Missouri Southern State University - Crossroads Yearbook (Joplin, MO)

Page 8 text:

Joplin 1880 THE CITY OF JOPLIN The city of Joplin, Missouri. presents an interesting study in progress. ln seventy-seven years it has changed from a booming frontier town to the metropolis of southwest Missouri. This growth has been quite as colorful as that of many of the larger cities. Fertile soils and vast mineral resources drew settlers to the district follow- ing the Civil War. Joplin. originally two mushroom settlements. called Joplin City and Nlurphysburg. was granted a charter by the state legislature, March 24, l873. Fires. floods. and transportation and nnancial difficulties failed to check the sturdy pioneer spirit of Joplin's oldftimers. The new town developed into a rip-roaring frontier mining settlement. and just before the turn of the century, it was known as one of the three row- diest towns in America. The Hrst church service was held in one of the many saloons. Shooting and lighting were commonplace in a town where money was taken lightly. Through the tireless efforts of some of its civic leaders and organizations. Joplin finally settled down and became a city of cultured, progressive people. 353 if N, Courtesy. Dolph Shaner Storu of Joplin y

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. 41' 1 'A fb 'v.Z4',' ts , ' ,W x HU g ? 1 ,J g i 0 dx if P r l. ,f ,,, f all f ' 4 WN? X f ' . jjj f , K Y y ' mhklker A century ago the forty-niners braved all obstacles to travel west in search of riches and adventure. Now in the centennial year of the great 'gold rush, we pay tribute to the sturdy men and women who helped to develop this great country. We the forty-niners of the twentieth century salute the courageous forty- niners of the nineteenth century.

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A STUDY IN PROGRESS cron:-' .. me-ftrrrffesif SWK? t a .. , , ,-f Tw'f'A I- : , T' .J ' VF 7 - . . ' ,, 4- ,f - V . W- i -f r f 0 'JG , S, 1+-.Mt - Q ,. . r V -...M N 6 . . . N -, , ' . ' ml'-52. 'I -I-5 , 3 . .. M, , , , . . ...., , I ,Q ' ,.,15'.aL,4.------M '25, 'gf I - . .. .V 4 ,, 'Ps-,Q 4,21 . Vi' .P - -- as - s-'Nl , '-il .Rim 'W' Today, Joplin, a city of nearly 50,000 population, is known as the Cross- roads of America and the Gateway to the Ozarks, the Land of a Million Smiles, because of its location at the intersection of highways 66 and 7l. Long recognized as one of the world's greatest lead and zinc mining capitals. Joplin recently has emerged as an important manufacturing, dairy, poultry. and livestock center. lt is now a marketing and distribution point for people of the four-state Empire district. The city has an excellent transportation system. fifty-four churches, repre- senting twenty religious faiths, four broadcasting stations, twenty-six hotels. three hospitals. a comprehensive library, eleven city parks, numerous civic and fraternal organizations. modern facilities for water, gas. and electricity. and desirable social and living standards. lts excellent system of schools includes twenty public schools, two parochial schools, two high schools. a junior college, a business college, and the Ozark Bible College. lts location near the beautiful Ozarks makes recreation facilities convenient. The mushroom 'Atown that jack built has become a center of trade and culture for the surrounding area. Joplin Today