Celebrating National Historic Districts & Places That Matter

2025 Accomplishments | Activities | Events

January – Removed Christmas wreaths from utility poles at $150  *  Baby in the Bushes story (219 S. Sergeant in 1945)  published in the Show Me Route 66 magazine

February – Mary Anne represented HMP at the CVB “Connections” meeting

April – Baby in the Bushes story on KZRG TV (MSSU TV) aired on Newsmakers Show and KOAM TV

May – The Murphysburg Treasure Hunt profited around $740 with 42 participants with 7 volunteers  *  New Banners were installed by the City at a cost to HMP of $440 for the design process and $625 for the banners totaling $1,065; the City paid for the brackets and installation

June – Received a $2,500 grant from the Missouri Humanities Council for printing of a comprehensive booklet; edited/researched the booklet all year

July – Mary Anne and Paula represented HMP at the Route 66 Association meeting held in Joplin

September – Whisky & Whispers: A Reflection on Prohibition profited $3,403 hosting 60 guests with 8 volunteers  *  Salvaged architectural elements from the Jane Chinn House (circa 1893) in Webb City; some items already sold and donated with remaining items for sale


October – Murphysburg After Dark History Tour profited around $360 with 37 paying guests and kids that were free totaling about 45 guests  *  Mary Anne met with a tour planner to promote Murphysburg District

November – Presented the salvaged Jane Chinn monogramed transom to Webb City Area Genealogical Society  * Install Christmas wreaths on poles around Thanksgiving at $150  *  Received a $3,500 CVB for events between Nov 1, 2025 and Oct 31, 2026  *  Annual Meeting

December – Tea & Scandals: An Afternoon Tea with a Twist (and holiday homes tour of the James Dangerfield House) profited $3,000 with 80 guests and 10 volunteer’s. The tea was December 20, tickets were $40 per person

$1,709.00 banners & brackets Wreaths $500.00 Website

$418.00 insurance , about $5,000 to operate HMP for a year

A special thank you to our sponsors and volunteers

Second Annual Murphysburg Treasure Hunt

Help us celebrate Historic Preservation Month in May at the second annual Murphysburg Treasure Hunt, a race to solve riddles, uncover clues, and explore Joplin’s rich history.  The event starts at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026—rain or shine—in the west parking lot of Joplin City Hall, 602 S. Main Street.

Your host, Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc., has raised the bar this year by adding cash prizes for second and third place!

The event promises to take treasure seekers on an interactive adventure to find iconic historic sites, links to significant events and people, and hidden history stories in the Joplin metro area.  

At the start of the event contestants will receive their first riddle to solve that will lead them to a landmark. Once they arrive at the correct location, they will find a QR code. Scanning the code will unlock their next clue that will take them further along the treasure trail. The race continues until someone solves all the clues in the correct order and reaches the final destination—destination—thus claiming the $1,000 prize money! The second-place contestant
will receive $750 and third-place contestant will receive $250.

The treasure hunt is open to participants of all ages. The entry fee is $35 per person.

First place 2025 winners pictured to the right. Far right, Michelle Ferguson from Southwest Missouri Bank met the winners at the final clue to deliver the $1,000 prize!

Winners of the first Scavenger hunt with Michelle Ferguson from Southwest Missouri Bank to hand them the $1,000 1ts place prize

Register here to start the adventure . People can also pay in person on May 16 starting at 9:00 a.m. at the parking lot on the southeast corner of 6th and Joplin Avenue.  For questions contact Paula at paula@murphysburg.org

THE STORY OF EMMA SUE HILLS and MR. SWISS DRIVE-IN

In honor of Women’s History Month and Joplin’s Route 66 Centennial Celebration, Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. is proud to present the story of Dorothy Peck and Emma Sue Hills.  Dorothy and Emma Sue were not famous.  They were not civic activists or talented athletes, but they were successful business owners, managers, cooks, wives, and mothers who served people on “The Mother Road.”

EMMA SUE LEATHERWOOD HILLS

Emma was born on September 21, 1924 in Purcell, Missouri.  Her father passed away when she was only 13 causing her to quit school and go to work at the age of 14 for a pharmacist and his family in Carthage.  As an adult she started working at Meeker (Leather) Co. in Joplin.  One of her tasks was to glue leather billfolds which required bending over for long periods of time in a very hot environment. 

Emma Sue met Hugh Hills at Meeker Co. and they married in 1951.  Together they raised two daughters and one son. 

