Nestled in the southwestern corner of the Show-Me State, Joplin, Missouri, stands as a testament to American grit, a city that rose from the rich mineral deposits beneath its soil to become a vital hub of industry and culture. The story of Joplin, Missouri, is intricately woven with the veins of lead and zinc that first drew settlers, fueling its rapid growth and defining its unique character.
Traveling along the historic Route 66, the transition from Webb City to Joplin is seamless, reflecting how this once-separate community has grown to envelop its smaller neighbor. The roots of Joplin stretch back to 1839 with the arrival of Reverend Harris G. Joplin, who provided spiritual guidance to early pioneers in his home, long before a city formally existed.
The Birth of a Mining Metropolis
The true genesis of Joplin began with the discovery of lead in the Joplin Creek Valley prior to the Civil War. While conflict temporarily halted mining efforts, a significant lead strike in 1870 sparked a boom, drawing a multitude of prospectors and miners to the area. This influx led to the establishment of numerous mining camps and the swift filing of a townsite plan by John C. Cox on the valley’s east side. This burgeoning settlement was named after Joplin Creek, itself a tribute to the pioneering Reverend Harris G. Joplin.
Concurrently, Patrick Murphy, a resident of Carthage, established another townsite on the valley’s west side, dubbing it Murphysburg. A spirited rivalry quickly emerged between these two nascent communities. To prevent escalating tensions, the Missouri State General Assembly intervened in 1873, combining the municipalities. In that same pivotal year, the unified city of Joplin, Missouri, was officially incorporated. Today, Murphysburg endures as a historic residential district within Joplin, preserving its legacy along Sergeant Avenue and Moffet Avenue.
The Wild West of the Ozarks: Lead, Zinc, and a “Reign of Terror”
With its rapid population growth driven by the mining bonanza, Joplin earned a reputation as a “wild town.” Saloons, dance halls, gambling establishments, and brothels proliferated, leading the contemporary press to describe the city as being in the midst of a “Reign of Terror.” Despite its rowdy nature, the immense wealth generated by the mines attracted investors and speculators, highlighting the urgent need for financial institutions. Patrick Murphy, though unsuccessful in his Murphysburg venture, seized this opportunity, establishing the Banking House of Patrick Murphy in 1875. His enterprise thrived in a two-story brick building on Main Street, and by 1880, Joplin’s population had soared to over 7,000.
While lead initially put Joplin on the map, it was zinc, affectionately known as “jack,” that truly cemented the city’s prosperity and dramatic expansion. The arrival of railroads further fueled growth, transforming a simple mining settlement into a bustling industrial center adorned with smelters, grand homes, and a ubiquitous presence of saloons. Among these, the House of Lords stood out, a three-story establishment featuring a bar and restaurant on its first floor, gambling on the second, and a brothel on the third.
Joplin at the Turn of the Century: A Mining Powerhouse
The late 19th century brought unprecedented prosperity to Joplin. Soaring prices and relentless demand for minerals in 1897 and 1898 marked one of the most prosperous periods in zinc mining history. This immense profitability attracted significant attention from wealthy Eastern investors. In 1899, a group of Boston capitalists formed the American Zinc, Lead, and Smelting Company, which quickly became a dominant force in the Tri-State Mining District, encompassing parts of Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
By the turn of the century, Joplin had firmly established itself as the undisputed center of the Tri-State Mining District’s operations. The city’s population swelled to over 26,000. Main Street became the focal point of construction, flanked by a vibrant array of bars, hotels, and elegant residences. An extensive network of trolley and rail lines further solidified Joplin’s position as the primary hub of southwest Missouri. For more than seven decades, the extraction of lead, and particularly zinc, created and sustained Joplin’s robust economy, earning it the title of the lead and zinc capital of the world.
The mining industry in Joplin experienced a resurgence during World War I, with local mines contributing vital mineral resources to the war effort. However, with the war’s conclusion in 1918, the industry began a decline, prompted by falling ore prices and the discovery of richer deposits in Oklahoma. By 1920, Joplin’s population saw a modest decrease, signaling the end of its most explosive growth phase.
