Celebrating National Historic Districts & Places That Matter

Helena Apartment House and Dance & Music Studio

One of the most unique structures in the Murphysburg Historic District is the Helena Apartments, built on a 50 x 125-foot lot, tightly tucked in between two historic houses.

In September 1937, a Joplin Globe classified advertisement read, “Unfurnished Apartments – NEW apartment, ready October 1st, $40. Helena Apartments, 509 Moffet.”  In October 1937 another advertisement read, “Unfurnished Apartments – Helena Apartments, four large rooms, bath, garage, $35.00.  507 Moffet.”

HELEN NUTZ and her story – Helen was born on February 14, 1924 in Joplin and died on March 13, 2023 at the age of 99 years old.  

Even though Helen was 13 years old when the Helena was built, she ran advertisements in Joplin newspapers that read, “Helen Nutz – Teacher of Dance And Music – will open her fall classes September 20 in her new building.  Helena Studios – 505 Moffet.”  Helen’s half-sister, Adele, said Helen was “talented and precocious.”  Helen continued her love of dance and was active in ballroom dancing into her 80s! 

THE HELENA and its story – According to the Joplin Globe on September 12, 1937, “Above is pictured an unusual combination apartment house and dance studio, built by James Nutz at 505 Moffet Avenue.  It was designed primarily for his daughter, Miss Helen Nutz, who will conduct a dance-music school in a specially built air-conditioned and sound-proofed studio on the main floor of the two-story section of the building.  The building is U-shaped, with two gabled one-story wings, each with six apartments, and the two-story section in the rear with two apartments above the studio.  The building is of brick.  It has been named the Helena Apartments.”

Helen’s 1941 graduation picture

Helen graduated from Joplin High School in 1941 and from Joplin Junior College in 1943.  She was accomplished on the piano and violin and performed in numerous concerts in the Joplin area.  During World War II, she was a Junior U.S.O. Hostess.

Helen married her first husband, Marion Phillips in June 1947 and they lived in Joplin.  He was a professional golfer and they had two sons.  After the couple divorced, Helen moved to California to be near her brothers.  She remarried Bert Windle in the 1960s, another professional golfer.  Helen divorced Bert and later married Joseph Campbell, a man who was a New York City Deputy Police Chief.

JAMES NUTZ and his story – James F. Nutz, Sr. (1897-1969) owned and operated Nutz Reality along with his brother Ralph Nutz, and later with his second wife Louise, and daughter Helen.  James was a skilled builder, a veteran of World War I, and an airplane mechanic during World War II.  James’ first wife and mother of Helen was Pauline Griffin Nutz.  Pauline died of tuberculosis in 1928 at the age of 28.

According to Louise Nutz, James and his brother, Ralph, were skilled builders.  Also, according to James’s daughter, Adele her father understood how to build with concrete more than building with wood.  This could explain why the Helena Apartments, the Adele Apartments, and the Glen Theater (see sidebars below) have a bunker-style construction design!

James Nutz also built the Adele Apartments at 215 North Sergeant in 1955 and is still in use in 2026.  It was named for his daughter Adele who was born from the union of James and his second wife Louise.  In an April 2026 interview with Adele Nutz Thompson, she said, “I laid some of the brickwork for the Adele.”
Also built by James Nutz around 1946 —that can still be seen in 2026—is the movie theater at 1413 South Main Street.  Originally, he named it “The Show.” The Joplin Globe reported on November 13, 1949 that the Dickenson Operating Company purchased the theater and renamed it the “Glen Theater.”  At that time the new owner completely remodeled and redecorated in an ultra-modernistic style.  The lobby was redecorated largely with mirrors, and the theater front was also remodeled.

The Glen Theater is not to be confused with the Rex Theater that was a few doors to the south at 1423 S. Main.

WOMEN ON JOPLIN’S ROUTE 66

TIMELINE

Historic Route 66: 1926 to 1985

Dorothy Peck at Mac’s Pie Shop-Bakery-Donuts: 1957 to 1984

Emma Sue Hills at Mr. Swiss & Hillbilly Hills: 1967 to 1987

In honor of Women’s History Month and Joplin’s Route 66 Centennial Celebration, Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. will proudly present two stories. The first story is about Dorothy Peck, who along with her husband, co-owned and operated Mac’s Bakery and Donuts from 1957 to 1984. The store was located at 701 West 7th Street on Route 66, which is also the gateway to the Murphysburg Historic District. At Mac’s you could enjoy a freshly made pie, cake, or donut with your cup of coffee. During the last three decades of Route 66’s official years there were many “mom and pop” bakeries in Joplin, but it is Mac’s that locals still remember.

