Neosho, Missouri
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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 "nē-ō'-shō" - originally "nē-ō'-zhō", or "nē-ō'-zhū") 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.
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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 they 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(now Crowder College) is established.
- 1966 - The landmark Big Spring Inn is burned to the ground by arsonists.
- 1978 - Neosho is named recipient of the All-Missouri Certified City Award.
Famous sons
Neosho is the birthplace of:
- Thomas Hart Benton - painter and Regionalist muralist
- Donn Clendenon - Major League Baseball first baseman
- 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 - WWII 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 WWII, inspiring the fictional "Camp Swampy" in his long-running comic strip; Dick Van Dyke who was stationed at Camp Crowder during WWII, 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:
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 censusTemplate:GR 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. 4.23% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
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. 12.8% of the population and 8.7% of families were below the poverty line. 14.3% of those under the age of 18 and 9.4% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Economy
Industry
- La-Z-Boy Incorporated - Recliner and sofa assembly plant
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
Newton County
- George Washington Carver National Monument - north central Newton County, Diamond, Missouri
- Newtonia Battlefield - eastern Newton County, Newtonia, Missouri
- Hornet Spooklight - northwestern Newton County, Hornet, Missouri
- Jolly Mill - eastern Newton County, Granby, Missouri
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
Education
Public schools
Private schools
Trivia
Other municipalities in Newton County
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References
- City of Neosho - official website
- Newton County Historical Society - official website
- www.city-data.com
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, Missouri, official website
- Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce
- Crowder College
- Neosho National Fish Hatchery
