The Birth of Joplin
Origins and the Discovery of Lead
The land that would become Joplin, Missouri, was once an expanse of unbroken prairie. In 1868, it was covered in tall grass, scattered bushes, and occasional trees, offering little indication of the immense mineral wealth hidden beneath its surface. The area was sparsely populated, consisting of a few small farmhouses, crude fences, and primitive log cabins. Wildlife, including deer, roamed freely, and the land was mostly overlooked by settlers who passed through on their way westward in search of fortune in California’s gold fields.
Unbeknownst to these early travelers, they were walking over one of the richest lead and zinc deposits in the world. The first documented discovery of lead in the area came in 1849, when David Campbell of Neosho, Newton County, a miner with significant experience, unearthed traces of the metal. However, evidence suggested that the mines had been worked at a much earlier time—possibly by Native Americans or even Spanish explorers. Despite this revelation, no significant mining operations took place for many years.
Photo Labeled Joplin 1875
One of the earliest attempts to capitalize on the region’s mineral resources came when John Fitzgerald constructed an air furnace near a ravine—an area that would later house the Lone Elm Company’s works. However, this furnace was destroyed during the Civil War, and the land was once again dismissed as little more than second-rate farmland. For nearly two decades, the rich ore beneath the soil remained untouched.
That changed in the fall of 1870, when a group of experienced miners from the West arrived, intrigued by surface-level mineral deposits. They began exploratory digging, and the first official lead shaft was sunk 500 yards north and slightly west of what would become the Main Street Bridge over Joplin Creek. Soon after, two influential miners, Moffet & Sergeant, arrived from Oronogo and set up the region’s first furnace in August 1870.
Word of these discoveries spread quickly, and by 1871, more miners arrived, including Patrick Murphy and W.P. Davis from Carthage. In October of that year, Murphy and Davis constructed another smelting furnace in a ravine north and west of the corner of Main and Broadway. Their first carload of processed lead ore was shipped in November 1871, signaling to the world that Joplin was a mining town of immense potential.
The excitement surrounding these finds led to a massive influx of miners, speculators, and laborers. Hundreds of fortune-seekers poured into the area, swelling the population of what had once been empty prairie to nearly 400 residents. Most of them lived in tents or makeshift shelters, often lacking even the most basic comforts. Some miners had only a blanket for warmth at night, but they endured the hardships in the hope of striking it rich.
As the mining activity intensified, it became clear that a permanent settlement was needed to support the growing workforce. It was at this moment that the town of Joplin was born.
The Rivalry Between Joplin and Murphysburg
Recognizing the need for organization, John C. Cox, a landowner with extensive holdings in the region, took action. On July 28, 1871, he officially laid out the town of Joplin, subdividing the land and selling plots to newcomers eager to build homes and businesses.
At nearly the same time, Patrick Murphy and W.P. Davis saw an opportunity on the opposite side of Joplin Creek. In July 1871, they purchased land and established Murphysburg, a rival town just a short distance from Joplin. By August, they had already built a store, and their liberal land policies quickly attracted settlers.
By fall of 1871, both towns were thriving, each with a population of about 500 residents. However, they were in direct competition with one another, each striving to attract new businesses, investors, and settlers. While Murphysburg was larger and wealthier, Joplin had superior infrastructure and more organized development. The official town plat for Murphysburg was recorded on September 4, 1871, marking its formal establishment.
Business was booming in both settlements. By early 1872, Joplin had 2 hotels, 2 livery stables, 2 grocery stores, 2 dry goods stores, 1 hardware store, 1 furniture store, 1 meat market, 1 boot and shoe store, 3 general stores, 5 saloons, 1 drugstore, 1 news depot, 1 restaurant, and 1 carpenter shop.
Meanwhile, Murphysburg had the smelting furnaces of Moffet & Sergeant and Davis & Murphy, 1 hotel, 1 livery stable, 3 grocery stores, 3 dry goods stores, 1 meat market, 1 general store, 1 boot and shoe store, 2 drugstores, 3 saloons, 3 restaurants, 1 wagon and blacksmith shop, 1 carpenter shop, 1 news depot, and 1 newspaper.
Photo of Patrick Murphy
Despite their rapid growth, both Joplin and Murphysburg suffered from a lack of law and order. Without formal government or law enforcement, the streets were filled with drunken brawls, gunfights, and general lawlessness. The two towns had no police force, and justice was often delivered at the barrel of a gun.
Recognizing the need for stability, residents from both Joplin and Murphysburg held meetings on February 27, 1872, to discuss the possibility of merging into a single incorporated city. John B. Sergeant chaired the Murphysburg meeting, while Patrick Murphy proposed the unification as a way to establish order.
A committee was formed, and within a day, representatives from both towns met to draft a petition for incorporation. The proposed name for the combined city was “Union City”. The petition was circulated and signed by nearly all residents.
On March 4, 1872, two representatives traveled to Carthage to present the petition to the county court, only to discover that the court had adjourned until March 14. When the hearing finally took place, the petition was approved, and the county court appointed trustees to oversee governance.
However, not everyone was satisfied. Dissatisfaction, particularly among east-side residents, led to immediate legal challenges. On April 1, 1872, the newly elected town board was summoned to Carthage to defend the legality of the incorporation. Judge Hendricks, an outspoken opponent of municipal incorporations, refused to grant a fair hearing, and the case was transferred to Shannon County.
As the legal battle raged on, Joplin continued to grow. Despite the uncertainty, businesses thrived, homes were built, and infrastructure expanded. The people of Joplin and Murphysburg had proven they were here to stay.
Legal Battles, the Post Office Dispute, and the Fight for Incorporation
Despite the March 14, 1872, approval of incorporation for Union City, the town remained embroiled in legal disputes. Many residents, particularly those from East Joplin, opposed the merger, claiming it was executed without proper representation. On April 1, 1872, the town board was summoned to Carthage to justify its legitimacy before the county court. Unfortunately, Judge Hendricks, a staunch opponent of town incorporations, was openly hostile to the case. He refused to grant a fair hearing, forcing the town board to request a change of venue. The case was subsequently transferred to Shannon County, where it remained in legal limbo for months before ultimately being dismissed.
While legal opposition to the incorporation of Union City created serious problems for local governance, another major controversy erupted—the post office dispute. With the merger, a new post office was requested and approved, replacing the old Blytheville post office, which had long served East Joplin. However, the new post office was placed on the Murphysburg side of Joplin Creek, sparking outrage among East Joplin residents, who felt they had been betrayed. Many believed that Murphysburg had effectively stolen their post office, adding to existing tensions between the two communities.
The combination of legal uncertainty and the post office dispute left Union City in a state of division and dysfunction. Without a unified government, clear legal standing, or the ability to effectively enforce ordinances and collect taxes, the town struggled to operate. Ultimately, the opposition from East Joplin residents intensified, leading to a petition to dissolve Union City altogether. Their efforts were successful, and the incorporation was declared illegal, dissolving the short-lived Union City and reinstating Joplin City and Murphysburg as separate entities.
It was not until 1873 that the conflict finally reached a resolution. Patrick Murphy proposed renaming the town Joplin, and on March 23, 1873, Joplin City and Murphysburg were legally merged under the name Joplin with a special charter from the Missouri Legislature, officially granting Joplin recognition as a city. This ended years of disputes, allowing the city to function under a stable government, enforce laws, and move forward with civic development.