Celebrating National Historic Districts & Places That Matter

Second Annual Murphysburg Treasure Hunt

Help us celebrate Historic Preservation Month in May at the second annual Murphysburg Treasure Hunt, a race to solve riddles, uncover clues, and explore Joplin’s rich history.  The event starts at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026—rain or shine—in the west parking lot of Joplin City Hall, 602 S. Main Street.

Your host, Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc., has raised the bar this year by adding cash prizes for second and third place!

The event promises to take treasure seekers on an interactive adventure to find iconic historic sites, links to significant events and people, and hidden history stories in the Joplin metro area.  

At the start of the event contestants will receive their first riddle to solve that will lead them to a landmark. Once they arrive at the correct location, they will find a QR code. Scanning the code will unlock their next clue that will take them further along the treasure trail. The race continues until someone solves all the clues in the correct order and reaches the final destination—destination—thus claiming the $1,000 prize money! The second-place contestant
will receive $750 and third-place contestant will receive $250.

The treasure hunt is open to participants of all ages. The entry fee is $35 per person.

First place 2025 winners pictured to the right. Far right, Michelle Ferguson from Southwest Missouri Bank met the winners at the final clue to deliver the $1,000 prize!

Winners of the first Scavenger hunt with Michelle Ferguson from Southwest Missouri Bank to hand them the $1,000 1ts place prize

Register here to start the adventure . People can also pay in person on May 16 starting at 9:00 a.m. at the parking lot on the southeast corner of 6th and Joplin Avenue.  For questions contact Paula at paula@murphysburg.org

 “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 The18th Amendment has been repealed!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

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