Celebrating National Historic Districts & Places That Matter

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

Tea & Scandals… An afternoon Tea with a Twist at the Dangerfield House

The recently restored historic Dangerfield house at 405 South Moffet Avenue, in Joplin’s Murphysburg Historic District, will once again host an afternoon tea—mimicking a social event that was held there over a century ago.

Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. (HMP)l hosted two afternoon teas on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 12 noon and again at 3:00 p.m. All guests were be treated to a tour and historic account of the house decorated for the holidays. The event was more than just a selection of teas with delectable traditional English finger foods and delicacies—this even also included tales of scandals that enveloped the Dangerfield family! What is a society gathering without a little neighborhood gossip?

In august of 1908 Mrs. Blanch Dangerfield (the daughter in law of the original owners of the James Dangerfield home) hosted a fifty person tea party here for the who’s who of turn of the century Joplin. It was a well regarded event described in social circles as an elegant affair. However the success of this gathering could not predict the utter chaos that would befall the family mere months later. By the end of 1909 both James and Mary Ann Dangerfield would be dead, in the next year their son in law charged and convicted of embezzlement from Mt Hope cemetery, adultery and the scandals of divorce from both progeny of the Dangerfields would shock the city and seal the family’s downfall.

Tea & Scandals: After Dark Speakeasy

If tea is not your thing, there was also be a separate ticketed “speakeasy event” at 6:00 p.m. All guests were treated to a tour and historic account of the house while enjoying the holiday decorations, $20 per person. A complimentary beverage was offered. Tea & Scandals: After Dark Speakeasy was a come-go event, While having a signature drink with new friends you will learn about  tales of scandals that enveloped the Dangerfield family!


 “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.

Murphysburg Treasure Hunt

The Murphysburg Treasure Hunt Coordinators.
The winners of the $1,000 Prize. Our friend on the right, Michelle Ferguson represented SMB and was there to give the prize to our happy treasure hunters.
More treasure hunters at the finish line. They stated, even though they did not win a prize they learned a lot about Joplin and had a good time.

 Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. produced an exciting community  event to celebrate Historic Preservation Month: The Murphysburg Treasure Hunt is race to solve riddles, uncover clues, and explore Joplin’s rich history.

Want to take the Treasure Hunt on your own? The hunt features historical sites throughout the city. Each one is tied to significant events and unique stories from Joplin’s early days.

Message us on our Facebook page for Answers or more hints to find the treasures.

A special thanks to Southwest Missouri Bank for for sponsoring the event.

Paula’s Beauty shop

Joshua Shackles Production

City of Joplin

Celebrating Our Local Preservation Heroes for Historic Preservation Month in May

Joplin Historic Preservation Commission announces annual awards During Preservation Month in May, The commission gives out three awards — the Murphysburg Award, the Leslie Simpson Award and the Jeff and Carolina Neal Award.

A ceremony was held Thursday in the lobby of the historic Frisco Building in downtown Joplin. William Mountz, chairman of the commission, said those who received awards worked to save buildings as well as memories from Joplin’s past.
Winners were:

The Murphysburg Award – Awarded to groups or organizations who have made significant contributions to historic preservation in Joplin by way of improving our historic neighborhoods through community engagement or rehabilitation of a historic home. RICK BUSSEY, recipient of the 2025 for his work restoring the century-old home at 402 N. Wall Ave.

From the left: Emily Ellis, Joy Ellis and Kay Ellis

The Leslie Simpson Award – Awarded to an individual who has made significant contributions to historic preservation in Joplin by way of preservation administration, education, events, outreach, planning, research, or service.  EMILY AND KAY ELLIS, formerly of Joplin, were honored for contributions of reenacting as Living Historians and Period Dressers.

The Jeff & Carolina Neal Award – Awarded to people who have made significant developments to historic preservation in Joplin by way of developing and restoring/revitalizing buildings and property within Joplin’s commercial corridors. DAVID GLENN received the Jeff and Carolina Neal for his work nearly 40 years ago saving a classic train station that sat at 10th and Main streets.

Then on April 29th the Neal Group were one of eleven “Preserve Missouri” honor award recipients given by the Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation, also for the Pennington Lofts on the rehabilitation of the 400,000 square foot Pennington Drug Company building began nearly seven years ago. Although the building stood vacant for nearly 40 years, the historic open floor plates and exposed structure provided a clean canvas on which to start the rehabilitation. The first step in the project removed a non-historic 1950s facade which allowed the building to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places and qualify for historic tax credits. The developer immediately added a new roof and then, over the course of four years, rehabilitated the once vacant building into 21 apartment units, called “Pennington Lofts,” and three commercial spaces. The apartment design highlights the building’s historic industrial use, and features unique inverted steel rod trusses and historic steel windows. The project overcame several obstacles, including the global pandemic, increased construction costs, and higher-than-expected interest rates. Within the first three months of the building reopening, it was nearly 85 percent occupied. In addition to state and federal historic tax credits, the project received Chapter 353 property tax abatement from the City of Joplin. This retrofit celebrates sustainable design, art, open-mindedness and is a great example of giving a 100 year old building a better next century.