$192,823Average Value$165Average Price per Sq Ft27Homes For Sale
Quiet streets and leafy parks surround a lively downtown in Lamar
Lamar’s historic town square is anchored by a brick courthouse built in 1856 and surrounded by rows of old storefronts. With plenty of local shops, eateries and events, it’s a central gathering place for the town’s 4,300 residents. “The square is pretty quiet during the week, but it fills up when there’s an event, and there are a lot of local events,” says Pauletta Orahood of the Barton County Historical Society, a longtime city resident. Outside the downtown district, walkable, leafy streets are dotted with early- and mid-20th century homes, community parks and local monuments and memorials. “It’s a friendly town. Not too big, not too small. And it’s full of history,” Orahood says. “Wyatt Earp started his law career here. President Harry Truman was born here. We had three military admirals who were born here. For a small town, it’s really something.”
Lamar, Missouri, is a small, quiet town in Barton County.
A brick courthouse anchors the town square in Lamar.
1/2
Older homes with large lots near downtown
Lamar is laid out on a traditional, flat street grid lined with sidewalks, mature trees and lots with generous setbacks. Ranch-style homes, cottages and Craftsman houses can all be found here, most of which date back at least 50 years. Some older homes may need fixing up, while others have been well maintained and upgraded. Lots are typically large, offering plenty of privacy and space for gardens. Large farm properties, newer homes and rural homes are found farther out from the town center. Prices range from around $100,000 to $320,000, depending on size, age and condition.
Similarly styled bungalows line a residential street in Lamar.
A Victorian home in Lamar features a well-manicured yard and a white picket fence.
1/2
Historic theaters and hometown favorites for dining out
The city has more than a few shopping and dining destinations, so residents won’t have to travel for the essentials. Tractor’s BBQ and Grill is a local favorite for smoked meats, sandwiches, sides and fixings, while El Caballo De Oro offers up Mexican staples like tacos, burritos and enchiladas. Those searching for something sweet can make a pitstop at Daylight Donuts or pick up coffee and pastries from The Grind Coffee Shop. Worden’s Meat offers a wide selection of meats, from beef and bacon to brats, chicken sausage and pork chops. There are two historical movie theaters in town — the Plaza Theater, built in 1934, and the Barco Drive-In, a rural drive-in theater built in 1950. Groceries and everyday essentials are available at Walmart and Dollar General.
Daylight Donuts is a popular stop for a sweet treat.
Residents in Lamar head to the Barco Drive-In Theatre for a movie night.
1/2
Truman Day and Fallfest honor Lamar’s famous residents
Annual events celebrate holidays and history. “We have Wyatt Earp Fallfest in October. He was the town constable before he headed west. And there’s Truman Day in May when we celebrate Truman’s birthday,” Orahood says. Among the largest events is the Lamar Free Fair, billed as the state’s largest, which takes place in the town square every August. It brings out thousands of visitors for carnival rides, parades and a livestock show.
City parks offer lakes, trails, playgrounds and ball fields
Parks are a major perk for Lamar locals, with two lakes and plenty of green space. The largest is Lamar City Park, a sprawling park surrounding a popular fishing lake with walking trails, playgrounds, a dog park, picnic areas and baseball diamonds. Wyatt Earp Park sits near the center of town, across the street from the courthouse, and hosts local events like the annual Christmas Parade and Christmas lighting. Thiebaud Auditorium is right up the street, a public event venue that holds holiday events, pageants, banquets and reunions.
Residents fish and boat at Lamar City Lake.
Residents relax and unwind at Wyatt Earp Park.
1/2
High school football brings the community together on game nights
Young students start at East Primary School, which serves kindergarten through second grade, West Elementary School, which serves third through fifth grade, and Lamar Middle School. All three schools earn B-minus ratings from Niche. The last four years can be spent at Lamar High School, which gets a C-plus. The high school’s championship-winning football team brings the community together for home games. The team has won the state championship more than 15 times, most recently in 2023 and 2024. “We’ve got some great schools. The football team has a pretty big following here,” Orahood says.
Lamar Middle School students attend grades 6th through 8th.
The Lamar High School football team is a source of community pride.
1/2
Driving is essential for errands, commuting and medical care
Lamar’s residential streets, especially those closest to the town square, are walkable and bikeable. The city doesn’t have public transportation, however, so residents will need a car for errands and commuting. Interstate 49 runs along the city’s western edge, offering a route to Joplin, about 40 miles south, while Pittsburg, Kansas, is about 28 miles west. Mercy Hospital Pittsburg, about 30 miles away, is the nearest medical center. The Joplin Regional Airport is 35 miles away.
