Neosho, Missouri facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Neosho, Missouri
City
Newton County Courthouse, 2006
Nickname(s):  City of Springs, Flower Box City, Gateway to the Ozarks
Location of Neosho, Missouri
Country	United States
State	Missouri
County	Newton
Founded	1829
Incorporated	August 20, 1847, again in 1878
Government
• Type	Council-Manager
Area
• Total	15.77 sq mi (40.86 km2)
• Land	15.75 sq mi (40.80 km2)
• Water	0.02 sq mi (0.06 km2)
Elevation	1,037 ft (316 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	12,590
• Density	799.31/sq mi (308.61/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes	64850
Area code(s)	417
FIPS code	29-51572
GNIS feature ID	0723172
Website	www.neoshomo.org

Neosho (say "nee-OH-shoh") is the biggest city in Newton County, Missouri, United States. It's also the main town for the county government. In 2020, about 12,590 people lived there. Neosho is part of the larger Joplin Metropolitan Area. This area has about 176,849 residents. Neosho is located on the western edge of the Ozarks region, in the far southwest part of Missouri.

The name "Neosho" comes from the Osage people. It means "clear, cold water," "many waters," or "the meeting of waters." This name refers to the many fresh water springs found in the area. These springs attracted different groups of Native Americans for thousands of years. The Osage Nation lived in this territory for a long time before Europeans arrived.

Just like the Osage people, early European-American settlers were also drawn to the springs. They started the community of Neosho in 1833. It officially became a city in 1878. Neosho is known as the "City of Springs" and has always been an important farming center. Since 1888, it has been home to the Neosho National Fish Hatchery. This is the oldest fish hatchery in the National Fish Hatchery System.

Locally, Neosho is also called the "Gateway to the Ozarks." Since 1957, it has been known as "the Flower Box City" because of its beautiful flower displays.

Neosho's Early History: 1829-1861

First Settlers Arrive

In the late 1820s, settlers from Europe, including English, Scottish, German, and Irish families, began moving to the Neosho area. The very first settler was Lunsford Oliver, who came from Tennessee in 1829. He settled near Shoal Creek. His closest neighbors were 60 miles away in Springfield. By 1831, more families joined him. George McInturf built the first corn mill in the region.

The area was once called "Six Bulls." This name came from the six large streams that flowed through the region, like Shoal Creek and Spring River. By 1835, there were at least three schools along Shoal Creek. The first churches were started around 1836 by Methodist Circuit riders.

In 1843, Rev. Anthony Bewley helped set up the first lasting churches. Native Americans from the Southeast, who had been moved to the Indian Territory (now Oklahoma), sometimes visited the area for hunting.

Newton County is Formed

Newton County was created on December 31, 1838. It was named after Sergeant John Newton, a hero from the American Revolutionary War. Other counties like Jasper and McDonald were later formed from parts of Newton County.

The first county court meeting happened in 1839. Neosho was chosen as the permanent county seat. In 1840, the first courthouse, a log building, was built. In 1842, the first school in Neosho was opened by Wilson. He taught subjects like Latin and advanced math.

In the 1840s, lead was found in the area. This led to mining operations. Neosho's early businesses grew because of lead and zinc mining. Lead was sent by wagon from Neosho to the Indian Territory, then shipped down the Arkansas River and Mississippi River to New Orleans.

Changes and Growth in Neosho

In 1846, the town was surveyed, and the courthouse square was laid out. Neosho officially became a city on August 20, 1847. The first Baptist church was started in Neosho in 1847.

In 1849, McDonald County was created from the southern part of Newton County. A new brick courthouse was built in 1850. It cost $3,000. Many homes and businesses were built around the courthouse square. The first newspaper, the Neosho Chief, started in 1854.

In 1854, a monthly Pony Express mail route was planned from Neosho to Albuquerque, New Mexico. This route was important for trade and military use after the Mexican–American War. However, it was not very successful.

Neosho During the Civil War: 1861-1865

During the Civil War, different armies took control of Newton County. Many battles and small fights happened in and around Neosho. Schools were closed, and most school buildings were destroyed. The new courthouse was used by both armies and was destroyed around 1863.

Amazingly, the county records were saved. The county clerk, R.W. Ellis, hid them in a jail cell before he joined the Confederate Army in 1861.

A Brief Confederate Capital

On October 21, 1861, Missouri Governor Claiborne Jackson and pro-Southern members of the Missouri government met in Neosho. They had to leave Jefferson City because the Union Army was coming. On October 28, 1861, they made Neosho a temporary capital.

