Joplin:  Some of Our Favorite Attractions

Downtown Joplin

What's the fastest approach to get to know Joplin? Take a walk downtown. With its unique shops, vibrant art galleries, diverse restaurants, and lively night hang outs, downtown Joplin draws folks in with its energy. This is the Sunshine Lamp District, so called after the lamps that miners wore on their helmets back in Joplin's thriving mining days. While the facade exteriors of these solid brick structures remind us of Joplin's prosperous past, their interiors embody contemporary, metropolitan elegance. Downtown Joplin is where people come to collect; it's the heart of our city.

Historical Murphysburg District

Sergeant and Moffet Avenues, between 1st and 7th Street is likewise known as the Murphysburg District.

Be carried over 100 years back in time as you walk the tree-lined streets of Joplin's Historical Murphysburg District. This residential area, west of downtown, is where the founding fathers of Joplin constructed the manor houses which embodied their success. A variety of architectural styles are represented here, including Craftsman, Queen Anne, American Foursquare, and Eclectic, and there are historical markers in front of lots of homes detailing their names and when they were developed, making it simple for self-guided tours.

Throughout the year, there are special occasions in the district which include home and garden trips. Put on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015, this district extends from Byers to Jackson Avenues, and from Second to 7th Streets.

Get your kicks on Route 66

Cruise along historical Route 66 as it winds its course through the center of Joplin, by means of Main Street downtown, then toward the Kansas state line on 7th Street. Our city is even featured in the lyrics of the renowned song "Get Your Kicks On Route 66," and we have a park devoted to Joplin's special place in the history of this major highway.

Referred to as the Mother Roadway, Route 66 was established in 1926, reaching from Chicago to Santa Monica, California. By the 1950s, it was heavily traveled by tourists making their way out west. While larger interstate highways have subsequently made the journey out west more effective, each year countless tourists - much of them from around the globe - still elect to take a more sentimental journey on the famous Route 66.

A cruise down Path 66 brings you through the heart of Joplin, enabling you to experience our city with awakened senses. Channel your inner Siskel-and-Ebert after seeing an independent movie at a unique theater. Savor the made-from-scratch goodness of premium chocolates that have been crafted in Joplin for over 40 years at a local candy factory. Check out Main Street's boutiques and galleries for unique items and local art, then feast your eyes on our lively downtown murals, along with the amazing examples of architecture in Murphysburg, our city's first residential district. Delve into backstory of our city at the Joplin museum, where you'll discover how the discovery of important minerals turned this picturesque Ozark spot into a growing town, a town that has actually been- and continues to be- traveled by countless Mother Roadway tourists each year.

Precious Moments Chapel & Gift Shoppe

Located in Carthage, MO east of Joplin and called the "American Sistine Chapel," the walls of this tourist attraction are covered with murals featuring the wide-eyed, angelic characters of artist Samuel J. Butcher. Established in 1989, the chapel consists of 84 hand-painted murals and 30 works of stained glass, all crafted by Butcher himself, which retell time honored Bible stories.

Butcher developed the chapel as a method of stating "thanks" to God for everything good in his life. In 2015, Timmy's Tower was added to the Precious Moments complex as a homage to Butcher's late child.

Collectors of {Precious Moments figurines will take pleasure in browsing the world's largest Precious Moments Gift Shoppe, which features the present collection along with the Archive Collection and Christmas Shoppe. If you get hungry during your tour of the complex, you can get a fast meal or a sweet treat at the Royal Delights Cafe.

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A Short, But Interesting History of Joplin

Joplin, Missouri, at one time the lead and zinc mining capital of the world, was first settled by a Methodist minister the Reverend Harris G. Joplin in 1839.  Rev. Joplin held church services in his house for other area pioneers prior to the city of Joplin ever being established. Before the Civil War, lead was found in the Joplin Creek Valley; but, mining operations were interrupted by the war. Real development didn't happen until after the Civil War.In 1870, a very large lead strike occurred which brought a rush of miners to the vicinity and various mining camps sprang up. Soon, one John C. Cox filed a town site plan. The area was quickly occupied by a variety of brand-new businesses. 

