Celebrating National Historic Districts & Places That Matter

417 E. 23417 E. 23rd

Another structure that Mr. Nutz designed and built with concrete and brick around 1953 was a nursing home located at 417 E. 23rd Street.  It overlooked Joplin High School.  On May 22, 2011 the house wasn’t hit by a bomb but was hit by the EF5 Joplin Tornado. In a 2007 Joplin Globe interview with Louise Nutz, she said that the Adele was so well built with concrete that it could, “take a direct bomb hit!” The same could have been said about the structure that was at 23rd & Grand.

  • Mediterranean/Spanish style quatrefoil windows
  • Exterior staircases had matching decorative metal railings
  • Arched door ways
  • Interior had a curved staircase
  • Garden
  • Entryway
  • Foyer
  • Therapy pool
  • Concrete roof with devastated Parkwood High School in the distance in the
  • Totla devastation all around this concrete & rebar construction
  • Brick fireplace and surround
  • Local historians and Nutz family members had hoped that the structure could be saved
  • Much of the structure survived the tornado
  • The structure was demolished due to the high cost of rebuilding such unique construction.

The interior had a curved staircase, brick fireplace and surround, an indoor therapy pool, wall sconces, built in bookcases, and curved archways throughout.  The interior and exterior staircases had matching decorative metal railings.  Matching stylized (operable) Mediterranean/Spanish style quatrefoil windows flanked the front door.   

Much of the structure survived the tornado, unlike traditionally built houses in the neighborhood.  Photographs of the nursing home were taken five months after the tornado by Paula Callihan.  Local historians and Nutz family members had hoped that the structure could be saved, but it was ultimately demolished due to the high cost of rebuilding such unique construction. 

The nursing home had many names through the years starting as Turner Rest Home, then Grand Rest Home, Grandview Nursing Home, and Maddox Nursing Home.  

Between 1974 and 1977, Gordan Dean Stinson operated the Stinsonic Talent Agency in the building.  According to the Billboard-World of Country Music publication, Mr. Stinson was a personal manager and booking agent.  In a 1974 Joplin Globe article, Mr. Stinson “claimed” to have been the former manager of Johnny Paycheck.  While we cannot confirm his association with the musician, it makes for a good story.  Born Donald Eugene Lytle, Johnny Paycheck (1938-2003) was a singer and songwriter in the “outlaw movement” in country music.  He is best known for his 1977 recording of “Take This Job and Shove It” written by David Allan Coe.    

James Nutz also built the Kozy Kort Apartments at 1210-1212 S. Joplin Avenue around 1934.  In 1935, he added a second floor to the units.  At some point, it was razed.

2024 HMP Accomplishments

HISTORY—Because That’s What We Do

“Celebrating the Architecture & History of the Houses in the Murphysburg Historic District” booklet (printed & electronic version) will be released around January 2025 and will feature 58 properties in the district.

Conducted historical research for the new owner of the Cosgrove Building (former Spiva Center for the Arts) and a house in the North Heights Neighborhood. 

Assisted in gaining historic designation and signage for homeowners.

HMP annual meeting featured Sherwood/Rader Farm Civil War Memorial Park and the future monument offering the Union perspective on the Battle of Carthage.  The monument is to be installed at the Jasper County Courthouse and will complement the Sons of Confederate Veterans existing monument.

HIGHWAYS & BYWAYS

Check out the new Jefferson Highway Wayfinder sign at 4th Street & Moffet Avenue.

Plans are underway for the 100th anniversary of Route 66 (West 7th Street) in 2026 via the City’s Celebration Commission for Historic Route 66.

Submitted a story to the National Trust for Historic Preservation “Preserve Route 66: Share Your Story” campaign about the George N. Spiva House (611 S. Sergeant) and the district as a Route 66 Complementary Corridor.  Mr. Spiva was the first vice-president of the Missouri 66 Highway Association. 

HMP attended Byways Leadership Training Program hosted by Joplin Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB).

Represented HMP at the Route 66 Association of Missouri membership meeting.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day, October 14 – Read about the life of Jere Charlow, the original owner of 101 S. Sergeant, on the HMP website.  A member of the Sioux Tribe, Jere graduated in 1898 from the Haskell Institute that was a residential boarding school in Lawrence, Kansas for American Indian children.  In Joplin, Jere was a bookkeeper for Picher Lead Company.  When Jere and family left Joplin, he become a clerk with the U. S. Indian Service-Cheyenne Agency in Dewey, South Dakota.  Upon his death, he was a special disbursement agent for the U. S. Government Interior Department in Lansing, Michigan.

