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In 1933, the city became the temporary home of
none other than the notorious outlaws, Bonnie and Clyde. Spending several
weeks in Joplin,
plying their robbery trade at several local businesses. When tipped off by
a neighbor, the Joplin Police Department attempted to apprehend the pair
at their hideout, located at 34th Street and Oak Ridge Drive.
 However, the pair escaped after killing Newton County Constable
John Wesley Harryman and Joplin Police Detective Harry McGinnis. Today,
this historic apartment, called the Joplin Hideout, has has been restored
and decorated in 1930's era decor. It can now be rented by visitors by the
night, weekend or by the week.
After World War II, most of the mines were closed, and the population
growth leveled off; however, this became the time of the most extensive
travel along Route 66,
as Americans found themselves with more leisure time than ever before.
Unforunately, in the 1960's and 1970's, nearly 40 acres of the city's
downtown were razed in the name of progress. Some of these included the
Connor and Keystone Hotels, and
several
Route 66
landmarks.
However, many
historic views still exist
including the House of Lords Saloon at 407
Main Street, the Newman Mercantile Store building, a landmark since
1910, and now called home to
Joplin’s City Hall, the Frisco Depot, a one time
Harvey
House and Railroad office building that has been converted to
apartments, as well as the Union Depot, and the Fox Theater.
On May 6, 1971,
Joplin was struck by a severe tornado resulting in one
death and 50 injuries, along with major damage to many houses and
businesses. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be the last time. On May 22, 2011,
the city was struck by an even more devastating tornado, the single
most deadliest on record, killing at
least 125 people as of this writing.
Today, Joplin is called home to about 50,000
people. At the
Joplin
Museum Complex in Schifferdecker Park, you can see two museums that
tell the story of
Joplin’s history. The Dorothea B. Hoover Historical Museum
displays a variety of historic items, including a 1927 fire engine and
the Tri-State Mineral Museum houses one of the world’s largest
collections of lead and zinc ore, as well as mining tools and
equipment. Both are located at Fourth Street and Schifferdecker
Avenue. The historic Dale's Route
66 Barber Shop sits on the corner of Utica St. and Euclid Avenue, and
numerous vintage signs can be seen along or nearby the old Mother Road.
As you head out of
Joplin,
you will glimpse several old vintage pubs along the short drive to the
Kansas
State line and on to
Galena,
Kansas.
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Route
66 Signs 