They met in the Masonic Hall and voted for Missouri to leave the Union. This meant Missouri joined the Confederate States. The Confederate government accepted this vote, and Missouri became the 12th state in the Confederacy. However, other pro-Union members of the government had already removed Jackson from office. They set up their own government and appointed Hamilton R. Gamble as governor. So, Missouri had three governors during the Civil War!

General Sterling Price tried to organize a Confederate defense of Missouri, but his efforts ended after he was defeated in March 1862 at Pea Ridge.

In 1863, Union troops were stationed in Neosho. On October 4, 1863, Confederate General Joseph Shelby attacked the town. He burned part of it and forced the Union troops to surrender.

After the war, in 1865, the county court started meeting again. Elections were held in 1866, and order returned. A new, stronger stone and brick courthouse was finished in 1878. A jail was built in 1887.

Neosho's Growth and Modern Times

Rebuilding and Railroads

After the Civil War, Neosho grew into an important business center in southwest Missouri. Its population grew from about 500 people in 1870 to 2,725 by 1900. Many brick buildings were built around the courthouse square for businesses like stores, hotels, and factories.

The Southern Belle train used to offer passenger service to Neosho until 1969.

The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad reached Neosho in 1870. This railroad later became the San Francisco and St Louis railroad. In 1887, the Kansas City-Fort Smith and Southern Railroad also came to Neosho. This railroad served the Neosho National Fish Hatchery, which was built the next year. This hatchery is the oldest federal fish hatchery still running today!

Saving Europe's Vineyards

In 1882, something amazing happened in Neosho. Vineyards in France, Spain, and Portugal were being destroyed by a tiny bug called phylloxera. It was discovered that grapes grown by Neosho winemaker Hermann Jaeger were resistant to this bug. His work helped save the famous vineyards of Europe. Jaeger sent grape cuttings from his vineyards to help replant the lost ones. For his huge help, France gave him the French Legion of Honour, their highest award for a civilian.

By 1898, Newton County had 101 schools and over 7,600 students. By the early 1900s, Neosho was a busy town with three rail lines. It exported many products and farm goods.

20th Century Changes

On August 5, 1914, a terrible train crash happened near Tipton Ford, a few miles north of Neosho. A passenger car carrying gasoline crashed head-on with another train. Forty-three people died, and many were badly burned. Two days later, a funeral was held on the Newton County courthouse lawn for over 30 people who could not be identified. They were buried in a mass grave in the Neosho cemetery.

Newton County's Art Deco-style courthouse, built in 1936.

During the Great Depression, the government helped build the Neosho City Hall and Municipal Auditorium, as well as the current Newton County Courthouse. The old courthouse was torn down in 1935. The new one, built in the Art Deco style, was finished in 1936. The City Hall and Auditorium were completed in 1938 and were restored in 2008.

Neosho was also home to Fort Crowder. This military base was started in 1941 during World War II as Camp Crowder. It was a training center for soldiers. Famous people like Dick Van Dyke and Mort Walker were stationed there. Mort Walker later used his experiences at the muddy camp to create his famous comic strip, Beetle Bailey, which features "Camp Swampy."

Camp Crowder closed in 1951. Some of its buildings were sold, and others were used to create Crowder College, a local community college.

The Flower Box City

Since 1957, Neosho has been known as "The Flower Box City." That year, it won the All-America City Award for its efforts to make the town beautiful. In 1955, the town received a grant to help. Local companies provided wood, and volunteers built over 200 wooden flower boxes. A milk company donated old barrels for container gardens, and local plant nurseries sold plants cheaply. The city decorated trash cans and parking meters with flower baskets.

Look magazine and the National Municipal League gave Neosho the All-America City Award in 1957. Since then, a committee has continued to support making the town beautiful. They give out "Beauty Spot" prizes each spring and summer for the best yards and flower displays.

Fort Crowder's Later Life

In the 1950s, a local politician tried to reopen Fort Crowder as a permanent military police training school. However, after he lost an election, the fort was closed again.

About 2,000 acres of the base were given to the U. S. Air Force. They built Plant 65, a factory that made rocket engines. This factory, run by Rocketdyne, made the H-1 rocket engine used in NASA's Apollo missions. This work continued until 1968.

On April 24, 1975, a large tornado hit Neosho. It caused a lot of damage and killed three people. It destroyed a motel, apartments, a mobile home park, and many homes and businesses.

Neosho in the 21st Century

Today, Neosho is experiencing a new period of growth, especially in its historic downtown area. People are working together to restore and improve the old buildings, update the city's services, and make downtown a better place to live and visit.

