North Joplin neighborhood stirring interest and building community
North Heights is an established neighborhood in north Joplin where passionate residents have created positive changes. Since 2016, the North Heights Neighborhood Group, a nonprofit, has led the charge to fix up abandoned and neglected homes, beautifying the neighborhood and bringing out the character in vintage styles. Through donations, the group recently transformed a city block from an abandoned lot to a well-loved neighborhood green space. North Heights is the home of Porchfest, an annual event that has drawn attention from residents and musicians as far away as Knoxville. While there is still work to do, North Heights is closer to its goals of stirring interest and creating a stronger community for the neighborhood and the city. "Eight years down the road, you can see a marked difference," says Theresa Clift, a North Heights resident since 2016. "There is still a run-down house here and there, but there is a marked difference."
Updated American Foursquares, Tudors and bungalows
Just 1 mile north of historic downtown, this is an older Joplin neighborhood with early 20th-century housing styles, including American Foursquare, bungalow, Tudor and Dutch Colonial. Many homes have been fully renovated with new stainless steel appliances and refinished hardwood floors. Others may require some cosmetic updates. "It's just so worth it," Clift says. "They're gorgeous homes with features new homes will never have." Prices typically range from $120,000 to $350,000. Residents make the most of smaller front yards with flower or vegetable gardens. Porches are a common feature from the period, adding more outdoor space for neighborhood get-togethers.
A symmetrical bungalow brings curb appeal to North Heights.
A traditional American foursquare style home is one of several options in North Heights.
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Porchfest draws attention from surrounding towns
Porchfest is this neighborhood's signature event, growing nearly every year since it kicked off in 2017. In early October, over 50 musicians and bands perform on porches and front yards throughout the neighborhood as locals look on from picnic blankets or lawn chairs. The North Heights Neighborhood Group posts a map and schedule with the band names and genres so locals can find their favorites. With up to 10 bands performing at a time, plus food trucks, kids activities and yard games, this event reaches beyond the Joplin city limits. "We get people from Carthage, Webb City, Carl Junction and Galena, Kansas," says Clift, who helps organize the event. "We've had some bands come from as far as Knoxville."
Big dreams for Michael and Jeri Lynn Joseph Family Park
On the neighborhood's north side, Michael and Jeri Lynn Joseph Family Park is a community space at the site of a former elementary school. To prevent unwanted development, the neighborhood worked to raise money to purchase the land when it went up for sale. Ultimately, an individual bought the land and is leasing it to the neighborhood for one dollar per year. The empty lot has transformed into an open grassy space with picnic tables and a walking path. "Every weekend there are people using the picnic benches for picnics and kids playing soccer," Clift says. Recently, the park hosted the food trucks during Porchfest. The neighborhood has big dreams for the park, including adding a stage for a monthly concert.
The Michael and Jeri Lynn Joseph Family Park sits on the site of the former Columbia Elementary School.
The Joseph Family Park is located in north central Joplin.
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Joplin High School JROTC has a 100-year history
Younger residents are zoned for three Joplin School District entities. Dover Hill Elementary School opened in 2023 and doesn't yet have a Niche grade. Students can also attend the B-minus-rated North Middle School, where they can hone their musical talents with the orchestra or choir. Teens typically graduate from Joplin High School, which gets a C-plus. The Joplin High School JROTC celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019. JROTC students attend classes and extracurricular activities such as community service projects. About a mile north, Ozark Christian College is a private college with bible-centered majors such as biblical justice, children's ministry, preaching and creative arts.
There is a sign for Dover Hills Elementary near the main road.
Students at Joplin High School attend grades 9 through 12.
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Daily barbecue specials at Blackstone Gastropub
This neighborhood is centered near Joplin's small business scene. The Bruncheonette puts a local spin on breakfast and lunch, sourcing from nearby farms, dairies and bakeries. The migas egg scramble with cheese, house salsa, avocado and crème fraiche is one popular menu item. About 2 miles east, Blackstone Gastropub serves creative daily lunch and dinner specials such as country fried chicken over cheesy hashbrown casserole. Frosted Cakerie sells individual cupcakes, cookies and other treats on Thursdays and Fridays and custom orders for special events. These Joplin spots also create Porchfest-themed offerings during the event. Locals can head to Dollar General and Cash Saver for a pantry refill.
The Bruncheonette is an intimate breakfast joint in North Heights.
Blackstone Gastropub offers smash burgers and hand crafted cocktails just outside North Heights.
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Updated sidewalks and bike lanes down the road
This is a walkable area with sidewalks lining most streets. Sidewalk improvement is another future project for the neighborhood. Main Street borders the neighborhood's east side, offering a quick connection north and south through the city. It leads to Joplin Regional Airport, about 6 miles north, with daily nonstop flights to Chicago and Denver. Joplin's largest healthcare facility, Freeman Hospital West, is about 4 miles south. The hospital has a Level II trauma center open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Joplin doesn't have public transportation or bike lanes, but the city's 2022 Active Transportation Plan recommends adding bike lanes on Second and Fourth Streets, just south of the neighborhood.
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