Celebrating National Historic Districts & Places That Matter

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, a 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 more hints to find the treasures.

“We wanted to create an event that brings people together and showcase the historic  treasures of our community,” said Paula Callihan, a representative of Historic Murphysburg  Preservation, Inc. “The Murphysburg Treasure Hunt is a fun way to explore Joplin’s past and  learn about our boomtown history.”

Good luck !!!

A special thanks to South West Missouri Bank for the sponsorship of the $1.000 prize money

Paula’s Beauty shop

Joshua Shackles production

City of Joplin

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.

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.

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.

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 $$$$$$!
  • May 17: High Tea Steeped in Murphysburg History
  • September 20: Whisky & Whispers Murphysburg Prohibition Night
  • October 18: Murphysburg After Dark : Tales of Spirits and Secrets
  • December 20: A Murphysburg Christmas Candles, Carols and Timeless Charm

HISTORIC MURPHYSBURG PRESERVATION, INC. (HMP)

2023  ACCOMPLISHMENTS & ACTIVITIES

JANUARY :  For an understanding of the future, look to the past

Continued the distribution of the coloring book, Coloring JOMO: Women Who Made Their Mark, walking tour brochures, and hand illustrated maps.  Continued research on original and or significant owners of Murphysburg houses.  Received Visit Joplin (formerly known as Joplin Convention & Visitors Bureau) grant funding for HMP website updates. 

MARCH: Bring to light often overlooked history

HMP promoted Women’s History Month by featuring two (unrelated) women that lived at 101 N. Sergeant in the early 1940s to late 1950s.  Mary Kirk Kelly, as a professor at Joplin Junior College, started Model United Nations for students.  They would travel to regional and national simulations which continues today; after retirement she became an internationally known ceramic artist.  Dora Kneeland invented what came to be known as Williams Chili Seasoning and her son-in-law produced it in the garage before moving the operation to Webb City

Mary Kirk Kelly

APRIL: We envisioned new projects 

Completed research on the Pearl Brothers House (101 S. Moffet) and requested a local historic marker sign.  Continued advocacy for the rehabilitation or abatement of apartments at 117-121 S. Byers (built in May 1950) through direct conversations with Tyler Casey with ProX Management and City officials.  Represented HMP at the Spring meeting of Missouri Route 66 Association and the Visit Joplin Tourism Connection regional meeting.

MAY: Bring awareness to underrepresented communities

Partnered with Downtown Joplin Alliance’s Loft Tour.  Presentation to City Council asking for historic street name signs.  Provided Mt. Hope Cemetery with QR codes for 50 original Murphysburg residents interred at the cemetery.  Staffed a booth at DJA’s Third Thursday.

JUNE: The impact you helped make possible

Represented HMP at the annual Missouri Preservation Conference held in Joplin.

JULY: We advocated for

Partnered with the Scottish Rite Cathedral to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the building.

AUGUST : Promote heritage tourism

Facilitated a feature story & photographs of Murphysburg walking tour in the 417 Magazine.

OCTOBER: Benefitting from new energy

Hosted the annual membership appreciation meeting at the Cornell Complex with guest speaker Neely Meyers, Science Center Creative Learning Alliance director.

NOVEMBER: Home for the holidays…in Murphysburg

Installed Christmas Wreaths on Murphysburg District utility poles.  Monitored HMP’s “Giving Tuesday” donation website. Guest appearance on MSSU TV Newsmaker show.

DECEMBER: Overlooked history

Conducted the Austin Allen, the Architect — Remembered historic building tour and lecture which was co-sponsored by Visit Joplin and Joplin Celebrations Commission .  Received a Visit Joplin grant to pay for production of a booklet featuring Murphysburg District houses.  Continued dialogue with City officials to save 130 S. Moffet, the Albert Newman House from demolition.

ONGOING

  • Manage Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Mail Chimp, HMP website, liability insurance, storage unit, and more.
  • Manage communications, inquiries about houses for sale, Joplin history & media inquiries. 
  • Conduct historical research using Ancestry.com, Find-a-Grave, Newspapers.com, etc.
  • Interface with North Heights Neighborhood Group, Downtown Joplin Alliance, City of Joplin, Joplin Historical Neighborhoods, Inc., Connect 2 Culture, Bluehaven 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.

 SOUTHWEST MISSOURI RAILROAD CLUBHOUSE 

In 1889, Alfred Harrison “A.H.” Rogers (1858-1920) started a railway system between Webb City and Carterville pulled by mules.  After 1893, the system was electrified.  It continued until late summer of 1935 for Carthage, and 1940 for other communities.  The clubhouse was constructed for officials and employees. 

The A.H. Rogers House is in the Murphysburg Historic District at 623 W. Fourth Street and is currently being restored by Joplin Historical Neighborhoods, Inc.

Charlie22 Outdoor’s mission is to provide outdoor activities to the nation’s veterans and their families.  For more information, contact Scotty Rae Hettinger at (417) 437-7247 or charlie22outdoors.com.

Following are excerpts from the Joplin History & Mineral Museum calendar published in 2021:  Originally, the first floor was divided into a pool room, a gymnasium that was also used for large social groups, a locker room, a dressing room, toilets, and shower baths.  The second floor housed the clubrooms, complete with a kitchen and dining area.  The clubrooms were used for reading, writing, card playing, social entertainments, banquets, and to conduct business meetings.  The third floor consisted of two dormitories, where a bed could be rented by the day or week.  The facility was possibly best remembered for the elaborate employee banquets.