Monett in Barry County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Monett Harvey House

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 29, 2024

1. Monett Harvey House Marker

Inscription. The founder of the Harvey Houses was Frederick Henry Harvey. After he married, he and his wife opened up their first Harvey House in 1878 in Florence, Kansas. In 1881 he replaced his male waiters with the famous “Harvey Girls.” Harvey gained a boost in business with his incorporation of the “Harvey Girls.” He hired women between the ages of 18 and 30 and did not permit them to marry until they had put in a full year of work. Harvey Girls resided in housing adjacent to the restaurants, where they were supervised with curfews and chaperoned male visits. In 1901, when Frederick died, he had 47 restaurants in the United States, 15 hotels, and 30 dining cars on the AT&SF Railroad. The Harvey House restaurants continued to be built and operated into the 1960s. Monett's Harvey House opened 1896, and burned down in 1914. The restaurant was connected to the railroad of Monett and was part of a hotel, which provided housing for many people. Frederick Harvey prided his establishments on cleanliness, having friendly and efficient service, and serving good food at a reasonable price.

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This sign was created by students under the direction of Monett High School Missouri Literature and Composition teacher Amy M. Sampson and was paid for via a grant she wrote and was awarded from Rural Schools Collaborative and their 2023 Celia B. Godsil Grants in Place Fellows Program.

Erected 2023 by Monett High School students.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Missouri, Monett High School class project series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.

Location. 36° 55.194′ N, 93° 55.317′ W. Marker is in Monett, Missouri, in Barry County. It is at the intersection of Front Street and 5th Street, on the right when traveling east on Front Street. Marker is along the fence by the railroad tracks across Front Street from Jerry D. Hall Pavilion. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Monett MO 65708, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Missouri and in the Branson and Table Rock Lake Area.

It is also in the American

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 29, 2024

2. Monett Harvey House Marker

Featured marker is on the left.

Ozarks,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Monett Lynching (here, next to this marker); Whistle Stops (here, next to this marker); Strawberry Capital of the World (here, next to this marker); The Frisco Railroad (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Where Did Monett Get its Name? (about 400 feet away); Monett Floods (about 400 feet away); Monett Railroad YMCA (about 400 feet away); The Gillioz Theater (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monett.

Also see . . . Fred Harvey Company. Wikipedia entry on the company, founded by Fred Harvey in 1876, that built the first restaurant chain in the United States. (Submitted on July 17, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Monett's Harvey House During Snowstorm image. Click for full size.

via Barry County Museum (Public Domain), January 11, 1909

3. Monett's Harvey House During Snowstorm

Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 556 times since then and 99 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on July 17, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.