Between 1957 and 1987, travelers got their kicks on Joplin’s Route 66 by stopping at Mac’s Bakery & Donuts and at Mr. Swiss Drive-In.  At Mac’s you could enjoy a freshly made pie, cake, or donut with your cup of coffee.  At Mr. Swiss you could eat a traditional hamburger with fries and ice cream, or a plate of Spaghetti Red.  What—you don’t know what Spaghetti Red is?  

Both establishments were on opposite corners of South Sergeant Avenue and West 7th Street, an important Joplin and Route 66 economic corridor.  The establishments were also on the southern edge of what is now the residential Murphysburg Historic District, considered a Route 66 complementary corridor.  During the last three decades of Route 66’s official years there were many “mom and pop” bakeries, but it is Mac’s that locals still remember. 

THE STORY OF DOROTHY PECK AND MAC’S BAKERY
THE STORY OF EMMA SUE HILLS and MR. SWISS DRIVE-IN

May 2011 Joplin Tornado Crashes Into Dorothy’s Life and Hugh’s Life

Michelle, another daughter, said after the tornado Dorothy continued her life of kindness toward others and the ability to “take charge.” Immediately after the tornado, she gave shelter and medical attention to her injured and crippled neighbors.  She used every towel she owned to treat their wounds and blankets to comfort them—all this at the age of 89 years old!  After the Redwood apartments were completely rebuilt, Dorothy returned to live there.
Dorothy’s beloved Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints building (Joplin Stake Center), where she was a member, also took a direct hit.

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.

Just a few days after the E-F5 tornado struck Joplin, family and friends were helping clear debris and try to save family heirlooms. Photo left to right. Daughter in-law, Kristen Hills, daughter, Conni Lipe, grandson, Dylan Hills, President Obama, friend, Mark Callihan, Hugh Hills and son Tom Hills.

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.” 

THE STORY OF DOROTHY PECK AND MAC’S BAKERY

In honor of Women’s History Month and Joplin’s Route 66 Centennial Celebration, Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. will proudly present two stories. The first story is about

Dorothy was born in 1921 in St. Joseph, Missouri, graduated from Central High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1939 and married Wallace Peck in 1941.  Together they raised six children.  Dorothy would bring the children to Mac’s Bakery and they all worked there while growing up. 

 It was truly a family business.  In a November 2025 interview with Terri Holgate, one of the Peck’s daughters, she said, “It was a happy business because people bought cakes for celebrations.”    

Terri further explained that her mother preferred to remain “behind the scenes.” Dorothy was self-taught from books.  She developed recipes to make them better like the icing used on the cakes.  The recipe remains a family secret.  Besides baking, decorating, parenting, plus managing the books and finances, Dorothy found time to teach cake decorating.  Terri described her mother as fearless, driven, and very honest.

In a March 2026 interview with Michelle Peck Endicott, another one of Dorothy’s daughters, she relayed the story of how Dorothy would manage the daily cash intake.  Every night Dorothy would put the cash in her purse and carry it around all week!  By Sunday, Dorothy’s shoulder was weighed down from carrying the purse.  On Sunday the family would sit around the table and sort the money so it could be deposited on Monday.  It was Dorothy’s idea to locate their store on Route 66 because she thought it would draw a lot of traffic.

DIVERSITY and KINDNESS on ROUTE 66

Dorothy was always giving away donuts, especially to children.  One day a little boy wanted a gingerbread house so much that Dorothy gave it to him for free.  It normally sold for $20.  The gift “put the boy into ecstasy.” 

Some customers were low income while some came from the wealthier parts of town.  While Dorothy embraced the diversity of the neighborhood around 7th and Sergeant, she would ask “panhandlers” in front of her business to come to the back door where she would give them coffee and donuts.

On May 11, 2017 at the age of 95, Dorothy passed away at a daughter’s home following an illness.

“MAC’S” — WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Wallace and Dorothy purchased Mac’s Pie Shop in 1957 from Harry and Flora Thurston.  Three years earlier the Thurston’s purchased the pie business from O. F. MacLendon, thus the name “Mac’s.”  When the Pecks retired in 1984, their daughter Terri Peck Holgate and her husband Robert took over for the next 30 years. 