Other Important Events

• 1870 – The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad arrives in Neosho.
• 1878 – Neosho officially becomes a city.
• 1888 – The Neosho National Fish Hatchery is built, and telephone service starts in town.
• 1938 – Parts of the 1939 movie Jesse James, starring Tyrone Power and Henry Fonda, are filmed at the Kansas City Southern railroad station. Many local people were extras in the movie.
• 1939 – Neosho celebrates its 100th birthday with a special mural painted by Duard Marshall.
• 1978 – Neosho is named an All-Missouri Certified City.
• 2006 – Neosho is chosen as one of the first ten cities for Missouri Governor Matt Blunt's DREAM Initiative. This program helps improve downtown areas and boost the economy.
• 2007 – Three people are killed and others injured when Eiken Elam Saimon takes hostages at a church.
• 2015 – December 29 – Historic flooding hits Newton County. Creek levels are seven feet higher than ever before.
• 2017 – April 29 – Another massive flood in Neosho. Cars are submerged, and homes are damaged.

Neosho's Location and Weather

Where is Neosho?

Neosho is in the south-central part of Newton County. It's about 15 miles south of Joplin. The city is located where US routes 60 and 71 meet.

The city covers about 15.75 square miles. Most of this area is land, with a very small amount of water.

Neosho is famous for its many springs, which are natural places where water flows out of the ground.

Big Spring

Big Spring is Neosho's largest spring. It's located near the historic downtown in the city's main park, Big Spring Park. The spring water comes out from under a tall rock cliff and flows through the park.

Bell's Iron Spring

Also known as Walbridge Spring, this spring is about 900 feet east of Big Spring. It was very important in Neosho's early days. The city is working to restore this spring and turn the area into a public park. They are also working with wildlife groups because rare Ozark cave fish live in the spring.

Hatchery Springs

Hearrell, McMahon, Bartholic, and Elm Springs provide water to the Neosho National Fish Hatchery. Hearrell Spring started supplying water to the hatchery in 1888. McMahon Spring was added in 1908. Later, Elm Spring and Bartholic Spring also began supplying water. The combined flow from these four springs is about 2 million gallons of water per day for the hatchery.

Other Springs in Neosho

• Bethesda Spring – in the northeast part of town. People once believed it had healing powers.
• Birch Spring – a strong spring just south of Bethesda Spring.
• Brock's Spring – on the eastern edge of Neosho.
• Carter & Clark Springs – in the northern part of town. Early residents thought they had medicinal qualities.
• Hobo Spring – also known as Williams Spring, west of downtown.
• McElhany Springs – forming a clear stream in the western part of town.
• Mertin Springs – three springs north of Bethesda Spring that flow from beneath a cliff.
• Morse Spring
• Sevier's Springs – two soft water springs just south of Brock's Spring.

Neosho's Climate

Neosho is located in a part of the United States with many freshwater streams and lakes. It has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has moderate rain and can have very hot and very cold temperatures. Summers can be very humid, with warm, moist air coming from the Gulf of Mexico. In July and August, daytime temperatures can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters can be mild or very cold, with temperatures sometimes dropping below zero.

Neosho is in "Tornado Alley." This is a large area where cold air from the Rocky Mountains and Canada meets warm air from the Gulf of Mexico. This often leads to strong storms. Neosho has experienced many severe tornado outbreaks. For example, an EF4 tornado hit the Neosho area on May 10, 2008. It traveled about 80 miles across two states. The major tornado in 1975 also caused a lot of damage and killed three people. The region also gets ice storms, like the one in 2007. During that storm, hundreds of thousands of people lost power for days or even weeks.

Neosho's Population

Population in 2020

The 2020 United States census counted 12,590 people living in Neosho. There were 4,382 households and 2,769 families. The population density was about 799 people per square mile.

Most of the people (about 73%) were white. About 12% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.

About 34% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.6 people. The average family had 3.3 people.

About 27% of the population was under 18 years old. The average age in the city was 33.2 years.

Places to See in Neosho

Cultural Spots

• Newton County Historical Society Museum
• Longwell Museum
• Thomas Hart Benton Collection (art)
• Neosho National Fish Hatchery – the oldest working Federal Fish Hatchery
• Big Spring Park
• Morse Park
• Bicentennial Park

Historic Downtown

View of Neosho's town square. The building directly opposite was once the site of the temporary Confederate state capitol building.

A large part of downtown Neosho is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historic area. The Second Baptist Church and the Neosho High School are also listed. Since 2001, people have been working to bring downtown Neosho back to life. They have restored buildings, added new street lights and sidewalks, and improved storefronts.

