NEOSHO, MISSOURI

'Neosho', incorporated in 1878, is a city located at the western edge of the Missouri Ozarks serving as the county seat of Newton County, Missouri, USA.
The name Neosho (pronounced - originally [niˈoʒo], or [niˈoʒu]) is generally accepted to be of Native American (most likely Osage) derivation, meaning "clear, cold water", referring to the nine natural springs found within the original city limits. The city's main park is centered around a spring which flows down a small waterfall and into a pool, often frequented by ducks and geese. Many other springs can still be found throughout the city including Bell's Iron Spring and Hobo Springs. Legend holds that Confederate gold is buried somewhere in the town of Neosho, as well. Some believe that a cave holds both the remains of the soldiers as well as the gold. Others contend that the cave, adjacent to the city's lovely Big Spring Park, was closed after a number of local children were lost forever while exploring the cave in the early 20th century.
In 1839, Neosho was designated the county seat for Newton County, Missouri. In 1846 the courthouse square was laid out during a survey by F. M. Duncan. In 1861, Missouri Governor Claiborne Jackson set up a provisional capital which convened in Neosho; the group voted in favor of Missouri's secession from the Union. Debate flourishes to this day regarding the legitimacy of these actions. In 1863, during the Civil War, much of the original downtown was burned to the ground by retreating Confederate forces. In 1878, the first courthouse was built in the center of the square and Neosho was incorporated. The Neosho National Fish Hatchery (the oldest operating Federal Fish Hatchery) was built in 1888. The original courthouse was razed in 1936 to make way for the current Art Deco court house, which was completed later that same year.
A large portion of downtown Neosho is listed as an historic district in the National Register of Historic Places, including the Second Baptist Church, built in the Victorian Gothic style of 1896. Neosho's history is well-documented with historical markers, making a local heritage tour a simple matter. The Neosho downtown square features a newly revitalized square, including new lights, recently renovated store fronts and personalized bricks.
Neosho is well known as "The Flower Box City", a name gained after the city earned the All-American City award in the 1950's. For many years residents devised unique and unusual flower boxes and had blooming gardens.
Neosho is the home of the former Camp Crowder (Fort Crowder in the last years of operation), a Signal Corps training camp built by the Army just before World War II. Some of the soldiers stationed at Camp Crowder went on to find greater fame, including Carl Reiner, Dick Van Dyke, Mort Walker, Tillman Franks, and Jean Shepherd. Camp Crowder was infamous for being muddy and swampy during the rainy seasons and is the prototype for Walker's "Camp Swampy" in his noted comic strip, ''Beetle Bailey''.
Neosho made national news in the United States following the August 12, 2007 shooting at a local church. A gunman entered the First Congregational Church during Sunday services and opened fire, killing three (including the pastor) and wounding several others.

Contents

History of Neosho

Timeline

Famous sons

Historic resources

Government

Geography & climate

Geography

Climate

Demographics

Economy

Industry

Tourism & recreation

Neosho

Cultural institutions

Media & entertainment

Radio

Newspapers

Education

Public Schools

Private Schools

References

Further reading

External links

History of Neosho

Timeline

★ 1839 - Designated county seat, Newton County, Missouri.

★ 1846 - The courthouse square is laid out during a survey by F. M. Duncan.

★ 1861 - Missouri Governor, Claiborne Jackson set up a provisional capital and convened in Neosho, where the group voted in favor of Missouri's secession from the Union. Debate flourishes to this day regarding the legitimacy of these actions.

★ 1863 - Much of the original downtown is burned by retreating Confederate forces during the Civil War.

★ 1870 - the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad reaches Neosho.

★ 1878 - First courthouse is built in the center of the square and Neosho is incorporated.

★ 1887 - Kansas City-Fort Smith and Southern Railroad reaches Neosho.

★ 1888 - Neosho National Fish Hatchery is built and telephone service comes to town.

★ 1892 - E. R. Matters establishes his jewelry store - today, one of the oldest family-owned businesses in the state of Missouri.

★ 1936 - The original courthouse is razed to make way for the current Art Deco court house, which was completed later the same year.

★ 1938 - Scenes from the 1939 film Jesse James, starring Tyrone Power and Henry Fonda are filmed at the Kansas City Southern railroad depot, with many locals serving as extras.

★ 1957 - Recipient of the All-America City Award from National Municipal League and Look Magazine

★ 1963 - Neosho Junior College (currently Crowder College) is established.

★ 1966 - The landmark Big Spring Inn burns to the ground. Arson is suspected, but never proven.

