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Joplin's second settled area is a tight-knit community with historic homes
Bordering downtown Joplin's west side, historic Murphysburg is Joplin's second settled area, platted by Joplin founding father Patrick Murphy in September of 1871. Drawn by financial opportunity during the city's lead and zinc mining boom days, Joplin founders and entrepreneurs constructed large, lavish houses throughout this 53-acre tract, especially along Sergeant and Moffet Avenues. Today, this tight-knit, passionate community is dedicated to preserving the neighborhood's history and character.
Residents founded Historic Murphysburg Preservation in 2005 to promote historic awareness throughout the neighborhood. Locals, seeing homes broken up into multi-family dwellings, petitioned to rezone the area as a single-family residential district. "We thought if we can make people fall in love with the homes, we can make them take care of them," says Paula Callihan, Historic Murphysburg Preservation co-founder and neighborhood resident of 22 years. "They're big homes that can accommodate families. Over time, that's what's happened — families are starting to move in and it's a whole new vibe."
There are several historic homes in Murphysburg.
A few of the historic homes in Murphysburg are getting turned into museums.
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Historic homes with decorative detailing
Household names such as Schifferdecker and Spiva are attached to Murphysburg homes. Large, ornate styles signal the wealth these leaders collected during Joplin's boom days. Dating between the 1890s and the 1920s, each home has a different look, making this area a popular spot for walking tours. Queen Anne homes are splashed with decoration such as multicolored shingles and floral painting over doorways. They have a busy, rambling facade featuring second-story balconies, towers and wrap-around porches. Neoclassical homes resemble some Washington D.C. architecture, with bright white exteriors and towering columns. Tudor, Colonial Revival, Prairie and Romanesque homes also line the streets, two of which are being converted to museums.
These older styles remain intact throughout the neighborhood, with original features such as limestone foundations, wood siding and wood windows. Renovations may require approval from the Joplin Historic Preservation Commission. Landscaping is sometimes as ornate as the homes themselves. Fenced-in front yards have brick walkways, fountains, flower beds and shrubbery. Rows of mature trees provide some privacy from the street. Prices can range between $120,000 to $190,000.
It is common to find multi-story homes throughout Murphysburg.
Some of the Murphysburg homes have beautiful stone fencing.
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Axe throwing and cold drinks at Main Street Axe Company
Murphysburg has an urban vibe near the center of the city. Sidewalks connect to the busy shopping and dining scene on Main Street, a hub for small businesses. Joplin Avenue Coffee Company offers space to sit and sip a warm drink, with tableside seating and couches. It serves signature lattes such as the maple leaf with maple and honey and the Van Gogh with vanilla, honey and almond. It also hosts community events such as live jazz, dancing and poetry nights. In an old brick building downtown, Red Onion Café has been serving downtown Joplin since 1995. It has a large menu with lunch options such as French onion soup and tomato rustica pasta. Banana pudding cheesecake, carrot cake and chocolate fudge cake are a few sweet options behind the dessert case. Main Street Axe Company offers a cold canned beer and a chance to hit the bullseye with axe throwing. Cash Saver is the closest spot for groceries.
World-class entertainment and art exhibits within walking distance
Locals often walk to downtown events. Downtown Joplin Alliance, a local nonprofit focused on revitalization, brings the area to life with regular festivities. Every Third Thursday, thousands of Joplin residents head to Main Street after work to shop at local artisan booths, hear live music on multiple stages, and eat at a downtown restaurant or a food truck. The event takes place from March through October.
The Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex is Joplin's cultural center for performing and visual arts, operated by two Joplin nonprofits. Here, Connect2Culture brings a variety of live performances in the evenings, while Spiva Center for the Arts gallery exhibits are open throughout the day. "I think it's such an asset to be able to walk and experience world-class entertainment and exhibits," Says Emily Frankoski, Executive Director of Connect2Culture. "Before it was here, people had to get in the car and drive an hour to Springfield to experience performances like Connect2Culture is bringing."
Baseball, pickleball and sand volleyball at Landreth Park
Green spaces are just east. Landreth Park was once a site for mining operations and today serves as one of the city's largest outdoor areas. Joplin Little League Baseball teams practice and compete at the park's west-side baseball fields. Eight pickleball courts, a playground and four sand volleyball courts are situated close together on the park's south side. Walking trails provide a way to explore the park on foot. Established in 1924, Ewert is a longtime Joplin green space that's getting several upgrades. The renovations will include the largest splash park in the area, a playground, an amphitheater, and a kiosk highlighting the park's history.
Industry certifications at Franklin Technology Center
Murphysburg students typically flow through one Joplin School District pipeline. Dover Hill Elementary School doesn't have a Niche grade and serves the neighborhood's younger students. Students can immerse themselves in extracurriculars such as baseball, orchestra and drama at North Middle School, which earns a B-minus. Joplin High is the city's only high school, earning a C-plus. In partnership with the high school, the Franklin Technology Center, just south of Murphysburg, helps students learn the technical foundations for their future careers. Students can earn industry-recognized certificates in welding, construction, automotive technology, nursing, culinary arts and other fields.
Walkable neighborhood with future bike lanes
Sidewalks make this a highly walkable neighborhood. Joplin is working to improve pedestrian accessibility downtown. The city's 2022 Active Transportation Plan proposes protected bike lanes on Second Street that would connect Murphysburg to downtown Joplin and beyond. This long-range project is projected to take between seven and 10 years. Public transportation is not currently available in the city, except for paratransit rides on demand through the Metro Area Public Transit System. Joplin Regional Airport is 6 miles north, with a direct route on Main Street, offering daily nonstop flights to Denver and Chicago. Freeman Hospital West is about 3 miles south, with a Level II trauma center.
Landreth Park offers plenty of paved trail surface for walkers and runners.
Sidewalks run throughout the Murphysburg neighborhood.
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Neighbors watch for crime
Murphysburg's CAP Index crime score is five out of 10, compared with the national average of four out of 10. Residents stay vigilant through a neighborhood watch program. "We have a text group with the neighborhood where we'll say, 'I'll be gone for three days, so-and-so is coming to water the plants,'" Callihan says. "My block knows who is coming and going." Weather is another consideration in Joplin, which is part of Tornado Alley. Peak tornado season is between April and June.
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