East Liverpool in Columbiana County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

W.L. Thompson Music Store

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, July 3, 2011

1. W.L. Thompson Music Store Marker

Inscription. Constructed in the 1880's by Will L. Thompson for his rapidly expanding music business, this building was a showcase for band instruments, pianos and organs, as well as sheet music and similar merchandise. Thompson, composer of "Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling" and other popular songs, later sold the building to two nephews who operated it the Smith and Phillips Furniture store.

Erected 2005 by East Liverpool Rotary Club.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Rotary International series list.

Location. 40° 37.079′ N, 80° 34.731′ W. Marker is in East Liverpool, Ohio, in Columbiana County. It is at the intersection of 4th Street and Washington Street, on the right when traveling west on 4th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: East Liverpool OH 43920, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Mahoning Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mary Patterson Memorial Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Traveler's Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Ceramic Theater (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line);

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Isaac Knowles - Knowles Block (about 300 feet away); I.O.O.F. Building (about 300 feet away); Carnegie Public Library (about 300 feet away); Bradshaw's Hall (about 400 feet away); Locke's Building (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in East Liverpool.

Also see . . . Will Lamartine Thompson. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on January 21, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

W.L. Thompson image. Click for full size.

via Wikipedia, unknown

2. W.L. Thompson

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, July 3, 2011

3. W.L. Thompson Music Store Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,286 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 4, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on January 21, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on July 4, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.