Route 66 and Infamous Visitors
The year 1926 marked a new chapter for Joplin, Missouri, with the establishment of historic Route 66 through the city. The Mother Road wound its way from Webb City along Range Line Road before navigating through Joplin’s streets, including Zora St., Florida Ave., Utica St., Euclid Ave., Saint Louis Ave., and 7th St. This new artery of travel spurred the growth of numerous service businesses, catering to the burgeoning number of motorists traversing the famous highway.
In a dramatic interlude in 1933, Joplin briefly became the temporary refuge for the notorious outlaws Bonnie and Clyde. The infamous duo spent several weeks in the city, engaging in their robbery trade at local businesses. After a tip-off from a neighbor, the Joplin Police Department attempted to apprehend the pair at their hideout located at 34th Street and Oak Ridge Drive. In a violent shootout, Bonnie and Clyde managed to escape, but not before tragically killing Newton County Constable John Wesley Harryman and Joplin Police Detective Harry McGinnis. Today, this historic apartment, known as the Joplin Hideout, has been meticulously restored to a 1930s-era style, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience a piece of outlaw history by renting it for a night, weekend, or week.
Post-War Changes and Enduring Resilience
Following World War II, most of Joplin’s mines gradually closed, and population growth stabilized. This period, however, coincided with the golden age of travel along Route 66, as Americans embraced newfound leisure time. Unfortunately, the 1960s and 1970s witnessed a significant loss of historical architecture, as nearly 40 acres of downtown Joplin were razed in the name of urban progress. This included the demolition of iconic structures like the Connor and Keystone Hotels and several cherished Route 66 landmarks.
Despite these changes, many historic glimpses of Joplin still exist. The impressive Newman Mercantile Store building, a landmark since 1910, now serves as Joplin’s City Hall. The Frisco Depot, once a Harvey House and railroad office, has been repurposed into apartments, while the Union Depot and Fox Theater also stand as reminders of a bygone era. Where the raucous House of Lords Saloon once stood at 407 Main Street, a peaceful small park now features the “Lucky Miner” statue, symbolizing Joplin’s enduring connection to its mining heritage.
Joplin Today: A City Reborn
Joplin has faced its share of challenges, demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. On May 6, 1971, a severe tornado struck the city, causing one fatality, 50 injuries, and significant damage. Forty years later, on May 22, 2011, Joplin endured an even more devastating EF5 tornado. This catastrophic event claimed at least 158 lives, injured 1,150 others, and caused an estimated $2.8 billion in damage, marking it as the deadliest tornado strike in the U.S. since 1947 and the costliest single tornado in U.S. history.
Today, with a population of approximately 50,000, Joplin, Missouri, continues to thrive, proudly preserving its rich past while looking to the future. The Joplin Museum Complex in Schifferdecker Park offers two distinct museums that narrate the city’s compelling history. The Dorothea B. Hoover Historical Museum showcases a diverse array of historic items, including a 1927 fire engine. Adjacent to it, the Tri-State Mineral Museum boasts one of the world’s largest collections of lead and zinc ore, alongside a comprehensive display of mining tools and equipment. Both museums are located at Fourth Street and Schifferdecker Avenue. Along the historic Mother Road, visitors can still find Dale’s Route 66 Barber Shop on the corner of Utica St. and Euclid Avenue, and numerous vintage signs that evoke the golden age of travel.
Conclusion
As one departs Joplin, Missouri, towards the Kansas State line and Galena, glimpses of old vintage pubs serve as a final nod to a vibrant history. From its origins as a lead and zinc mining boomtown to its pivotal role on Route 66 and its incredible resilience in overcoming natural disasters, Joplin stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the American heartland. It is a city that remembers its past while continually rebuilding and reinventing itself for future generations, proving that even after great challenges, a strong community can always find its way forward.
