Joplin's Story Project
Our Stories
Six chapters. One unforgettable city. Each location is a piece of Joplin's identity — explore them all, or start with the one that calls to you.
Joplin's history isn't locked away in a museum
It's on the street corners, in the architecture, in the neighborhoods, and written into the landscape of this city. These six stories are your guide — each one a window into a different chapter of who Joplin is and how it got here.
Whether you're exploring from home or standing a block away from one of these locations right now, every story is worth knowing.
Our Stories
Explore Joplin's History
STORY 1:
The City That Never Should Have Been
There was a time when what we now call Joplin was actually two towns — and they hated each...
STORY 2:
The Neighborhood Where Joplin's Elite Lived — and Still Do
There's a neighborhood in Joplin where the trees arch over the...
STORY 3:
The Mural, the Building, and the Last Signature of a Legend
Thomas Hart Benton was one of the most celebrated American painters of the 20th century...
STORY 4:
The Apartment Where Bonnie and Clyde Made Their Last Big Mistake
The officers who responded to the call on April 13, 1933, weren't...
Story 05:
Before Bob Cummings, Before Lindbergh — Joplin Was Already Flying
Most cities have one connection to early aviation history. A famous...
Story 06:
The Boy Who Became America's First Flight Instructor
Most people know the name Bob Cummings from the silver screen — the charming bachelor...
Ready to Explore in Person?
See Every Location on the Map
All six story locations are plotted on our companion map app. Open it and build your own self-guided tour of Joplin's history — at your own pace, in any order.
A Leadership Joplin Class 2026 Project
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Various Joplin, MO photographs provided by 1281 Photography and Waypoint UAV.