Joplin

The plaque's roll of Joplin names leaves out a poet born here. Langston Hughes was born in Joplin on February 1, 1901, though he later gave 1902 in his autobiography. His parents separated soon after his birth, and he grew up mostly in Lawrence, Kansas, raised by his grandmother Mary Patterson Langston. In June 1921 the NAACP's magazine The Crisis published his poem The Negro Speaks of Rivers, and his first book, The Weary Blues, followed in 1926. He died in New York City on May 22, 1967.

What the plaque says

Joplin Joplin, at the edge of the Ozark Highland, the city that lead and zinc built, was first sparsely settled as a farming community, 1838, by John C. Cox, followed by the Rev. H. G. Joplin, and others. The first post office, 1840, was named Blytheville in honor of a Cherokee Indian, Billy Blythe. Lead, discovered by Neosho miner David Campbell while visiting William Tingle, 1849, attracted settlers mainly from the Ozarks, though real development followed the Civil War. In 1870 E. R. Moffet and J. B. Sergeant sank the first bonanza shaft on Joplin Creek, precipitating a mining boom. Soon rival interests established the town of Murphysburg on the west and Joplin City on the east of Joplin Creek. The two towns were joined briefly as Union City, then as the City of Joplin, 1873. Zinc ore (blackjack), discarded at first, became more valuable to mine than lead. By 1890 Joplin held national recognition as a lead and zinc producer. Capt. E. O. Bartlett's process for making sublimed white lead contributed to the expanding prosperity. (See other side) Joplin (Continued from other side) Joplin is in a resort area of spring-fed streams, rugged mountains, and deep valleys named for its beauty and popularity the Ozark Playgrounds of Missouri. The city lies in both Jasper and Newton counties. Often called the "Capital of the Empire District," Joplin is an industrial, commercial, transportation, and distributing center for parts of 4 states. Among many factors making Joplin an industrial and wholesale point are "Smelter Hill," where much Tri- State ore is converted into commercial products; vast truck-in stockyards; and a distributing center for electric power. Nearby Webb City, also founded on lead and zinc, turned to diversified industry at the end of the first World War. Carterville, another boom town, declined after that war. In the area is abandoned Oronogo Circle Mine, said to have had an output valued at 30 million dollars. Outstanding Tri-State Mineral Museum is in Schifferdecker Park. In Joplin was home of John M. Malang noted leader in Missouri's highway development. Erected by State Historical Society of Missouri and State Highway Commission, 1953

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• George Washington Carver National Monument — 11 mi
  The Moses Carver farm west of Diamond where George Washington Carver was born enslaved, the first national monument to an African American, told largely through Carver's own memory of the place.
• Brush Creek Bridge (Rainbow Bridge) — 13 mi
  The last of three Marsh rainbow arch bridges on Kansas's short stretch of Route 66, built in 1923 and kept standing in 1992 when the road association refused to let it go.
• Boots Court — 13 mi
  A 1939 Streamline Moderne motor court at the Carthage corner where Route 66 met the Jefferson Highway, rescued after decades of decline and renting all 13 rooms again, radios and no televisions.
• Battle of Carthage State Historic Site — 13 mi
  Carter Spring, where Franz Sigel's Union troops camped before the Battle of Carthage of July 5, 1861 and the State Guard camped after it, eleven days before Bull Run.

More markers nearby

• Baxter Springs Massacre — 13 mi
• Carthage — 14 mi
• Neosho — 18 mi
• Wyandot Tribe — 24 mi