land owned by Del Massey.

By the time of his death in 1959, Del Massey was Marshfield’s only African American resident. Notably referred to as “a friend to the children,” as local history attests that kids would run up to say hi whenever they spotted Mr. Massey walking down the street.

The love that people had for him was on full display at his funeral, which was attended by more than 600 people at the Rainey Funeral Home Building. A crowd so large, that attendees had no choice but to stand outside and listen through speakers that were specially brought in.  

Although it wasn’t known until after his death in 1959, Mr. Massey left all his property to the town`s children. The city eventually decided to turn it into Massey Park fifteen years after he died. 

National Register Worthy 

The Rainey Funeral Home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. This recognition proved that this building not only holds significance but also has an artistic value that makes it worthy of preservation.

The Marshfield Rock Castle, once known as the Rainey Funeral Home among many other names, is now the site of Hosmer, King and Royce. We are honored to be able to do our work in a place that is very significant to the residents of Marshfield. Explore our practice areas or call our Marshfield law office at 417-859-2245 for a consultation.