$118,381Average Value$119Average Price per Sq Ft9Homes For Sale
Historic Black neighborhood celebrates history and welcomes improvement
Joplin's aptly named East Town neighborhood sits just east of the city center and is a historic area with deep roots in the city that continues to evolve at the hands of passionate long-term residents. Established in the early 1870s, it was a Black neighborhood in a majority-white area that saw a period of thriving entrepreneurship. Facing gradual disinvestment and environmental degradation, this neighborhood is seeing a period of renewed investment, with help in large part from EastTown Dreams District. This nonprofit organization is helping bring in new businesses, green spaces and community gatherings. "East Town seems to have been forgotten about for a while, so to see it being renovated and changed and new families moving in is a welcome aspect," says Jeremy Canada, co-owner of Blackstone Gastropub, a recent addition to the area.
Early 20th-century bungalows, Victorians and Queen Annes
Industrial, commercial and residential spaces are intertwined in this neighborhood, with many buildings dating from the late 19th century through the mid 20th century. Many homes date from 1900 to 1930, such as Craftsman bungalows and National style homes, and are complemented by ranch and Minimal Traditional homes dating from the midcentury through today. Affordability is a driving factor in this neighborhood, and properties may range from $75,000 to $182,000. Maples and dogwoods hang over the sidewalks that line the neighborhood streets, connecting to shops, restaurants and green spaces. Residents may experience an odor from nearby Tamko, a shingle manufacturer.
A few, larger homes exist in the west edge of East Town.
Fall colors add to the beauty and coziness of the East Town neighborhood.
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East Town dreams of the future Hope Park
East Town's green spaces play a part in its past, present, and future. Just south of the neighborhood, Ewert Park was established in 1925 for Joplin's Black community. It was the only park the community was allowed to use at the time. Today, the 14-acre park is undergoing a major project that will update the splash park and add a new playground, covered basketball court, amphitheater with lighting for nighttime events and a kiosk highlighting the park's history. In the center of the neighborhood, Joe Becker Memorial Stadium once hosted Mickey Mantle and the Joplin Minors, a minor league affiliate of the New York Yankees. After a $4.7 million renovation project that added stadium-style seating, it reopened for play in 2014. The EastTown Dreams District continues to advocate for the Hope Park project, which will add walking trails, a playground, a pavilion and basketball courts near the stadium.
The East Town neighborhood eagerly awaits the construction of Hope Park.
The sunsets on another day in Joplin and East Town.
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Blackstone Gastropub featured on Food Network
Langston Hughes is a longtime commercial corridor cutting east and west through the neighborhood. Co-owners Jeremy Canada and Damien Tiregol opened Blackstone Gastropub here in 2020, putting their unique twist on the cuisine of the four-states region, focusing on barbecue. In 2024, it was featured alongside five other Joplin restaurants on Guy Fieri's Food Network show Best Bite in Town, showing off its pork belly appetizer and pasta topped with burnt ends. East Town is between Joplin's main commercial spaces — downtown and Rangeline Road — "so it's tough to get people to come through here, but it's picking up," Canada says. "We're getting more and more businesses here, more shopping and things like that."
East Town is home to the Joplin Empire Market, an indoor market held every Saturday throughout the year in a repurposed historic building. About 30 local vendors sell home-grown and hand-made products such as fresh produce, prepared foods, meat, baked goods and specialty items. Walmart Neighborhood Market is a go-to option for grocery shopping just south of the neighborhood.
Blackstone Gastropub in East Town offers smash burgers and hand crafted cocktails.
The Northpark Mall brings East Town resident national brands.
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Music and 5K run for Juneteenth
East Town hosts cultural events celebrating Black history. For the past three years, the EastTown Dreams District has hosted a Juneteenth celebration featuring a 5K run, live reggae and jazz music and guest speakers. The 2024 event helped to fundraise for the future Hope Park. Ewert Park hosts a three-day Emancipation Celebration in August featuring live music and storytelling, a dominoes tournament and a Sunday church service.
Early college credits at Joplin High
This neighborhood falls under one Joplin School District pipeline, zoned for three schools that earn C-plus grades from Niche. Located 1 mile away, McKinley Elementary emphasizes strong parent involvement with a Parent Teacher Organization. Students can progress to East Middle School, located over 4 miles away, before attending Joplin High, located 2 miles away. Joplin High students may earn early college credits with Advanced Placement courses in biology, chemistry, European history, literature and composition and seven other subjects.
Langston Hughes leads downtown
This neighborhood is highly walkable, thanks to sidewalks and nearby amenities. Langston Hughes is a direct route to downtown Joplin, located just west; however, sidewalks don't extend the entire way. Joplin's 2022 Active Transportation Plan proposes a bike lane along this road connecting to downtown and surrounding areas. Joplin doesn't have public bus routes but offers paratransit services on demand via the Metro Area Public Transit System. Freeman Hospital has an emergency room about 4 miles southwest.
East Town residents embrace the convenience of cycling to get around Joplin.
Skateboarding is a major draw to Ewert Park.
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Tornadoes are a possibility
Jasper County, where Joplin is located, is part of Tornado Alley and averages one event every one and a half years. In 2011, Joplin experienced Missouri's deadliest tornado to date, claiming 161 lives. Peak tornado season is from April through June.
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Fantastic Joplin home! Updated and move-in ready 4-bedroom, 2-bath home offering 1,994 sqft of functional living space. Fresh interior paint and new flooring throughout create a clean, modern feel. The main-level primary bedroom provides convenience and privacy, while the additional bedrooms stretch throughout the remaining first and second floors. Located with quick easy access to schools,
Spectacular Joplin Home! Step onto the welcoming covered front porch and into a comfortable living space designed for easy living. The kitchen features matching appliances, custom cabinetry, and convenient access to the backyard. With an open floor plan, a master suite boasting a spacious walk-in closet, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms, this 1,060 sq. ft. home is the perfect blend of function and
Opportunity in Joplin! This 2-bedroom, 1-bath home sits on a great corner lot The generously sized rooms offer great layout flexibility, nearly 800 sqft of living space, and the property's location—just minutes from Downtown Joplin and restaurants—makes it a great option for many different buyers. Schedule a private tour today!
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