The long-time owner of Meeker Co., and former mayor of Joplin, was Freeman R. Johnson.  Through the years he came to appreciate how valuable Hugh was to the business and to Mr. Johnson personally.  When Mr. Johnson passed away in 1965, he bequeathed his garden tools and a generous dollar amount to Hugh.  Today Mr. Johnson’s legacy lives on through the Freeman R. Johnson Trust that he set up for the furtherance and development of charities, education, and municipal projects in the Joplin area.  The trust holds well over $1 million in assets.

According to an article on February 8, 1995 in the Joplin Globe, “The building was constructed in 1930 at 1101 East 7th Street on Route 66.  At its prime, Meeker Co. had more than 400 employees and distributed its leather goods to stores in 50 states and some foreign countries.  That work force dwindled to about 10 employees before the plant shut down in 1987.”  The building was razed in 1995. 


MR. SWISS COMES to 635 West 7th Street

One day Emma Sue’s nephew came to her and Hugh asking them to co-sign on a loan so he could buy a Mr. Swiss franchise in Joplin.  The Hills honored his request, but soon it became evident that the nephew was not a good business operator, therefore, in 1967 Emma Sue and Hugh decided to take over the Mr. Swiss operation.  Hugh visited the creditors and promised to pay them back in full, which he did.  

The Hills ran the restaurant for 20 years, first as a Mr. Swiss and then as Hillbilly Hills when Mr. Swiss went out of business.  The restaurant closed in 1987.  Currently the building, with its distinctive A-frame architecture, is extant and waiting for a new life. On August 16, 2007 at the age of 82, Emma Sue passed away at St. John’s Regional Medical Center, now known as Mercy Hospital.

DIVERSITY and KINDNESS on ROUTE 66

The Hills were generous to youngsters who stopped in.  Hugh would give kids a paper sack and tell them to help themselves to ice cream treats made at the store that were sold from a freezer case.  However, at times Emma Sue would need to remind her husband that they were running a for-profit business. Hugh passed away on April 22, 2025 at the age of 99.

Just like the Peck children, daughter Conni started working at Mr. Swiss at 15 years old, daughter Cathy at 13 years old, and son Tom at 12 years old.  When Hugh opened a second Mr. Swiss at 130 N. Range Line Road, Emma Sue took over supervising the 7th Street location.  The family worked hard seven days a week but did find time for some fun.  Conni Hills Lipe remembers that employees of the 7th Street location would come over to the Range Line location for occasional water balloon fights. 
The Hills understood that being community minded was also good advertising.  The Hills frequently sponsored pee wee teams, women’s and men’s softball teams, and men’s bowling teams.  The team’s name was Joplin Mr. Swiss or Mr. Swiss.  Around the 1970s it was common for such teams to be named for their sponsors, usually that of local businesses. 

SPAGHETTI RED

Pictured: The famous Fred & Red’s Spaghetti Red

*Spaghetti Red is spaghetti noodles topped with a slow cooked meat sauce.  The sauce is a type of chili without beans.  The plate is served with optional dill pickles, sliced onions, grated parmesan cheese, and ketchup.  The sauce does not have tomatoes but is prepared with William’s Chili Seasoning (invented in Joplin) and crushed up soda crackers that soak up the meat grease. Yummy!  Recipes vary and are closely guarded.  Spaghetti Red is still served on alignments of Route 66 in Joplin.  You can enjoy a plate at Fred & Red’s, 1719 S. Main Street and at Stogey’s Coney Island, 2629 E. 7th Street.

When “No Reservations” television food host Anthony Bourdain (1956-2018) came to Joplin in 2010 he stopped at Fred & Red’s.  The episode aired in March 2011.  After sampling a plate of Spaghetti Red, he announced it was “heart attack on a plate.”  OK—so what’s your point Anthony?

Mr. Swiss Menu
Mr. Swiss Menu

After Emma Sue’s death in 2007, Hugh remained active with his lawn service.  Just like Dorothy, Hugh also miraculously survived the Joplin tornado.  He sheltered in a bedroom closet!  Unfortunately, his house, photographs, and his Mr. Swiss mementos were destroyed.  Seven days after the tornado, President Barack Obama toured Joplin and spoke to Hugh in front of his destroyed house.  A photograph with the President and Hugh can still be viewed by searching “Joplin tornado” on Wikipedia.

Dylan Hills shaking President Obama’s hand.