★ 1978 - Neosho is named recipient of the All-Missouri Certified City Award.

★ 2006 - Neosho is announced as one of ten cities selected as first annual inductees into the governer's DREAM Initiative. Other 2006 cities are Cape Girardeau, Excelsior Springs, Hannibal, Hermann, Kennett, Sedalia, St. Joseph, Washington, and West Plains.

★ 2007 - 3 people are killed and at least 5 others injured when a gunman takes about 30 people hostage at First Congregational Church.[1]

Famous sons

Neosho is the birthplace of:

★ Thomas Hart Benton - painter and Regionalist muralist

★ Donn Clendenon - Major League Baseball first baseman; World Series Most Valuable Player for the 1969 New York Mets

★ Hugh Armstrong Robinson - aviation pioneer

★ James Scott - ragtime composer and pianist
The Neosho area was also home to several notables, including:

★ George Washington Carver - celebrated African-American inventor & botanist

★ John Q. Hammons - hotel magnate & philanthropist

★ H. Waldo Hatler - World War I hero and Medal of Honor recipient

★ Hermann Jaeger - Missouri wine pioneer & French Legion of Honor recipient
Neosho also served as a stopover in the lives of other celebrated individuals, including: cowboy philosopher and humorist Will Rogers who briefly attended Scarritt College; cartoonist and Beetle Bailey creator Mort Walker who was stationed at Camp Crowder during World War II, inspiring the fictional "Camp Swampy" in his long-running comic strip; Dick Van Dyke who was stationed at Camp Crowder during World War II, inspiring fictionalized events portrayed in The Dick Van Dyke Show, episode #6, November 6, 1961 on CBS; and Billy James Hargis, Christian evangelist.

Historic resources

Neosho currently has three properties listed with the National Register of Historic Places:

★ Neosho Commercial Historic District

★ Neosho High School

★ Second Baptist Church of Neosho

Government

Neosho's municipal organization provided for under the city charter shall is a home rule council-manager government.

Geography & climate

Geography

Neosho, elevation 1035 feet, is located in the extreme southwest corner of Missouri.

Climate

''See also:''
Geography of Missouri, Ozark Plateau, karst topography

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,505 people, 4,136 households, and 2,725 families residing in the city. The population density was 271.7/km² (703.6/mi²). There were 4,510 housing units at an average density of 116.6/km² (302.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.99% White, 1.04% African American, 1.61% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 1.00% Pacific Islander, 2.73% from other races, and 2.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.23% of the population.
There were 4,136 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,225, and the median income for a family was $37,790. Males had a median income of $27,672 versus $20,632 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,847. About 8.7% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Industry

★ BASF

★ La-Z-Boy Incorporated - Recliner and sofa assembly plant

★ Premier Turbines - Aircraft engine repair and overhaul facility

★ Sunbeam Products

★ Leggett and Platt-Talbot Division - Diversified wire products manufacturer

Tourism & recreation

Neosho

★ Newton County courthouse square - ''historic downtown commercial district''

★ Neosho National Fish Hatchery - ''oldest operating Federal Fish Hatchery''

★ Big Spring Park

★ Morse Park

Cultural institutions

★ Newton County Historical Society Museum

★ Longwell Museum

★ Thomas Hart Benton Collection

Media & entertainment

Radio

★ KBTN, 1420 AM - ''country, news''

★ KNEO, 91.7 FM - ''Christian''

Newspapers

★ Neosho Daily News

★ Neosho Post

★ Newton County News

Education

Public Schools

★ Neosho R-5 School District

★ Crowder College (A.A., A.A.S., A.S.) (N.C.A.C.S., Regional Accreditation)

Private Schools

★ Neosho Beauty College

★ Neosho Christian Schools (K-12)

★ Ozark Bible Institute and College (B.B.L., B.B.S., B.C.E.)

References

★ City of Neosho, Missouri - Official Website

★ Newton County Historical Society - Official Website

★ Neosho-Missouri Facts and Data

Further reading

★ ''Neosho, the First Century, 1839-1939'', by Larry A. James

★ ''Neosho: The story of a Missouri town; a short history'', by Mary Cozad

★ ''Neosho, Missouri, Under the impact of army camp construction: A dynamic situation'', by Lucille Tremlet Kohler

★ ''Historical Atlas of Newton County, Missouri'', by John P. Edwards

★ ''Pioneers of the Six Bulls: The Newton County, Missouri, saga volume X pioneer families'', by Larry A. James

External links

★ Neosho Forums

★ Neosho, Missouri, official website

★ Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce

★ Crowder College

★ Neosho National Fish Hatchery