After MacLendon was no longer affiliated with the business, customers would still ask for “Mac,” so Wallace adopted the nickname of “Mac” and later so did Robert because it was easier than the explanation.  The first line in Wallace’s obituary read, “Wallace Townes “Mac” Peck, age 82 of Joplin, passed away…”

Tools of the trade
Tools of the trade

May 2011 Joplin Tornado Crashes Into Dorothy’s Life

As the Joplin EF5 Tornado developed on May 22, 2011, Dorothy watched the sky from her Redwood Apartment Complex.  At the advice of her granddaughter who lived upstairs, Dorothy moved to her bathroom just before the tornado hit the complex.  The deadly tornado also damaged approximately one-third of the city.  As Terri said, her mother was fearless.  While the complex sustained major damage and some buildings were totally destroyed, her individual unit survived the storm.  Only one plate broke and Dorothy was unharmed.  Michelle, another daughter, said after the tornado Dorothy continued her life of kindness toward others and the ability to “take charge.” Immediately after the tornado, she gave shelter and medical attention to her injured and crippled neighbors.  She used every towel she owned to treat their wounds and blankets to comfort them—all this at the age of 89 years old!  After the Redwood apartments were completely rebuilt, Dorothy returned to live there. Dorothy’s beloved Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints building (Joplin Stake Center), where she was a member, also took a direct hit. 

The Legacy of Jo Kilbane: A Life of Service in Joplin

Women’s History Month featuring Mary Joanne Kilbane

Were you delivered by Dr. Irvin Kilbane either at home or in a hospital? Do you know the story about the woman behind the doctor? 

In commemoration of Women’s History Month, Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. presents the life and work of Mary Joanne “Jo” Booher Kilbane, also known to the Joplin community as Dr. Irvin Kilbane’s wife, nurse, and assistant.  Jo was born in Cerro Gordo, Illinois in 1927.  She claimed to have been born in the same bed in which her mother was born.  She attended high school in Peoria, Illinois.  Jo married Bernard Rosenak in 1945 and they moved to Joplin in 1952.

According to Joplin City Directories, Jo worked at Reserve Life Insurance in 1963.  When Joplin General Hospital at 521 W. 4th Street closed in 1963, Dr. Kilbane moved his medical practice to his house at 420 S. Byers Avenue.  In 1964 Jo started as a laboratory technician at Dr. Kilbane’s office, and in 1965 her job was listed as a receptionist.  Jo and Irv were married on September 8, 1966.  She completed her education and received her License Practical Nursing certification and license from the Missouri State Board of Nursing in 1971.  Jo assisted her husband in his medical practice until he retired in 2003.  Irv was born in 1915 and passed away in 2005.

Lori and Jeremy Haun, current owners of the Kilbane’s former house and medical office, proudly display the doctor’s sign in the house.

Jo brought five children to the marriage and Irv brought three, but through the years, the couple fostered many children.  In a Joplin Globe interview published on July 21, 2002, Jo tells the following story: “Irv delivered the baby, a girl.  The mother was single and white. [The baby’s father was African American.] She was dealing with some family issues and felt she couldn’t cope with raising a baby.  She and the baby stayed with us for a while.”  When the mother decided to join the military, she left the baby with the Kilbanes.  “We had her for seven years and felt like she was ours.  We were in the process of trying to adopt her when the mother came home and decided to take her back.”

Irv never converted to the Jewish faith, but because he was a member of a Jewish family, he is buried with Jo in the Jewish section at Mount Hope Cemetery in Webb City, and both of their names were placed on the “In Memoriam” plaque at the temple in Joplin.

Jo was active in the United Hebrew Congregation and the Temple Aid Sisterhood.  The Sisterhood sponsored bake sales, cookbook sales, and food fairs.  Jo was particularly known for her homemade cheesecakes, making around 50 cakes every year for friends, family, and bake sales.  Often times the cheesecakes were garnished with pansies from her yard.

The Kilbanes were also considered an “interfaith couple”— Jo was Jewish and Irv was a Methodist.  What would have been a major challenge for any blended family, Jo and Irv made it work with a sophisticated schedule.  According to a Joplin Globe interview with Jo printed on June 22, 1997, she said Irv attended temple (United Hebrew Congregation Temple at 702 S. Sergeant) with her on Friday evenings when he wasn’t delivering babies. On Sunday, he dropped her children off at temple for Hebrew lessons, then took his children to St. James Methodist Church for Sunday school.  Irv then returned home for Jo and she accompanied him to Sunday church services.  The Kilbanes celebrated both Christmas and Hanukkah while their children were young.

