Joplin in Jasper County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Jasper County Courthouse
Joplin, Missouri
Jasper County, Missouri boasts two county courthouses -- one in Joplin and one in Carthage, the county seat. Actually, there could have been three county courthouses; Webb City also insisted upon having one. Bitter rivals in the 1890s, the three towns fought over where the county courthouse would be built. Joplin and Webb City refused to be taxed for constructing a courthouse in Carthage. Leaders of Carthage and Joplin came to physical blows over the dispute. A compromise was finally struck; two courthouses were built.
The cornerstone of the Joplin courthouse was laid May 8, 1894 with an elaborate ceremony attended by 15,000 people. Fifty-one organizations participated in the parade. City and county officials waxed eloquent, until a sudden spring thunderstorm broke up the festivities.
The courthouse was formally dedicated in April 1895. Joplin architect William B. Rees designed the brick and limestone building. Its ground dimensions were 58' x 78'; the corner tower stood 92' tall. The courthouse was typically Victorian in style, with its assymetrical shape, towers, mansard roof, and finials.
Unfortunately, the imposing structure barely survived into the 20th century. It succumbed to a disastrous fire on June 13, 1911. Starting at 2:30 p.m., when a can of disinfectant exploded in the basement; the flames quickly devoured the building. Insufficient water pressure prevented firefighters from containing the blaze. Quick-thinking county officials flung records into a vault before leaping from a second floor window. The building was declared a total loss at 25,000.
Except for its cornerstone, nothing remains of the 1894 Joplin courthouse. This monument, built near the original site, commemorates the 100th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone and the spirit of optimism with which it was laid.
Erected 1994.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1895.
Location. 37° 4.994′ N, 94° 30.739′ W. Marker is in Joplin, Missouri, in Jasper County. Marker is on Virginia Avenue south of 7th Street (Missouri Route 66), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 711 Virginia Avenue, Joplin MO 64801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Joplin World War II Memorial (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Joplin Korean War and Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Swartz & Malsbury Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Quinby Building (approx. 0.3 miles away); Joplin (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Connor Hotel (approx. 0.4 miles away); Birds Eye View of Joplin 1877 (approx. 0.6 miles away); Discovery of Lead (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Joplin.
Also see . . .
1. Jasper County History. Jasper County website entry (Submitted on July 23, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. A History of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people (1912). Internet Archive website entry (Submitted on July 23, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 523 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 23, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.