SPECIAL DAYS ON THE CALENDAR

International Holocaust Remembrance Day, January 27 –  Presented the story about two Jewish brothers that survived Nazi terrorism in Berlin, Germany during World War II and found a new life at 204 S. Jackson in Joplin.  Media coverage included KGCS TV Newsmaker show, KSN TV Living Well show & evening news broadcast, KOAM TV news, the Joplin Globe, and KRPS Radio.  Full story is on HMP website.

Women’s History Month – In March, HMP revealed the untold story of three women who discovered an abandoned baby in the bushes at 219 S. Sergeant in 1945—a mystery that is still unsolved today!  Photograph and story were featured in the Joplin Globe.  Full story is on HMP website.  The story also explains better alternatives available in 2024 such as the new “Safe Haven Baby Box” at Joplin Fire Station No. 7. 

Historic Preservation Month in May-People Saving Places – HMP honored five homeowners of houses that were 120 and 125 years old.  Full story is on HMP website.

Murphysburg Holiday Wreaths, hung on street light poles for November and December 2024.

JOPLIN CITY GOVERNMENT STUFF

  • Connected our neighbors to the Joplin Homeowner Rehabilitation Program-2 (JHRP-2)
  • Facilitated non-traditional public service announcement for the Joplin Police Department about Porch Pirates during the holidays. regarding financial assistance. 
  • Hosted a public meeting for the Joplin Homeowners Assistance Program (JHAP).
  • Wrote a letter of support for the HUD Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant.
  •  Hosted a public meeting for Joplin’s Capital Improvement Sales Tax Renewal. Represented the district at CVB’s “Tourism Connection Gathering.”

Assisted in the Downtown Joplin Alliance loft tour.  Represented the district at the Connect2Culture Annual Gathering.

  • Manage communications, inquiries about houses for sale, Joplin history & media inquiries. 
  • Welcomed new Murphysburg homeowners with historical documentation on their house and general HMP membership information. Qualified for donation sources such as Benevity.
  • Interface with North Heights Neighborhood Group, Downtown Joplin Alliance, City of Joplin, Joplin Historical Neighborhoods, Inc., Connect 2 Culture, Blue Haven Homes & Bykota, REI (the Olivia Apartments) and many other community organizations/projects.
  • Welcomed new Murphysburg homeowners with historical documentation on their house and general HMP membership information. Qualified for donation sources such as Benevity.
  • Manage Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Mail Chimp, HMP website, liability
    insurance, storage unit, and more

FUTURE PROJECT

Tactile exhibit aimed at engaging neurodivergent citizens in historic architectural elements.


Volunteers are needed for HMP 2025 Third Saturday FUNDRAISERS

  • March 15: Celebrate Historic Preservation Month| The Murphysburg Treasure Hunt. Unlock the Secrets of Joplin’s Historic Past and Win $$$$$$
  • September 27: Whisky & Whispers Murphysburg Prohibition Night
  • October 11: Murphysburg After Dark : Tales of Spirits and Secrets
  • December 20: A Murphysburg ..Tea & Scandal

2014-15 HMP List of accomplishments

October 2014: Membership meeting was held at the Bonnie & Clyde Hideout 3347 1⁄2 Oak Ridge Drive. Brad Belk as our guest speaker
Dec: DickensFest 2014 with 3,000 guests. We partnered with the Scottish Rite Cathedral for our venue
February 2015: Unanimous vote by the Missouri Advisory Council approved the Murphysburg
March: Nominated Joplin Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year, Non-Profit Category
April: Sponsored a Joplin Chamber of Commerce banquet centerpiece
May: Historic Preservation Month HMP celebrated by participating with the Papaw- Patch Productions with a Ribbon cutting Step back in time to the 1940s as our cast re-create a fashion show that Joplin author Mabel Hobson Draper and friends offered to review her book, Though Long the Trail. The book described her mother’s pioneering life from traveling across the plains and living in a Kansas sod house, to navigating the random chat piles and gaping holes of the early mines in Joplin. Local women, dressed in original and reproduction clothing from the 1860s to the 1940s, shared selected readings from the book.
May: Murphysburg received a proclamation from the Mayor for National Historic Preservation Month Joplin City Hall, 602 S Main St. The Murphysburg Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 18 by the National Park Service. The district is roughly located between Sergeant and Pearl Avenues, and First and Seventh Streets.
May: Hosted social gathering for the quarterly meeting for the Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
June: Ribbon cutting for the nomination to the National Register of Historic Places at the Lennan House with 50 guests
June: National Register of Historic Places designation was finalized for the Expanded Murphysburg Historic District
October: HMP Board was represented at the annual MO Preservation Conference in Cape Girardeau
October 30 & 31: Mr. Charles Schifferdecker, Remembered & Revisited Tour at Schifferdecker Mansion and Schifferdecker
Gardens with over 500 guests. Partnered with Schifferdecker Golf Course and Mount Hope Cemetery, Heart of America Beverage Co., Joplin Homebrew Club and owners of the showcased historic homes. Reunited Schifferdecker family decedents. Applied and received a picnic liquor license for the beer gardens
Yearly: Christmas Wreaths and Flag installation on our street light poles. Created Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter accounts and Mail Chimp email blast. Managed the HMP web site communications. Continued our liability insurance coverage. Dedication to research pertaining to our events to expand the Joplin story
Awarded a Convention and Visitors Bureau Special Event grant for Heritage Tourism and a CVB Community Grant for Mr.
Charles Schifferdecker, Remembered & Revisited Tour
Numerous articles of community support in newspaper magazines, Joplin Citizen & Media

