Thomas Cunningham profile from the Joplin History people archive.
Thomas W. Cunningham was born in Jasper County, Missouri, in 1845 and became one of Joplin's important early civic builders. After Civil War service and work in farming, mining, and business, he helped shape the growing city through banking, real estate, public office, and philanthropy.
Cunningham founded Cunningham National Bank in 1882, and the Cunningham Bank Building later became known as the Quinby Building. He also developed Cunningham Grove as an affordable residential area for miners and supported churches, a school, and St. John's Hospital.
As mayor of Joplin in 1897-1898 and again in 1903-1904, Cunningham promoted civic improvements including better roads. His best-known public gift was land for Cunningham Park, remembered as Joplin's first city park and still one of the city's most meaningful public spaces.