Celebrating National Historic Districts & Places That Matter

The John & Annie (Zelleken)Comerford House

JOHN COMERFORD Died 1937 Born 1865  Original Owner of 115 South Sergeant Avenue  Dutch Colonial, Circa 1902 T he John Comerford House should really be called the Annie Zelleken Comerford House. This Dutch Colonial property was a wedding gift from Edward Werner Zelleken and Margarethe Zelleken to their first born child, Annie Doretia Zelleken. I n 1891, at the time her parents were buying the land ($800) and planning the stately two story nine room residence, Annie Zelleken Frantz was already a widow with an infant son, Clarence. Subsequently, in 1894 she married John Comerford and they set up housekeeping and added another son, John Patrick Comerford to the family in 1901. John Comerford owned a plumbing supply business with his brother Thomas Comerford. But happiness for Annie was not to be. By 1915 she had relocated to the sunshine of California that only her Zelleken family wealth afforded her. Her husband, John followed her but returned to Joplin in 1916 as a single man.

Research has indicated that her sons at the same time, had her declared insane by the California Superior Court and she was committed to the Southern California State Hospital at Patton, California. And there she was to remain for 22 years until June of 1938 when she was released upon the decree that she had been restored to her right mind. Interestingly on the Joplin home front, her nephew Edward P. Dwyer was representing her sons in the sale of her property at 115 South Sergeant. However, her friend and neighbor, Mr. Frank Wallower interfered with the final disposition of the Jasper County Probate Court’s order and saved the property for Annie’s own disposition. She sold the property in 1941 to four sisters who used it for investment property. The house at 115 South Sergeant has since been the home to Haywood Scott, a local attorney and civic leader. It was also the home of Clifford “Clarence” Haynes who was Joplin Mayor 1958-1968.

Architecture

The two-story gable-front house has been sub-divided into apartments. It has a parged limestone foundation and an asphalt shingle roof. Aluminum siding capped with a carved wood band clads the first story; stucco clads the second story. Gambrel-roofed wings project from the north and south elevations. A brick chimney rises from the north slope of the ridge. A full-width flat roof porch spans the primary (west) elevation. It has wide brick piers with paired tapered wood columns. On the first story of this elevation, a single fully glazed wood door flanks each side of a paired window. A band of three windows pierces the

center of the second story. All windows are historic one-over-one double-hung wood windows. A historic photo shows this house originally had a prominent gambrel roof with shed dormers, wood siding and shingle cladding, and a balcony over the porch. The alteration of the roofline, cladding and balcony have compromised the integrity of the house, rendering it non-contributing to the District.

A one-story two-car garage is located at the rear of the property. It has concrete masonry unit walls and a front-gable asphalt shingle roof. Wood shingles clad the gable end. Two replacement vinyl overhead doors access the garage on the primary (east) elevation. Constructed within the period of significance, the garage retains integrity, rendering it contributing to the District.

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 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.” 

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.