Written By
Daniel Berti
Photography Contributed By
Maurice Boone
Video By
Maurice Boone
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Nichole West,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Lamar, MO sell after 70 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Lamar, MO over the last 12 months is $161,400, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Peaceful Corner-Lot Living with Beautiful Outdoor Spaces! Enjoy quiet living on a desirable corner lot with only one neighbor on the entire block.Beautiful landscaping surrounds the entire home. Relax on the deck and enjoy bird watching. On chilly days, cozy up by the warm brick fireplace and enjoy the heated primary bathroom.The home has been well maintained. Thoughtful updates
Move-in ready 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home in Lamar, MO! This recently remodeled home features a spacious open floor plan, perfect for everyday living and entertaining. The kitchen offers newer stainless steel appliances, beautiful wood countertops, and newer painted cabinetry. Just off the kitchen, you’ll find a large laundry room, and all appliances—including the washer and dryer—stay with the
Price Improvement!! This unique property is MOVE-IN READY and selling AS-IS, with ALL appliances included. Check out this large home with several updates, including a new roof (2023), HVAC system (2020) energy-efficient double-pane windows (2015), wiring and plumbing (2004).Once a duplex, the layout now provides several flexible living spaces! It could easily be used as a 4 or 5 bedroom
Welcome home to this beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offering 1,500 square feet of stylish, move-in-ready living space! Completely renovated in 2021, this home features modern finishes and an inviting open-concept kitchen that's perfect for entertaining, with plenty of cabinetry, updated fixtures, and a convenient pantry just off the kitchen for extra storage. The spacious layout
This 10 +/- acre tract has both visibility and convenience wrapped into one spot. The northbound and southbound entrance and exit ramps provide future business owners the perfect location for a high-visibility, easily accessible location along Interstate 49. Traffic counts from MoDot give a daily average on I-49 of over 7,000 vehicles, which are full of potential clients for your business.
Access, exposure, and opportunity, all combined makes this property an entrepreneur’s dream come true. The large 50’x108’ building with a 12’ front porch provides major curb appeal. The oversized sign helps capture the attention of over 7,000 motorists traveling the interstate daily. With on and off ramps conveniently located out front, you are sure to gain the business of
Deer hunting, turkey hunting, fishing, creek-bottom habitat, and future land-use potential. Here is an outstanding opportunity to own 80 acres of recreational ground in Barton County, Missouri. This property offers the kind of diverse habitat that outdoorsmen look for, with a strong blend of cover, water, creek-bottom ground, open areas, and multiple locations that could be developed into
This great 160+/- acres farm is conveniently located just East of Lamar MO near the town of Milford. The property offers large open pastures with great fencing, tillable ground, ample water for livestock with ponds and automatic waterers, New 700' well that tested at 80+ gpm and can be outfitted for irrigation, pipe corrals, year round creek, wooded ground for wildlife and views in every
What a great opportunity to purchase an 80 acre tract in Barton County, Missouri! There is a lot to like about a great combo farm. The beautiful mix of mature timber and open pasture make it ideal for livestock, hay production, hunting, or building your dream home. The land features a large pond stocked with bass and bluegill, that are bound to bite almost every cast. The timber has areas for
Discover a well-equipped 75-acre cattle farm in Barton County, Missouri, offering the ideal combination of productive pasture, quality improvements, and natural beauty. This property is ready for livestock with excellent fencing, strong grass establishment, and pastures that have been recently fertilized to support continued grazing performance. The land features beautiful timber, a scenic creek,
This cozy 3 bed, 2.5 bath 1,800 square foot home sits on a spacious 9 +/-acres just off the highway. With big mature shade trees in the front yard and acres of open pasture in the back, it is a perfect fit for anyone looking for a homestead. The back pasture has a nice-sized pond perfect for watering livestock and fishing just out your back door. A 34’x36’ barn provides adequate room
This beautiful 3,918 square foot home with multiple outbuildings is a homesteader's dream come true. Located just a couple of miles off blacktop, this peaceful 7.5 +/-acres has everything you need for a successful homestead. The home has a large kitchen with custom Amish cabinets throughout and lots of counter space for prep work. A large cellar that is accessible from inside the house makes
Move in ready, recently renovated two bedroom home in Lamar MO with tons of history and character.Bed/Bath: 2 / 1 | Sq. Ft: 900Rent: $950/month | Lease Term: 12 monthsAnimals: Cats and small dogs under 25 pounds allowed | Animal Fee: $250 (1x non-refundable) | Animal Rent: $25 per month up to two animals maxSecurity Deposit: $425 (Required to lock in property
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
