Scott Joplin House State Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scott Joplin HouseState Historic Site |
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 Scott Joplin House
State Historic Site Location in Missouri
Scott Joplin House
State Historic Site Location in the United States
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| Location | 2658 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri, United States |
| Area | 3.9 acres (1.6 ha) |
| Established | 1983 |
| Governing body | Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Scott Joplin House State Historic Site |
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Scott Joplin Residence
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| 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 famous composer Scott Joplin lived from 1901 to 1903. This house is now a historic site looked after by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. It became a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1976, which means it's a very important historical place.
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About the Joplin House
The Joplin House is located west of downtown St. Louis. It is a two-story brick house with a T-shape. The roof has pointed ends and chimneys on the sides.
The front of the house has six sections. It has two main entrances in the middle. The windows on the first floor are rounded at the top. The windows on the second floor have a flatter, arched shape.
There are also parts of the house that stick out to the back and to the right side. The area around the house is small and has a grassy spot. An iron fence and a granite curb are at the front.
History of the House
We don't know the exact year the house was built. Experts think it was built around 1860. We know for sure it was standing by 1874. It was a common type of house rented by people in the city back then.
Scott Joplin's Time Here
This house is very important because it's the only known home of Scott Joplin that still exists. Joplin was a famous African-American composer. He lived here from 1900 to 1903.
While living in this house, Joplin wrote one of his most famous songs. It was called "The Entertainer." This song became very popular many years later. It was used as the main music in the 1973 movie, The Sting. This helped Joplin get new recognition, 56 years after he passed away.
Saving the Historic Site
The home Joplin rented was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1976. The local African American community helped save it from being torn down.
In 1983, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources made it a state historic site. It was the first state historic site in Missouri focused on African-American heritage. At first, the site mainly taught about Joplin and ragtime music.
Now, the site also shares more about the history of black people moving to cities. It shows how the neighborhood changed over time. This helps visitors understand the wider community that shaped Joplin's music.