2017 Accomplishments

Historic Murphysburg Preservation invites you to
BECOME A NEW or RENEWED MEMBER. You may not realize the significance
of your membership and donations, but combined with all the other
memberships, it is the most dependable source of funding. Member’s
generosity allows HMP to make substantial progress in the historic district.
End of Year 2017 Accomplishments
OCTOBER – Tied pink & purple ribbons on parkway trees for breast cancer awareness &
domestic violence awareness month – partnered with Freeman Hospital & Lafayette House.
NOVEMBER – Designed a Murphysburg themed Christmas window at Joplin City Hall.
Annual Membership meeting was held at the Unity Church with guest speaker J.D. Colbert
on the 100-year-old murder cold case of Sam Adams at the Schifferdecker Caretaker House
(aka John Johnson House).
DECEMBER 8th – Bourbon Tasting at Scottish Rite Cathedral. Bus Tour of Haun’s &
Hogan’s House for the CVB. DECEMBER 9th – Home for the Holidays…in Murphysburg.
Thanks to the Hauns, Mosleys, Greenwoods, Hogans, Crawfords, Walters, and
Stephensons for generously opening their superbly decorated homes to approximately 600
ticket holders! Funded in part with a Convention & Visitors Bureau grant.
Y e a r 2 0 1 8 A c c o m p l i s h m e n t s

JANUARY – HMP was represented at community input meetings hosted by
Downtown Joplin Alliance.
MARCH – Women’s History Month on HMP’s website and several articles in the
Joplin Globe newspaper.
APRIL – Promoted the Red Cross/Joplin Fire Department smoke detector installation
campaign in Murphysburg. HMP was represented at the Missouri Route 66 monthly
meeting held in Joplin and at the relighting ceremony of the restored
Wilder’s Steak House neon sign. HMP was also represented at
Connect2Culture’s arts appreciation reception.
MAY – Staffed a booth at Third Thursday in celebration of
Historic Preservation Month. HMP was the City of Joplin’s registrar
for the Bob Yapp window restoration workshop. Collaborators were
Joplin Historical Neighborhoods, Inc., Joplin Historic Preservation
Commission, and Downtown Joplin Alliance.
JUNE – Installed temporary Route 66 flags and City of Joplin flags
along with HMP banners on Second Street near Moffet Avenue to
welcome the Bikes Across Missouri riders.
JULY – Partnered with Shackles Production on Joplin History Murder Mystery at the Scottish
Rite Cathedral.
AUGUST – HMP was represented at Joplin’s Arts & Culture Preview.

Kay Ellis | Emily Ellis | Kavan Stull | Bill Bader
OCTOBER – Purple Ribbons on Sergeant & Moffet parkway trees
for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Started the process to create a HMP scholarship for the National
History Day competition for a North Middle School student.
Hosted the annual
membership meeting at the
restored Hulbert 200 Block
Commons buildings with a
presentation by owners and
contractors Carolina and Jeff
Neal.

NOVEMBER – HMP depicted the 2005 foreign language film Joyeux Noel for the Joplin City
Hall window display theme of Winter Holiday in Cinema. The movie is about the 1914 World
War I Christmas Eve Truce. Special thanks to Kay Ellis and Emily Ellis (aka the Ellis Sisters)
for their historic re-enactments during the ceremonies, and Kavan Stull and Bill Bader for
their re-enactments, expertise, plus the loan of their WWI artifacts for the display. Funded in
part by the Joplin CVB. Everyone is encouraged to view the windows until January 2, 2019.
Veterans of Murphysburg History Project…Patriots Who Served
HMP will document what was happening during times of war in what is now the Historic
Murphysburg District. Click on the Event Tab at www.murphysburg.org to view four
stories released weekly leading up to December 26, 2018.