Fun and Legends in Neosho

Entertainment

• Neosho Civic Center (also called "The Civic") – This building used to be the Neosho Municipal Auditorium.

Local Legends

There's a local legend that Confederate gold is buried in Neosho. Some say a cave holds the gold and the remains of soldiers. In 2002, the former city manager, Jim Cole, said he thought he found this missing cave.

Another part of the legend is that two brothers, J.W. Abbott and E.M. Abbott, got lost exploring the cave in the early 1900s. Because of this, the cave was later closed. The Abbott brothers created the Big Spring Park Fund, and there's a plaque near Big Spring Cave in their memory.

Neosho's Economy

Major Industries

• BASF (a chemical company)
• La-Z-Boy Incorporated – They assemble recliners and sofas here.
• Premier Turbines – This company repairs and overhauls aircraft engines. It used to be Rocketdyne.
• Newell Brands – This company makes many different consumer products.
• Leggett & Platt-Formed Wire Division – They make various wire products.

Learning in Neosho

Public Schools

• Neosho School District: The current board members are Brett Day, Jonathan Russell, Steven Douglas, Kim Wood, Phil Wise, Keri Collinsworth, and Stuart Puckett.
• Crowder College: This college has been involved in alternative energy research since the 1980s. In 1984, they built the first solar-powered vehicle to travel across the United States. In 2009, they started building the MARET Center. This center helps develop new programs and systems for alternative energy.

Private Schools

• Neosho Beauty College
• Neosho Christian Schools (for grades K-12)
• Ozark Bible Institute and College (www.obi.college)
• Ozark Christian Academy (for Pre K-12)
• Trinity Learning Center

Library

Neosho has a public library called the Neosho Newton County Library.

News and Transportation

Radio Stations

• KBTN, 1420 AM – plays country music and news.
• KNEO, 91.7 FM – plays Christian music.

Newspapers

• Neosho Daily News
• The News-Dispatch

Highways

• Interstate 49 goes south to Northwest Arkansas and north to Joplin and Kansas City, Missouri.
• US 60 runs from Brenda, Arizona to Virginia Beach, Virginia. It goes east to Monett, Missouri and west to Vinita, Oklahoma.
• Jefferson Lines (an intercity bus service)

Railroads

Neosho was on the main line of the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway between St. Louis and Oklahoma City. It was also a stop on the old Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad. This railroad provided passenger and freight service from Joplin to Helena from 1906 to 1946.

• St. Louis-San Francisco Railway
• Kansas City Southern Railway
• BNSF Railway

Airport

Neosho has its own airport, called the Hugh Robinson Airport.

Sister City

• Pohnpei, Micronesia

Famous People from Neosho

James Scott – a ragtime composer born in Neosho.

• Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975) – a famous painter.
• James Bishop (1927-2021) – a modern painter.
• Scott Berry (1962- ) – head baseball coach at Southern Miss.
• George Washington Carver (1864-1943) – an African-American inventor and botanist who went to school in Neosho.
• Donn Clendenon (1935-2005) – a Major League Baseball player.
• David Edwards (1956– ) – a professional golfer.
• Allison Garrett (1964– ) – the current president of Emporia State University.
• Billy James Hargis (1925–2004) – a Christian speaker.
• H. Waldo Hatler (1894–1967) – a World War I soldier who received the Medal of Honor.
• Hermann Jaeger (1815–1890) – a Missouri wine pioneer who received the French Legion of Honor.
• Gavin Kelso (1990- ) – a bass player for Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder.
• Preston Lacy (1969- ) – a comedian who went to Neosho High School.
• Daniel Longwell (1899–1968) – a co-founder and managing editor of Life magazine.
• James Duard Marshall (1914–2010) – an artist who painted Neosho's centennial mural.
• Travis Phelps (1977– ) – a Major League Baseball pitcher.
• Charles T. Powers (1943–1996) – a journalist and novelist.
• Hugh Armstrong Robinson (1881-1963) – an aviation pioneer.
• Will Rogers (1879-1935) – a famous humorist who attended school in Neosho.
• James Scott (1885-1938) – a ragtime composer and pianist born in Neosho.

Images for kids

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  Newton County Courthouse, 2006

• 

  Location of Neosho, Missouri

• 

  The Southern Belle train used to offer passenger service to Neosho until 1969.

• 

  Newton County's Art Deco-style courthouse, built in 1936.

• 

  View of Neosho's town square. The building directly opposite was once the site of the temporary Confederate state capitol building.

• 

  James Scott – a ragtime composer born in Neosho.

See also

In Spanish: Neosho (Misuri) para niños