05/17/2026
200 Town Square is one of the most well-preserved buildings in downtown Brandon, Mississippi, built in 1853. Some sources round this to "the 1850s," but 1853 is the most specific date cited.
Estimated to be the oldest building in Rankin County, the historic structure dates back to the 1800s. It is part of the Downtown Brandon Historic District, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010, and the Wierhouse itself is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The building had a remarkably varied life over its 170+ years:
General store — one of its earliest documented commercial uses
City jail — architect Jamie Wier renovated the old city jail in downtown Brandon, and the speakeasy in the basement was deliberately placed where the jail cells once were, with some of the original jail bars incorporated into the décor
Civil War hospital — Wier was told it was used as a hospital for Union troops during the Civil War, when most of Brandon was burned
Hardware store, Antique shop — more recently, it was a hardware store and antique shop
The Wierhouse Renovation (2013–2018)
Architect Jamie Wier bought two adjoining buildings and undertook a significant renovation, with unexpected costs coming from efforts to preserve the structural integrity of the buildings. The project was nominated for a 2018 Mississippi Heritage Trust award.
The renovation created a mixed-use space including loft apartments, a bakery (now the home of Good Boy Poboys), and restaurant Genna Benna's. The basement speakeasy, called The Gallows Bar, occupies the former jail cell space.
Though beautifully restored, the building still retains many of its original features, such as hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, and high ceilings.
This building is part of the local Brandon Historic District and a contributing property in the Downtown Brandon National Register District.