The former Oak Hill Hospital in Joplin—where Dr. Kilbane served as chief of staff—also benefited from Jo’s volunteer service through the hospital’s auxiliary.  The auxiliary staffed a gift shop, held ham and bean suppers, spaghetti-chili dinners, bazaars, art auctions, bake sales, ice cream socials, and made tray favors for patients.  The money raised by the auxiliary funded the purchase of medical and educational equipment and supplies needed at the hospital.        

In 1979 the Newburger building was razed and the City built a new structure that stands today.  Carver School eventually closed in 2004 due to the lack of sufficient income and the expansion of the Head Start program.   

For many years she was a volunteer and board member of George Washington Carver Memorial Nursery School, formerly located at 520 S. School Avenue in Joplin’s Ewert Park.  The school was formed for children of working Black families.  The mission was eventually expanded to include all children.  According to a Joplin Globe article on May 4, 1952 when the school moved into the Newburger Community House, the concept of the school started around 1926 on the “…dreams and hopes of the Negro citizens…”  Prior to the donation of land and money by Viola Newman Newburger and her late husband, Gabe Newburger, the school was held in a pavilion at Ewert Park. 

Another example of Jo’s commitment to education was as a board member of Women in Community Service, Inc. (WICS).  WICS was started in Joplin in June 1966 by the National Councils of Church Women United to serve as Job Corps recruiters to help find jobs for underprivileged girls 16 to 21 years old.  Jo represented the Council of Jewish Women on the WICS board.  Also on the board was Minnie Hackney representing the Council of Negro Women.  Girls attending Job Corps training centers were given transportation, room and board, some clothing, medical and dental expenses and $30 a month.  Girls were accepted for the Job Corps who had completed high school, but who had not obtained job skills, or who had dropped out of school.  Girls in the centers who had not completed high school could acquire an equivalent to a high school diploma.

Amber Ashby grew up at 419 S. Moffet, across the alley to the west of the Kilbane home and office.  She worked for Dr. Kilbane for over 18 years up to his retirement.  Her sister, Deanna Doss also worked for the doctor.  When interviewed for this story, Amber said, “Jo was a one-of-a-kind lady, very unique, and you always knew where you stood with her.” 

Amber further stated, “The yard was another love of Jo’s; it was always well manicured and one year she had hundreds of tulips planted along with pansies, rose bushes, and peonies.”  In June of 1996, the Kilbane yard was part of a garden tour featuring bird houses, perennial beds, window boxes, and container planting.

Jo was also known for their collection of antiques: furniture, children’s toys and furniture, clothes, musical instruments, kitchen utensils, miniature figures, fine china, sewing machines, portraits, photographs on tin plates…and 35 stoves.  At their Murphysburg home, there was at least one antique stove in every room.

Amber further reported, “If anyone else had such a large collection of antiques in their house, it would look like a hoarder lived there, but Jo made the house look like a livable museum.”  She would have a small trinket box or basket sitting on a table with smaller trinkets inside.  “There was never an empty ‘anything’ in the house.” 

Mary Joanne passed away in 2013 after a long struggle with Alzheimer Disease—and after a long history of family and community service.  According to her obituary in The Joplin Globe, “Her home was always open, and there was always room at her table and a brisket in the freezer [ready to cook for company, events, or funerals.]  She gave her children and grandchildren her infectious joy and sense of humor for the human condition, and encouraged and supported each of them to be whoever they wanted to be.”

Photograph of the Kilbane House looking west. The Medical Office is the detached red brick building pictured in the upper right corner of the property.

HISTORY OF THE HOUSE AT 420 S. BYERS AVENUE & ITS DOCTORS

The red brick house was built around 1890 in the Queen Anne style and was designed by the local architect, C. W. Kellog.  The first owner of this elaborate house was a dry goods merchant, Simon Schwartz and his wife Hennie. 

The second owner, John Graham (1872-1917) was a wholesale grocer and horse lover.  In 1898, Mr. Graham constructed an elegant brick stable at the back of the property to accommodate his beloved horses. 

The next owner, Dr. Samuel Ashby Grantham (1866-1938), housed his medical office in the parlor of the main house but in 1916, relocated it to the stable.  Dr. Grantham, an orthopedic surgeon, constructed a blacksmith shop above the office where he could make the pins and braces he needed for his many patients.  When Dr. Grantham died, his younger son, Sam, took over the practice.

