History Treasure Hunt Recap

Event Recap

Historic Murphysburg Preservation celebrated Historic Preservation Month this May with a History Treasure Hunt inspired by Joshua Shackles’ book, *The Explorer’s Club*.

Participants explored the Murphysburg District while learning more about local history, historic homes, and the importance of preservation in Joplin. The event reflected HMP’s mission to promote, educate, and preserve the integrity of historic properties throughout the Murphysburg District and the wider Joplin community.

The treasure hunt challenged teams to check in at 11 different locations. The winning teams all completed the hunt within about 30 minutes of one another, with finish times of approximately 3 to 3½ hours.

Congratulations to our winners:

First Place: Team Fischer
Second Place: Team Zerkel
Third Place: Team Box

Great work to everyone who participated, explored, and helped celebrate the history of Murphysburg!

Historic Murphysburg Preservation’s vision is to help residents and visitors understand how history shapes, inspires, and informs the present. Through events like the History Treasure Hunt, HMP continues working to keep the District beautiful, inviting, inclusive, and safe for neighbors to live and visitors to explore.

Treasure Hunt Answer Guide

Revisit the 2026 history hunt at your own pace. These links open improved Place pages with the history, sources, access guidance, and available photographs for each clue.

1. Fairview Cemetery & Julius Fischer Tombstone
2. Schifferdecker Beer Picnic Gardens
3. First Major Lead Strike Marker at Landreth Park
4. The Cadi Klein House
5. Shamrock Inn Filling Station & Dale’s Ole 66 Barber Shop
6. Cragin Mansion & Neighborhood Life House
7. 1894 Jasper County Courthouse Cornerstone Marker
8. John Johnson House (Schifferdecker Gardener’s House)
9. John C. & Sarah Cox Homestead
10. Austin Allen Mausoleum at Mount Hope Cemetery