The four-story brick building on the corner of Vine and Broadway has watched over the historic heart of Poplar Bluff for more than a century.
It was built by a blacksmith who arrived in the city in 1877 with a box of tools and 65 cents to his name.
Today the Begley building is home to Hays Music, owned by a family dedicated to preserving the legacy of those who helped build their hometown.
Downtown Poplar Bluff, Inc., will place a historic plaque outside 401 Vine St., honoring these contributions. The plaque was presented recently to Sarah Hays, daughter of the late Greg Hays and granddaughter of the late Letha Hays.
"Our board wanted to show appreciation. It's a goal of ours to continue to show our property and business owners how much they mean to our organization and what they do for downtown Poplar Bluff," said Jerrica Fox, director of Downtown Poplar Bluff, Inc.
Greg Hays was a member of the Downtown board since its inception, which made the Hays building a good place to start, Fox said.
The Hays family moved their music business into the four-story structure in 2000, having operated downtown since 1947.
"My grandmother was really passionate about buying this building. She loved a challenge," said Sarah Hays. "Our family being so deeply rooted in Butler County, I think staying on Vine Street was the most important part, and keeping (the business) alive in this area."
Renovations of the building included the replacement of all 40 windows, each of which had to be custom made, Hays said. Repairs to the roof, tuck pointing, masonry and other portions of the building were also needed.
"I'm really proud of my grandfather's legacy and everything they've done to keep music alive in Southeast Missouri," Hays said.
The music store was started by Joel Hays, stepping away from the family history of banking.
The red and cream building as it stands today was rebuilt in 1908 by George Begley Sr., replacing early structures that dated back to 1883. Begley came to Poplar Bluff as a blacksmith and later expanded his businesses into the manufacture of horse drawn vehicles, the sale of hardware and furniture, and construction of coffins.
Begley was the 76th licensed embalmer in the state, founding an undertaking company and the first mortuary in Poplar Bluff, according to Butler County historian David Deem.
That partnership is now operated as Cotrell Funeral Service, making it one of the city's longest continuously operating businesses.
The Begley building was one of the buildings to receive the least damage in the 1927 tornado that destroyed much of downtown Poplar Bluff.
The second and third stories became the temporary home for the county courthouse, which was among the structures that had to be rebuilt.
Hays Music continues to operate today with the support of longtime employees, Gary Davis, Jeff Jaynes and Allen Gallamore, Hays said.