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Scott Joplin House State Historic Site facts for kids

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Scott Joplin House
State Historic Site
Scott Joplin House.jpg
Scott Joplin House State Historic Site is located in Missouri
Scott Joplin House State Historic Site
Scott Joplin House
State Historic Site
Location in Missouri
Scott Joplin House State Historic Site is located in the United States
Scott Joplin House State Historic Site
Scott Joplin House
State Historic Site
Location in the United States
Location 2658 Delmar Blvd.,
St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Area 3.9 acres (1.6 ha)
Established 1983
Visitors 1,170 (in 2022)
Governing body Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Website Scott Joplin House State Historic Site
Scott Joplin Residence
Built c. 1860
Architectural style Italianate
NRHP reference No. 76002235
Significant dates
Added to NRHP December 8, 1976
Designated NHL December 8, 1976

The Scott Joplin House State Historic Site is a special place in St. Louis, Missouri. It protects the home where the famous composer Scott Joplin lived. He stayed here from 1901 to 1903. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources takes care of the house and its area. It is a state historic site. In 1976, the house became a U.S. National Historic Landmark. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Discovering the Scott Joplin House

The Joplin House is west of downtown St. Louis. It is a two-story brick house. The roof has a unique gabled shape. The front of the house has six sections. Two central arched doorways welcome visitors. The windows on the first floor are round. Second-floor windows have a segmented arch shape. A small grassy area surrounds the house. An iron fence stands at the front.

When Was the House Built?

No one knows the exact year the house was built. Experts think it was around 1860. We know it was standing by 1874. This house is a typical "tenant rowhouse." These were common homes in the city back then.

Scott Joplin's Time in the House

This house is very important. It is the only known home of Scott Joplin that still exists. Joplin was an African-American composer. He lived here from 1900 to 1903. During this time, he wrote a very famous song. It was called "The Entertainer." This song became popular again much later. It was used in the 1973 movie, The Sting.

Saving a Piece of History

The home Joplin rented became a National Historic Landmark in 1976. The local African American community helped save it. They kept it from being torn down. In 1983, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources took over. It became the first state historic site in Missouri. This site celebrates African-American heritage.

Learning About the Past

At first, the site focused only on Joplin and ragtime music. Now, it tells a bigger story. It includes the history of black urban migration. This is about how many black families moved to cities. It also shows how the neighborhood changed. It became a diverse community. The site helps us understand important parts of history.

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