• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Joplin, Missouri

Header Right

Our Guidestar Rating: Silver Transparency 2022, by Candid
twitter
facebook
(417) 208-9376
  • Our Neighborhood
    • Virtual Tour
    • Walking Tour Options
    • Our Historic Homes
    • Historic Murphysburg Events
    • Visit Joplin
      • Visit Joplin MO
      • Connect 2 Culture
      • Post Art Library
      • Downtown Joplin Alliance
  • Resources
    • Homeowner Resources
    • Historic Markers
    • Places In Peril
    • Architectural Elements
    • Local History
    • Women of Murphysburg
  • Join & Give
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
  • About Us
    • Mission
    • Board of Directors
    • Friends of Murphysburg
  • Contact Us
  • Our Neighborhood
    • Virtual Tour
    • Walking Tour Options
    • Our Historic Homes
    • Historic Murphysburg Events
    • Visit Joplin
      • Visit Joplin MO
      • Connect 2 Culture
      • Post Art Library
      • Downtown Joplin Alliance
  • Resources
    • Homeowner Resources
    • Historic Markers
    • Places In Peril
    • Architectural Elements
    • Local History
    • Women of Murphysburg
  • Join & Give
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
  • About Us
    • Mission
    • Board of Directors
    • Friends of Murphysburg
  • Contact Us
house front path leading to front door

places in peril

The Albert Newman House

June 13, 2022 //  by admin

The house was built for its first residents, Albert and Helen Newman.  Mr. Newman was associated with Newman’s Mercantile (Department Store) along with his brother Solomon Newman, his father Joseph Newman, and brother-in-law Gabriel Newburger.

 Sol Newman eventually came to live at 115 S Moffet.  Gabe and Viola lived at 110 S Moffet, which was razed in 2004 due to extreme deterioration.  The Newmans and Newburgers were members of Joplin’s United Hebrew Congregation at 702 S Sergeant and played major roles in Joplin business and society.  

The Newman Department store building at 602 S Main was restored in 2004 and is now Joplin City Hall.  It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Around 1910, the Francis and Nett (Murphy) Sharp family and their “servant” rented the Newman house until their house was built at 212 S Moffet. 

Category: HomesTag: places in peril

The John Wise House

June 13, 2022 //  by admin

Hoosier-born John Wise moved to Joplin in 1874 to open a hide and grain business. As with many early Joplin merchants, he quickly realized that real money could be made in mining. Wise joined forces with Thomas Connor to operate lead mines. He also owned 3000 acres of land in Oklahoma where he invested in coal mining and cattle and horse ranching. Wise helped organize Miners Bank and served on the city council, an “uncompromising advocate of the principles of the Republican Party” according to biographer Joel Livingston. In 1898, Wise commissioned architect August Michaelis to design this fanciful Queen Anne style house. Built for $10,000, it featured round towers, balconies, and stained glass windows. Twenty years later, Mrs. Wise, who was active in civic concerns, convinced her husband that their house would make a good residential facility for the YWCA. Although the YMCA had a fine building on east 4th Street, the women’s organization, founded in 1905, had yet to find a suitable home. Instead, it shuffled between various old houses and vacant upper floors in downtown buildings. In 1920, a group of businessmen raised funds to purchase the Wise house for $15,000 and spend another $13,000 to remodel and furnish it. The new YWCA opened as a boarding house for girls who came to Joplin to work. The facility, with only 3 bathrooms, lodged up to 40 girls. The young women had to walk a few blocks to eat their meals at the YWCA cafeteria at 514 ½ Joplin Street.

John was affiliated with the local organizations of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias, and his wife was a member of the Congregational church. At Joplin, on the 20th of February, 1878, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Wise to Miss Alice Clark, daughter of  Monroe Clark, a prominent business man and influential citizen of this city. In conclusion is entered brief record concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Wise: Delmar C., married Miss Jean Gregg,  Nina is the wife of Haywood Scott, Raymond F. and John Connor,  The family is prominent in connection with the best social activities of the community and the attractive home is one in which is dispensed a most gracious hospitality.

Category: HomesTag: places in peril

The Olivia Hotel and Apartments

May 17, 2022 //  by admin

Austin Allen, Architect
Dieter Wetzel, Builder
Listed on the National Register in 2008

The Olivia had a well-deserved reputation as the “handsomest apartment house in the West.” Arthur Bendelari, a civil and mining engineer from Canada, moved to Joplin during the mining boom. He commissioned architect Austin Allen and the contracting firm Dieter and Wenzel to construct this 5-story, $150,000 masterpiece. Construction began February of 1906, and it was open in October that same year.

Arthur Bendelari had a reputation for being a well-liked charmer. He owned one of the town’s first automobiles, and he would race anyone anytime, especially if it involved wagering. He named the Olivia after his mother, Mary Olivia Bendelari.

Decorated in “Pompeian fashion,” the public spaces of the Olivia sparkled with solid Italian marble. The lobby decor impressed all who crossed the threshold where mosaic tiles spelled out “Olivia.” Passing through the elaborate rotunda, visitors entered the reception room, finished in old ivory and lit by skylights and a large leaded glass window with the name “Olivia” expertly crafted in multi-colored glass. A highly polished oak staircase spiraled up from the lobby, connecting all five floors. Electric elevators, both passenger and freight, also provided easy access to all parts of the building. A uniformed attendant provided 24-hour elevator service.

The red brick Olivia comprised 34 one and two-bedroom apartments, for a total of 110 rooms. Some of the larger apartments had almost 2,000 square feet of living space. All of them featured built-ins, fireplaces, marble bathrooms with claw-foot tubs, and every labor-saving device known at the time. Tenants enjoyed bright airy rooms with French doors opening onto private balconies. A roof garden overlooked the city, affording spectacular views in all directions. On clear days, one could even see Webb City. Trolley lines ran down 4th Street, right next to the building, taking residents wherever they wanted to go.

The Olivia’s Current Situation:

The Olivia is listed as a Place in Peril. Read more about recent updates here.

Historic photo of the Olivia early 20th century
Lobby of the Olivia
Lobby of the Olivia
Olivia interior
Olivia floor plan
Olivia floor plan
Olivia floor plan
Historic photo of the Olivia
Doorman opening door to the Olivia
Olivia stained glass window

Category: Building, Homes, News, Places in PerilTag: Olivia, places in peril

Footer

Contact Us

(417) 208-9376
info@murphysburg.org
Join our mailing list

Facebook
Twitter

Our Mission

To promote, educate and preserve the integrity of historic properties throughout the Murphysburg District and Joplin.

Support HMP

Become a member
Donate to our organization

Site Footer

Click below to view our Guidestar rating

Candid. Silver Transparency 2022

Copyright © 2023 · Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. All rights reserved.