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Joplin, Missouri

A city defined by resilience, Joplin was built on lead and zinc mining wealth along Route 66, then devastated by a catastrophic EF5 tornado in 2011 that killed 158 people — the deadliest single tornado in America since 1947. The city's remarkable rebuilding became a national story of community strength.
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Founded 1871 | Population 51,000 | Peak 51,000 (2024) | County Jasper/Newton County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Joplin, Missouri

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1871 Founded: Joplin was established at the center of the Tri-State Mining District for lead and zinc.
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1903 Mining Peak: Joplin became the lead and zinc capital of the world, producing much of the nation's supply.
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1926 Route 66: Route 66 was established running through Joplin, bringing travelers and commerce through the city.
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1943 Bonnie & Clyde: Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow had a famous shootout with police at an apartment in Joplin.
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2011 EF5 Tornado: An EF5 tornado killed 158 people and destroyed one-third of Joplin — the deadliest U.S. tornado since 1947.
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Latest News in Joplin

Jan 1, 1970
American Airlines Pilot Sparks Outrage For Having ‘Offensive Sticker’ On His Luggage 
Dana Finley Morrison, a Missouri fraternity and sorority worker, was on an American Airlines flight from St. Lucia to Miami on Sat…
Jan 1, 1970
Missouri High School Students Walk Out Protest Transgender Girl
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (March 7, 2016) — Tensions boiled over at a Missouri high school on Monday when dozens of students staged a …
Jan 1, 1970
Missouri Lawmakers Consider Bills Both Sides Gun Debate
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (March 3, 2016) – In the midst of a heated national conversation on firearms, Missouri’s lawmakers too…
Jan 1, 1970
Missouri Mailman Saves Elderly Womans Life
St. Louis, Missouri (January 11, 2016) – In a quiet neighborhood on the outskirts of town, a routine mail delivery turned into a…
Jan 1, 1970
Missouri Lawmakers Consider Both Bills Both Sides Gun Debate
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — On December 2, 2015, Missouri lawmakers dove into a heated discussion over a pair of bills that captured t…
Jan 1, 1970
Missouri Lawmakers Consider New Gun Bills
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — On September 4, 2015, Missouri lawmakers dove into heated discussions over a slate of new gun bills that c…

Complete Historical Timeline

1871 Industry
Founded
1903 Industry
Mining Peak
1926 Transport
Route 66
1943 Crime
Bonnie & Clyde
2011 Disaster
EF5 Tornado

Did You Know?

1
2011 EF5 tornado killed 158 — deadliest since 1947.
2
Route 66 passes through Joplin.
3
Was 'Lead and Zinc Capital.'.
4
Joplin is located in Jasper/Newton County, Missouri.
5
Joplin was founded in 1871.

Famous People from Joplin, Missouri

LH
Langston Hughes
Writer, Poet · Born Feb 1, 1901 · Died May 22, 1967 (age 66)
RC
Robert Cummings
Screenwriter, Actor · Born Jun 9, 1910 · Died Dec 2, 1990 (age 80)
DW
Dennis Weaver
Screenwriter, Actor · Born Jun 4, 1924 · Died Feb 24, 2006 (age 81)
PS
Pauline Starke
Actor, Film Actor · Born Jan 10, 1901 · Died Feb 3, 1977 (age 76)
CP
Carl Pomerance
Mathematician, University Teacher · Born Nov 24, 1944 · Age 81

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