Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc.

Women of Murphysburg: The Bendelari Women of The Olivia Apartments

In honor of Women’s History Month—and in celebration of the ongoing restoration of the Olivia Apartments at 320 S. Moffet Avenue—Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. will present “Women of the Olivia,” long forgotten accounts of four unique, smart women. Paula Callihan, one of the group’s members, said, “We knew a little bit about two women connected to Murphysburg’s history, but when we decided to expand on it, we were excited to find evidence of two other women’s biographies.”
Mary Anne Phillips, another member, said, “Now that historical data is available on the internet, it’s amazing what can be found about Joplin’s or your family’s history by a simple word or name search. Expect to read politically incorrect language and content based on today’s standards.” When browsing old newspapers for women’s history, be sure to look at the so-called woman’s page, personals, club notes, social forecasts, and general society columns. There are also gaps in years/months/days of many archived newspapers.

All of the Bendelari women in the series were considered socialites, were well traveled, cultivated special talents, earned national recognition, and made their homes in Joplin before, after, and during their careers. The Bendelari sisters were educated at home and abroad. All four women lived to their 80s and 90s and all died in California.

Olivia Bendelari

Olivia Josephine Bendelari / Mrs. Alex Stein

Miss Olivia Bendelari Olivia was born on December 11, 1910 in Ohio, but soon came to live with her parents, Annie and Fred Bendelari at the Olivia Apartments. It must have been a constant source of pride and need for explanation for the young Olivia to live at the Olivia that was named for her grandmother, “Minnie” Mary Olivia. Her uncle, Arthur Bendelari also lived at the Olivia and had it built in 1906. Her ...
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Helen Bendelari

Helen Bendelari Boughton-Leigh McAlpin

Helen Bendelari Helen was born on January 15, 1906, in Ohio, but soon came to live with her parents, Annie and Fred Bendelari, and siblings at The Olivia Apartments. Her uncle, Arthur Bendelari built the Olivia and lived there with his wife Frances. Her father and uncle were associated with the Consolidated Mining Company and Eagle Picher Lead Company, respectively. Both families made a very comfortable living in Joplin which enabled Helen and sisters Olivia ...
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Mary Bendelari

Mary Bendelari

Inventor, Designer, Entrepreneur, Mentor, Lobbyist, Socialite, Manufacturer Mary also patented an elastic-edge tablecloth and a rigid bed sheet. Mary was born in Ohio in 1902, but soon came to live with her parents, Annie and Fred Bendelari, and siblings at the Olivia Apartments, 320 S. Moffet in Joplin.  Her uncle, Arthur Bendelari built the Olivia and also lived there with his wife Frances.  Her father and uncle were associated with the Consolidated Mining Company and Eagle Picher Lead Company, respectively.  ...
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Frances Bendelari

Frances Geddes Bendelari / Mrs. Arthur Bendelari

Joplin Society Leader, Prominent Vocalist in Joplin and Beyond Born in September 1884 in Ohio, Frances and her siblings grew up with their parents James and Dollie Geddes in Joplin, and at one point, lived at 301 S Sergeant in what is now the Murphysburg Historic District. A Quashed Elopement Several biographical books (and Joplin folklore) claim that Howard Robards Hughes (the father of the infamous Howard Hughes, Jr.) lived in Joplin while working in ...
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Eternal Homes… from Murphysburg to Mount Hope Cemetery

Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. will think outside their block by hosting a tour and workshop at Mount Hope Cemetery.  Have you ever wondered what a mausoleum looks like behind those ornate solid bronze doors?  Do you want to hear directly from the “spirits” of Joplin “influencers” of the early 1900s?  Saturday, June 18, 2022 is your chance.  The cemetery tour starts at 3:00 and goes to 8:00 pm.  Tour includes docents, historic reenactors, musical entertainment and theatrical performances by Dream Theatre Troupe.

Hands-on workshop will also be offered at 10:00 am.  Guests will learn the basics of headstone restoration, maintenance, and safe cleaning practices.  Bring your own soft brush and bucket and we will supply the rest.

Refreshments will be available so that attendees can “sip and stroll” through this historic site atop Jasper County’s highest natural elevation.  

Tour at your own pace to each selected mausoleums and monuments to hear directly from the “ghosts” of Joplin “influencers” of the early 1900s.

Mount Hope Cemetery represents an extremely valuable cultural and historical asset of the four-state area through their genealogical information, gravestone architecture, and iconography.  Joplin co-founding father Patrick Murphy and Webb City founding-father John Cornwell Webb are both interred here.  The cemetery was designed in 1905 by Hare and Hare, who later went on to assist in the design of the Kansas City Country Club Plaza, Nelson Art Gallery, and much more.

Purchase a ticket: Tickets can only be purchased at the gate on tour day

This special event is brought  to you by Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. and our sponsors.

Mount Hope Cemetery
Dream Theatre Co.