Final Thoughts
Travel writer Sage Scott said it best, “The iconic Mother Road wouldn’t be what it is today without the women who helped shape it.  From musicians and motel owners to restaurateurs and preservationists, their contributions continue to inspire every traveler who sets out on America’s most famous highway.” 

James & Mary Anne Dangerfield House

405 S. Moffet Avenue circa 1890 | Queen Anne

James H. Dangerfield (1842-1909 MH) and his wife Mary Anne Newman Dangerfield (1842-1908 MH) were born in England. After moving to Joplin, James engaged in mining and later launched a real estate business which grew to include loans, insurance, rentals, collections, leases on mining land, and construction. James’s office was at this house. Their son, Edward Dangerfield (1870-1955 MH) and his wife Blanch lived here with (and later without) his parents. Edward was active in the father/son duo’s business. Edward was a director of Mount Hope Cemetery and one of the founders. Edward married second wife Alma Smith (1879-1964 MH) in 1920.

Tea & Scandals story

 “Whisky & Whispers: A Reflection on Prohibition”

Step back in time and party like it is 1933!  Yay! The18th Amendment has been repealed!  Joplinites can enjoy the free flow of liquor again! Celebrate with us at a Whisky Tasting & Food Pairing event on Saturday, September 27 at 6:30 p.m. hosted by Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. Whisky & Whispers: A Reflection on Prohibition will be held at The Main Event, 611 South Main Street in downtown Joplin on Historic Missouri Route 66. 1930’s dress attire is welcomed.

Grant Testerman, our whisky sommelier will facilitate the event by teaching guests how to enjoy various types of whisky and food that is best paired with them. Included in the tasting, 5 top shelf Whiskies, Wilders signature whisky tasting glasses, food pairings, tasting note cards, and history interpreters will be provided. Guests can also purchase raffle tickets before and during the event for a chance to take home premium bottles of specialty whiskies and more.

Your $125 ticket will include 5 whisky tastings & food pairings.  Our top shelf libations are from Japan, Kentucky, Ireland (the Quiet Man 8 Year), and Tom’s Town Distillery out of Kansas City, Missouri. Our feature is the “unicorn” Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon.  The food pairings will bring out the flavor of these choice liquors. Our commemorative tasting glasses are sponsored by Wilder’s Steakhouse.  Every taster will receive a commemorative glass with the historic Wilders Steakhouse logo. Our guests will learn how Vern Wilder played a colorful roll in in Joplin during Prohibition!

If you don’t want to be in on the tasting but want to come and have fun and learn about prohibition, purchase a $50 companion ticket.  It will include 2 bootlegger drinks sponsored Tall Pines Distillery (peach moonshine). 

All  guests will be treated to a harvest of beautiful charcutiers style food & great music. The Main Event will have their bar open to purchase beverages to keep the fun going through the evening.  

Thank you Wilder’s Steakhouse & Tall Pines Distillery out of Pineville, Missouri!

Whisky tasting & pairing ticket
Companion ticket
$20 for 1 Whisk(e)y raffle
$50 for 3 Whisk(e)y raffle

TICKETING – Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door for $125 per person for the whisky tasting, special seating. $50 per person for a companion bar & couch seating. Guests must be 21 years old to attend. Be prepared to show ID. For tickets or additional info contact paula@murphysburg.org or by calling Paula Callihan at (417) 208-9376. Check out website for updates at murphysburg.org

The Volstead Act and the 18th Amendment caused the sale and consumption of liquor to become illegal and was commonly referred to as “Prohibition.”  All liquor sales had to end by January 16, 1920.  However, local newspapers reported that after Prohibition was ratified, Joplin remained a “wet oasis” in the Four-State thanks to bootlegging. 

But many residents saw the benefit of having the country and Joplin go “dry.”  Men and women were active in the Anti-Saloon League of America and the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.  One of the slogans attributed to the WCTU is “Lips that touch whiskey are lips that will never touch mine.” Prohibition ended with the 21st Amendment in 1933. 

How do you like your whisky?  Drinking whiskey is a personal experience – there’s no right or wrong way to drink whiskey as long as you savor the flavor.

Neat: Room temperature with nothing added allows you to experience its full complex flavor profile.

On The Rocks: Adding ice chills the whisky, providing a refreshing drink that slowly dilutes the spirit as the ice melts, want a slower melts try a big cube.

With a Slash of Water: A small splash of water can mellow the whisky’s harshness and help release its subtle aromas and flavors

Whisky Stones: Freezer safe cubes made of soapstone, metal or marble provide chill without diluting your spirit.