Dr. Irvine Kilbane (1915-2005) purchased the house and “stable” on September 22, 1963, just four days after Joplin General Hospital closed, most likely with the plan of moving his practice to Dr. Grantham’s former medical office.  Through the years, he made house calls and answered late night emergencies.  He provided immunizations, conducted examinations, performed lab work, and did minor surgeries at his home office.  Jo’s job was to make sure the clinic (and her husband!) operated smoothly.

After Dr. Kilbane’s death, and after Jo moved out of the house, the Kilbane/Rosenak children auctioned off the house and its contents in 2007.

The Mayflower Apartments

Original Owners: Harry Bennett and Richard Cole, both of Joplin
Opened February 1, 1929 Originally, the name was to be the “Colben” based on Cole and Bennett’s last names but was changed to “Mayflower” once construction started.

In October 1928, investors were sought for the Mayflower through bonds guaranteed by Cole Bennett Investment Company—“two responsible businessmen whose net worth exceeds the amount of the bond issue.” Maturity was to be from 1931 to 1938 with a yield of 5.8% to 6%. To put that timeline in perspective—and simply defined—the beginning of America’s “Great Depression” is often cited as the dramatic crash of the stock market on October 24, 1929 known as “Black Thursday” and October 29, 1929 known as “Black Tuesday.” Economic recovery started around World War II in 1939-1940.

Excerpts from a Joplin Globe August 24, 1928 news article —

The owners announced the many modern details that the 48 unit (with one unit in the basement for a live-in service attendant/janitor), six-story, fire-proof, concrete construction apartment building will have. The apartments range from compact type studios, buffet kitchen bachelor units to larger units with separate bedrooms and numerous closets. Electric refrigeration will be in each apartment and convenient service closets with “immediate incineration of all kitchen and other accumulation.” Each unit to have “sound proofing.” The laundry room will be in the basement.

The property is to be attractively landscaped in addition to the wooded character of the property to the south.

The exterior architecture is faced with tapestry brick and ornamental stone on all four sides. An interesting grouping of windows permits floods of daylight, plus the stairs are daylighted. There is a colonnade of stone columns along 5th Street and a great stone circular arch. Inside, the marble foyer welcomes tenants and guests to the attractively furnished public lounge and electric elevator.

FIRE! FIRE! While the original news release touted the building to be fireproof—through the years—structure fires occurred on July 12, 1958 and December 29, 1958, but the most significant fire was on April 24, 2006. The fire chief said a cigarette was believed to have ignited the couch in the basement laundry room. Around 60 people were evacuated from 40 occupied units. Heat damage to the electrical wiring on all six floors forced the building to close until it could be “rewired.” The First United Methodist Church at 501 West 4th Street set up a temporary shelter for those in need. As of January 2025, a small portion of the Mayflower is re-occupied.

Automobiles and the carport also succumbed to fires in 2013 and 2022.

Bennett and Cole also owned and managed the Koronado Kourts in Joplin, San Antonio, and
Corpus Christi. The Joplin location was famous for being an iconic Route 66 travel court, circa 1936. The present-day Joplin site is now occupied by the Walmart Super Center at 1717 West 7th Street.

BIOGRAPHIES
Harry M. Bennett was born in 1891 and died on April 5, 1979. He is buried at Mount Hope
Cemetery in Webb City. His first wife was Martha, second wife was Jane, and he married his
third wife, Catherine when he was 63 years old. He and Catherine eventually moved from their
prestigious address in Joplin’s Roanoke Addition (616 Islington Place) to San Antonio, Texas.
Mr. Bennett continued to own the Mayflower after Mr. Cole’s premature death in 1944.
According to the 1920 US Census, Mr. Bennett’s occupation was listed as a druggist at a drug
store. Later his occupations were in insurance, real estate, and investments.


Richard Windom “Dick” Cole was born on February 23, 1889 and died of Leukemia on
August 15, 1944 in San Antonio, Texas at the young age of 53. His wife, Mamie Evelyn Windle
Cole was born on February 1, 1896 in Pittsburg, Kansas. She graduated from Joplin High
School in 1914. She died on March 17, 1980 in Corpus Christi, Texas at the age of 84. She was
well traveled. Dick and Mamie eventually moved from their prestigious address in Joplin’s
Roanoke Addition (629 Jaccard Place) to the Mayflower around 1940, and later to San Antonio,
Texas. According to the 1920 US Census, Mr. Cole’s occupation was also that of a druggist—
just like his business partner Harry Bennett.