Joplin - "Proud of Our Past . . . Shaping our Future"
Welcome to Joplin, a city that combines the beauty and hospitality of country living with the convenience and commerce of city vitality. Situated strategically near the geographic and population centers of the nation, Joplin was founded in 1871 by John C. Cox. Cox named his village Joplin City after the spring and creek nearby. Although commonly believed to be named for ragtime composer Scott Joplin, who lived in Sedalia, Missouri, the namesake comes from the Reverend Harris G. Joplin who founded the first Methodist congregation in the area in mid-century.
Carthage resident Patrick Murphy filed a plan for a city on the opposite side of the valley and named it Murphysburg. The cities eventually merged into Union City, but this merger was found illegal and the two cities split. They merged again on March 23, 1873, this time permanently, a short time later as the City of Joplin.
Trolley and rail lines made Joplin the hub of Southwest Missouri and it soon became the lead and zinc capital of the world with many fine homes, hotels and restaurants. As a result of extensive mining of that time, Joplin is dotted with open pit strip mines and mine shafts which bear a strong resemblance to the Painted Desert in Arizona. Although the downtown area was razed in 1960s and 1970s, we have recently undertaken a project to revitalize its Main Street downtown district.
An interesting note in our city's history. Possibly the most famous photos of Bonnie and Clyde, infamous bank robbers of the 1930s obtained right here in Joplin. Back in the 1930s, Bonnie and Clyde spent several weeks in Joplin and robbed several area businesses. Tipped off by a neighbor, Joplin police attempted to apprehend Bonnie and Clyde. Bonnie and Clyde escaped (killing two Joplin police officers in the process); however, they were forced to leave most of their possessions behind, including a camera. The film in this camera was developed by the Joplin Globe.
Whether you are a first time visitor or a long time resident, Joplin has much for you to see. While you are here, you can visit the world's largest Chert Glades, and Missouri's only continuously flowing waterfall. Grand Falls. The Joplin Museum Complex is home to two outstanding educational museums as well as Boomer's good friend, Percy the Cat. Percy is sort of a local celebrity in Joplin and he's in charge of the museums, making sure all guests have a good time while visiting. The Everett J. Ritchie Tri-State Mineral Museum was founded in 1931 and boasts one of the world's most extraordinary and unique collection of lead and zinc ore dating back to Joplin's mining days in the late 1800's. Here you can get a feel of what it was like to mine back then. Tools of the mining trade, various mining models, maps and photographs from Joplin's mining days are also on display. And best of all, the Mineral Museum sits in a reproduced mine shaft so it feels like you are actually under ground experiencing firsthand the workings of a real zinc mine.
At The Dorothea B. Hoover Historical Museum, you can go back to Joplin's beginnings. The museum features displays about Historic Route 66, Bonnie and Clyde's adventures in Joplin, the famous Spook Light and is home to the Joplin Sports Hall of Fame and the National Cookie Cutter Historical Museum.
This is just the beginning of what you can discover. We encourage you to come and experience the wonders of Joplin for yourself!
Source:
Joplin Conventions and Visitors Bureau
City of Joplin
Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia
Legends of America
San Jose State University
