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Joplin Downtown Historic District, Missouri

Historic district
In Joplin, Missouri
On Route 66
National Register of Historic Places

The Joplin Downtown Historic District covers the heart of the old business district in Joplin, MO, with 48 buildings that contribute to its historic character. They went up over about 75 years, from roughly 1883 to 1958, so one walk takes in several eras of American commercial design. The district lies right beside the Route 66 corridor, which makes it a natural place to park and stretch your legs.

What is Joplin Downtown Historic District?

This is a collection of commercial blocks rather than a single attraction. Styles run from Mission Revival and Art Deco to postwar Modern Movement storefronts. Several buildings had their own listings before the district was drawn, among them the Frisco Building, the Newman Brothers Building, the Fox Theater and the small Fifth and Main group of storefronts.

History of Joplin Downtown Historic District

Older names to look for include the Cunningham Bank, later remodeled as the Quinby Building, from about 1884; the Muenning Building, around 1885; the Zelleken Block and the Frank Hollcroft Livery Building, both about 1890; the Model Clothing Store Building, around 1899; and the Liberty Building of 1923. The Lichliter-Kassab Building shows two eras at once, with work from 1893 and 1940. The district joined the National Register in 2008.

Visiting Joplin Downtown Historic District: tips

Allow half an hour for a self-guided walk; the buildings are private and best enjoyed from the sidewalk. The Frisco Building, the Connor Hotel and the Newman Brothers Building are all about 0.1 mile away. Look up as you go to take in the upper floors and rooflines.

Practical info

On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

On the map

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Joplin Downtown Historic District with the 6 closest stops. Tap a marker for details.

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Stops near Joplin Downtown Historic District

All of Missouri

St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad Building

Joplin, Missouri · on Route 66

A nine-story railroad station and office tower from 1913 that still anchors downtown Joplin.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

0.1 mi from Joplin Downtown Historic District

Connor Hotel

Joplin, Missouri · on Route 66

Site of Joplin's 1908 hotel, which collapsed without warning a day before its planned demolition in 1978.

Historic hotelPhoto credit

0.1 mi from Joplin Downtown Historic District

Newman Brothers Building

Joplin, Missouri · 0.1 mi from Route 66

A Chicago School department store building in downtown Joplin, now home to city offices.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

0.1 mi from Joplin Downtown Historic District

Route 66 Park

Joplin, Missouri · on Route 66

A downtown Joplin park with giant Route 66 tile murals and a half-car photo prop.

Route 66 site

0.1 mi from Joplin Downtown Historic District

Fifth and Main Historic District

Joplin, Missouri · 0.1 mi from Route 66

Three connected early-1900s buildings on a downtown Joplin corner, now part of a larger district.

Historic districtPhoto credit

0.2 mi from Joplin Downtown Historic District

Joplin Supply Company

Joplin, Missouri · 0.1 mi from Route 66

A sturdy five-story 1922 commercial block of concrete and brick on the edge of downtown Joplin.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

0.2 mi from Joplin Downtown Historic District

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