With the large increase of miners, Joplin ended up being a wild town, filled with saloons, dancing, gambling facilities, and brothels-- so much so, that news papers referred to the city as existing in the middle of a "Reign of Terror." The riches of the mining fields likewise drew investors and speculators and a need for a banking organization was apparent. With the inflow of wealth numerous businesses and residences sprang up around the valley.While Joplin was initially put on the map by lead, it was zinc, often referred to as "jack," that really founded the town. With the railroads traveling through the location, Joplin was on the verge of significant growth. What started as a simple mining town was quickly filled with smelters, mines, large houses, thriving business, and the ever present saloons. 

In 1897, soaring ore prices and continued active demand produced large earnings for mines in the Joplin District, and the following year was among the most prosperous in the history of zinc mining. These earnings drew in the attention of rich Eastern investors and in 1899, a group of Boston capitalists formed a corporation they called American Zinc, Lead, and Smelting Company. American Zinc, as it was commonly known, turned into one of the significant players in the Tri-State Mining District.

By the turn of the century Joplin was quickly becoming the center of the mining activity for the Tri-State Mining District, which included Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. By this time, the city boasted more than 26,000 people. Construction centered around Main Street, with numerous bars, hotels, and great houses nearby. Trolley and railway made Joplin the center of southwest Missouri and as the center of the Tri-state district.  It quickly ended up being the lead and zinc capital of the world. Lead, and specifically zinc, produced and would sustain Joplin's economy for more than seven decades.

During World War I, the mines grew supplying mineral requirements for the war effort. However, when the war was over in 1918, the mining market declined as a result of the low cost of ore and the discovery richer ore pockets in Oklahoma. By 1920, its population had likewise declined from the previous decade, but not significantly-- losing about 7%.

In 1933, the city ended up being the short-term residence of none other than the infamous outlaws, Bonnie and Clyde. Spending numerous weeks in Joplin, plying their burglary trade at numerous local businesses|. When tipped off by a neighbor, the Joplin Police Department attempted to capture the two at their hideout, located at 34th Street and Oak Ridge Drive.  However, the two got away after killing Newton County Constable John Wesley Harryman and Joplin Police Detective Harry McGinnis. Today, this historical house, called the Joplin Hideout, has actually has actually been historically restored and embellished in 1930's era decor. It can now be leased by visitors by the night, weekend or by the week.

After World War II, the majority of the mines were closed, and the population growth leveled off; however, this ended up being the time of the most comprehensive travel along Route 66, as Americans discovered themselves with more free time than ever before. 

Unfortunately, in the 1960's and 1970's, nearly 40 acres of the city's downtown were torn down in the name of progress. Some of these included many of the great architectural gems of the past.  However, many historical views still exist such as the Newman Mercantile Store building|, a landmark since 1910, and now called home to Joplin's City Hall.  The Frisco Depot, that has actually been transformed to apartments, as well as the Union Depot, and the Fox Theater. 

On May 22, 2011, the city was struck by a terrible tornado,  killing a minimum of 158 people, injured 1,150 others and caused damages of $2.8 Billion. It was the most devastating tornado in the US since 1947, the seventh most devastating overall on record, and the costliest single tornado in U.S. History. 

Today, Joplin is called home to about 50,000 people. The rebuilding effort is almost complete.  The town continues to grow and thrive in the Ozarks of Missouri.

Grand Falls in Joplin MO

If you travel to Southwest Missouri you really will want to get off Highway 44 and visit Grand Falls just south of Joplin city limit.  Grand Falls claim to fame is being the largest continuously flowing water fall in Missouri.   The falls are only 12' high, but span over 163'.  

The falls are on Shoal Creek and flow year round.  Just above the falls there is a man made dam that is used to supply water for the City of Joplin.  The ledge is a formation of chert-a hard, fine grained,  crystalline rock which is primarily of quartz composition.

The entire formation is beautiful but quite rugged so if you really want to enjoy the experience wear good shoes with a closed toe and good traction that you don't mind wading in.  You will find numerous pools of water with living creatures to explore.  Bring the kids or grands!  

I'm attaching a map.  It is really not hard to find, however having your GPS handy to double check your directions can be very handy.

I love the Ozarks and just want to share Joplin and the surrounding area and all the wonders.

Look forward to interacting with others who feel the same.