  • David Tandy — Why was he awarded land in consideration of military service in what is
    now Joplin and the current Murphysburg Historic District in early settlement years?
  • Mr. Charles Schifferdecker’s connection to the Spanish-American War.
  • Mr. Lee Taylor, the American Civil War, the United Confederate Veterans (the South),
    and the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) (veterans of the Union/North) before
    Joplin received its charter.
  • The Tale of Joplin’s Two United Service Organizations (the USO) during World War II.

O N G O I N G

o Manage Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts, plus Mail Chimp email blasts.
o Manage communications (inquiries about houses for sale, etc.) on HMP’s web site.
o Continue HMP’s liability insurance coverage for special events
o Manage HMP’s inventory at Empire Market storage locker.
o Continue historical research using Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com, etc.
o Resolve the dialog with Empire District/Liberty Utilities to meet their new utility pole
specifications for a safe and secure display for banners, holiday wreaths, and flags.
Check out the lead story in the Show Me the Ozarks magazine!

Christmas in Murphysburg | December 2018
www.showmetheozarks.com

ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2016

Historic Murphysburg Preservation invites you to become a member or renew your
membership. You may not realize the significance of your membership and donations, but
it, along with all the other memberships, are the most dependable source of funding. Member’s generosity
allows HMP to make substantial progress in the historic district.

JANUARY
HMP members represented Murphysburg as a stakeholder in the city-wide Historic
Preservation Plan; learn more at http://www.joplinmo.org/index.aspx?nid=119

MARCH
Hosted a St. Patrick’s Day Heritage Tourism Bus Tour; received
a “hosting fee” from Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau

MAY
Co-sponsored the First Friday Wine Share at the Scottish Rite
Cathedral; the accurately restored billiards room was the focus of the grand reveal; restoration by The
Neal Group

JUNE
● Curbside Recycling debuted in Murphysburg with a KSN TV Morning Show live broadcast
● Co-sponsored the Joplin Jewish Temple Centennial Open House; approximately 250 guests
attended; provided public education and received fantastic media coverage
● Old-Fashioned Neighborhood Ice Cream Social at Fifth and Sergeant; coordinated by Lori Haun

JULY
● Received CVB Grant Funds for marketing the 2017 Murphysburg Holiday Homes Tour
● Hired Choice Marketing to develop a new HMP logo, a new banner design, and develop Facebook
advertisements
● Received a community grant from CVB for the purchase of new banner brackets
● Designed new banner brackets and hired Allmetal Products for the fabrication
● Hired Sign Designs to print and install the new banners
● Participated in the Connect2Culture Arts & Economic Prosperity 5, which is an important study to
measure the economic impact of the arts and culture in Joplin
● HMP was represented at the Route 66 Association of Missouri meeting held at Joplin City Hall
● Connect2Culture Arts Roundtable: Joplin Arts Preview – HMP updated fellow arts and cultural
community organizations regarding our future events and gained partnerships within this
particular community

— over —

AUGUST

Partnered with Wildcat Glades 100th Anniversary celebration; HMP was represented in the history
tent with the Ellis Sisters interactive and educational customs of the 1900s; produced an

informational and artistically beautiful poster for the event; poster is now part of
the Nature Center’s history wall

OCTOBER
● Tied Pink Ribbons on Sergeant and Moffet parkway trees in recognition of
Breast Cancer Awareness Month; received great media coverage
● New Banners and Brackets installed in the Local and National Historic District
● Annual Membership Meeting held at the newly restored Morgan’s Grocery
Store at 505 West Second Street; Bill Caldwell with the Joplin Globe was the
guest speaker; hosted by Dr. Amykay Cole and Dr. Blake Webster
● Neighborhood gathering with food, pumpkin carving and fellowship at the
Henry Weyman House, 508 South Sergeant; hosted by Emily and Tom Walters
● Hired Choice Marketing to design and print the new educational

and promotional Murphysburg District brochure

DECEMBER
● Installed Christmas Wreaths at key district intersections
● Co-sponsored an Edwardian Tea at the Post Library; Virginia
● and Howard Hogan and the Ellis Sisters wore period costumes;
● Amy Kimble played the harp; an antique tea service, period clothing
● and accessories were on display; provided light snacks and public
● education, and of course . . . received good media coverage
● Started marketing for the HMP 2017 Holiday Homes Tour

ALL YEAR
● Hung the American Flag at key district intersections for various holidays
● Managed Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts, plus Mail Chimp email blasts
● Managed communications (such as inquiries about the Olivia) on HMP’s web site
● Continued HMP’s liability insurance coverage for special events
● Continued historical research in order to expand the Joplin and Murphysburg stories