Joplin Route 66 & Beyond

Red Oak II

County Loop 122 and Kafir Road
Take a trip to Yesteryear and stroll along the gravel path to view the re-creation of an early 20th century country village, featuring a general store, country church, one-room schoolhouse, town hall, a 1920s cottage-style Phillips 66 gasoline station, Belle Starr’s home, and much more.

Jasper County Courthouse on Carthage Square

302 S. Main Street
The Carthage Square is located along Route 66, and you can’t miss it as you will notice a Romanesque Revival building, which is the Jasper County Courthouse, the heart of the Carthage square. In the distance. This building is constructed of Carthage limestone and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Inside the Courthouse, view a mural by Lowell Davis, “Forged in Fire” portraying the history of Jasper County. The Courthouse is open to the public Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.

Civil War Museum

205 S. Grant Street
One block north of the court house, is the Civil War Museum. The museum presents artifacts and information about the Battle of Carthage and the Civil War in Southwest Missouri. The focal point is a mural painted by Andy Thomas, which features battle action on the courthouse square. Mini-displays on Belle Starr, African-American and Native American contributions to the ware and a diorama complete your visit. The museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM and Sunday 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM.

Shopping & Dining on the Carthage Square

Main and Grant Street between 4th and 7th Streets
Make time to wander the square to search for treasures in the numerous antique shops and admire art from local artists. Followed by all the exploring make time to relax in one of the local restaurants located on the square and mingle with the locals and possibly fellow Route 66 Travelers.

66 Drive-In Theater

17321 Old 66 Boulevard
The last of the original six drive-in theaters named after the famous road still in operation, and offering affordable family entertainment. Only G, PG, and PG-13 movies are shown. Open seasonally, on weekends April-September. Call for movies and show times, 417.359.5959. Discover More

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Candy House Gourmet Chocolates

510 S. Kentucky Avenue
Since 1970, this local candy shop has been a favorite sweet stop for people near and far. Today, customers around the world enjoy the Candy House's wonderful hand-dipped chocolates, English toffee, and caramel pecan treats.

With windows for watching candy makers in action, the Candy House Chocolate Factory's 8,400 square-foot downtown Joplin facility includes a large retail showroom with free samples, a large sugar-free selection, and in-store specials. Tours of the factory can be arranged prior to visiting. Discover more

Downtown Joplin

1st & Main Street – 8th & Main Street
Joplin’s downtown is on Route 66 and hosts dozens of shops, restaurants, and art galleries all knit together by a tight bunch of downtown city blocks. Discover more

Murals at City Hall

602 S. Main Street, 1st Floor

• "Joplin at the Turn of the Century, 1896-1906" is Thomas Hart Benton’s only autobiographical work and one of his finest creations. Dedicated on Joplin’s 100th birthday in 1973, this piece was Benton’s final signed mural.
• Evolution of a Mural, located on the mezzanine of City Hall, accompanies the display and documents the development of Benton’s thought process. Featuring one of Benton’s remaining maquettes, it includes his rough sketches of a monumental work in progress
• Route 66 – Joplin, Missouri was completed and dedicated on April 2010. The work commissioned by the Joplin Cultural Affairs Committee is by artist Anthony Benton Gude, the grandson of Thomas Hart Benton. The piece reflects Joplin during the mid-20th Century. He focused on Route 66 and its relevance to the vitality of Main Street.

Free and open to the public Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. By appointment on Weekends. 417.625.4789. Discover More

Route 66 Mural Park

619 S. Main Street, Northeast corner
A great photo opportunity during your Missouri Route 66 travels. The park includes two large tile murals: "Cruisin’ into Joplin" and "The American Ribbon". The murals were proposed by Paul Whitehill, designed by artists Chris Auckerman and Jon White, and produced by Joplin’s Images in Tile. The park also features a mock 1963 red Corvette that makes a whimsical photo backdrop for Route 66 tourists. The murals cover the south side of Pearl Brothers, the iconic green hardware store of downtown Joplin. The park sits near the intersection where Route 66 shifts west and heads into Kansas. Discover More

Murphysburg

Sergeant and Moffet Avenues, between 1st and 7th Streets (7th Street is also Historic Route 66)
Several of Joplin’s founding fathers built grand homes in this residential area, which sprang up in the 1880s just west of the downtown district. Located between Byers to Jackson Avenues, and from 2nd to 7th Streets. Many of these regal homes stand proud today, representing a variety of architectural styles such as Craftsman, Queen Ann, American Foursquare, and Eclectic. This is Joplin’s oldest neighborhood, and historical markers offer the name and establishment date of its prominent homes. Throughout the year, there are special events which offer home and garden tours. In 2015, the Historic Murphysburg District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Explore More

Joplin History & Mineral Museum

504 S. Schifferdecker Avenue
Joplin's Historical Museum and Mineral Museums are combined in this complex. When you enter the mineral museum, you find yourself inside a replica of a mine shaft while discovering the origins of Joplin as a mining boomtown. Exploring the Historical Museum, you will hear the story of the city's growth and development into Missouri's 4th largest metropolitan area. Exhibits in the historical museum include: Historic Route 66, Bonnie and Clyde's adventures in Joplin, the National Cookie Cutter Museum, Joplin Sports Hall of Fame, and the mysterious Spooklight. Open Tuesday-Saturday. Nominal admission fee. Explore More