The Tale of Joplin’s Two United Service Organizations (USO) during World War II

HMP’s philosophy is to look at historical facts with a neutral eye. In this spirit, HMP does not honor the practice of segregation, but rather recognizes the history that shaped our nation, state, city, and the armed services, plus those who gave of themselves.

The multi-level building at 306-312 South Wall Avenue borders the Historic Murphysburg Residential District on the east side of Pearl. In the late 1920’s it was Farmer Motor Company and several mining and smelting companies. In the 1930’s and early 40’s it was the Quality Motors car dealership. Through the years the building was many different businesses such as manufacturing companies, optical laboratory, an insurance company, a wholesale supplier, and more. During World War II, the building housed the United Service Organization (USO) offices and recreation center.

Because Joplin was a WWII hub for six defense centers and was within close proximity to Camp Crowder in Neosho, Missouri, the United Service Organization designated Joplin for a local USO site. On March 3, 1942 the USO opened for soldiers, sailors, and 30,000 to 40,000 defense workers!

Mary Anne Phillips and husband James D. Scott have owned the building at 306-312 South Wall Avenue since 2000. Jim’s business, Scott Electronic Systems, Inc. has operated out of the building since 1979. Jim says it is a sturdy structure with six metal I-beams that span 40 feet to support the second floor. Special features on the second floor include a mezzanine surrounded by offices, a large skylight, and transoms above the office doors. Mary Anne believes that many artifacts remained with the building through the years such as chairs, a glass display case, and draperies because they are depicted in a postcard the couple acquired from Paula Callihan.

Pictured here is a 1940’s postcard of the interior of the USO at 310 South Wall Avenue. The other is photo a fabric found years later in the building. The current owners discovered from the postcard that the fabric they found was a remnant of the draperies used for the USO.

But that is not the end of the story. According to minutes of the Joplin USO Council, 1941-1946, (courtesy of the Joplin History & Mineral Museum), it was not long before the USO Council faced an unforeseen dilemma. Some “colored troops,” 2000 in number, were scheduled to arrive at Camp Crowder. Joplin officials questioned how to accommodate them, since the black population in Joplin was small, only 854.

Committee member W. H. Maher made a passionate plea, declaring “Those men are wearing the uniform of the United States…We are talking about American soldiers…and we owe the duty (USO services) to the colored soldiers as much as…the white soldiers. I believe there should be no racial or religious distinction.” He did, however, suggest that, “The negroes preferred to have their own group.”

On February 6, 1944 with much ceremony by white and black dignitaries, the Main Street (Negro) USO Club opened in an old building at 221 South Main Street. Less than a year after its opening, due to the reduction in black troops at Camp Crowder, the club was ordered shut down. An appeal was made to the USO executive in Kansas City to retain the facility. The colored soldiers stationed at Camp Crowder stated they were appreciative of the Joplin facility and it is better than any they had found elsewhere.

QUICK FACTS

The Wall Street USO closed its doors on June 30, 1946. The Main Street USO remained in operation for another three months until all of the black soldiers had left the camp.

Over one million soldiers passed through Joplin’s USO clubs during the war years.

While the building that housed the Wall Street USO is still in use today, the Main Street USO building is gone and is now the site of Commerce Bank.

Additional Resources

Click here to learn more about the United Services Organization, Inc., or write P. O. Box 9680, Washington, D. C. 20077- 7677

Sources:

James D. Scott Family Archives
Brad Belk, David Cunningham, Andy Ostmeyer, and Leslie Simpson Joplin Souvenir Album, St. Louis, Missouri: G. Bradley Publishing, Inc., 2001. Pages 16-17.
Callihan Postcard collection

Austin Allen, Architect
Dieter Wetzel, Builder
Listed on the National Register in 2008

The Olivia had a well-deserved reputation as the “handsomest apartment house in the West.” Arthur Bendelari, a civil and mining engineer from Canada, moved to Joplin during the mining boom. He commissioned architect Austin Allen and the contracting firm Dieter and Wenzel to construct this 5-story, $150,000 masterpiece. Construction began February of 1906, and it was open in October that same year.

Arthur Bendelari had a reputation for being a well-liked charmer. He owned one of the town’s first automobiles, and he would race anyone anytime, especially if it involved wagering. He named the Olivia after his mother, Mary Olivia Bendelari.

Decorated in “Pompeian fashion,” the public spaces of the Olivia sparkled with solid Italian marble. The lobby decor impressed all who crossed the threshold where mosaic tiles spelled out “Olivia.” Passing through the elaborate rotunda, visitors entered the reception room, finished in old ivory and lit by skylights and a large leaded glass window with the name “Olivia” expertly crafted in multi-colored glass. A highly polished oak staircase spiraled up from the lobby, connecting all five floors. Electric elevators, both passenger and freight, also provided easy access to all parts of the building. A uniformed attendant provided 24-hour elevator service.

The red brick Olivia comprised 34 one and two-bedroom apartments, for a total of 110 rooms. Some of the larger apartments had almost 2,000 square feet of living space. All of them featured built-ins, fireplaces, marble bathrooms with claw-foot tubs, and every labor-saving device known at the time. Tenants enjoyed bright airy rooms with French doors opening onto private balconies. A roof garden overlooked the city, affording spectacular views in all directions. On clear days, one could even see Webb City. Trolley lines ran down 4th Street, right next to the building, taking residents wherever they wanted to go.

The Olivia’s Current Situation:

After many false starts and a tragic fire in December 2020, this Murphysburg landmark is being
restored by Blue Haven Homes and Bykota REI, along with Neal Group Construction &
Restoration.

Preservation Efforts & Updates:

HMP partnered with stakeholders including the City of Joplin and the current owner to find ways to stabilize the structure.
Downtown Joplin Alliance uses grant funds to conduct a professional assessment on December 11. Fire damage was limited in scope to the roof structure and the first-floor area below the lower roof. The decorative domed ceiling in the lobby has collapsed onto the floor, which has also partially collapsed. However, the exterior masonry and all floor structure areas are in sound condition and the building can still be rehabilitated.
October 29, 2020: The Olivia is named one of Missouri’s “Places in Peril”
December 7, 2020: The Olivia Apartments suffer fire damage (view drone footage of fire damage)
December 17, 2020: Bywater Development’s application for tax credits to help pay for the renovation is denied by the Missouri Housing Development Commission
Bywater Development withdraws from the offer to purchase The Olivia from Scott Tillman with Tillman Redevelopment of Springfield
Fall 2021: New developers are making … progress to bring The Olivia back to her grandeur
Good News Update February 12, 2021: City officials propose investment in Olivia building: Council to consider $250,000 agreement