Discover the History of Joplin in New Book

Oct. 28, 2013 - PRLog -- The newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series is Joplin from local author Priscilla Purcell Brown. The book boasts more than 200 vintage images that chronicle the history of Joplin.

When lead was first discovered in southwestern Missouri around 1830, it had little value and zinc, called “black jack,” was discarded as waste. After the Civil War, mining camps sprang up along the Joplin Creek Valley, which was named for Methodist circuit rider Rev. Harris G. Joplin. As the mining camps merged into neighborhoods and zinc increased in value, Joplin was quickly coined “the city that jack built.”

Known for being a rowdy boomtown, it was said that Joplin had a bar on every corner and a church across the street. Many early settlers came to Joplin seeking their fortunes in the mines, while others came to make their fortunes off of the miners. This book uses vintage images to show the early days of Joplin’s history and the ups and downs of this very unique city.

Highlights of Joplin include:

•A rare image of the Ozark Candy Company.
•Information on the area’s schools and how Joplin citizens have always valued education.
•The tragic stories of Bonnie and Clyde in Joplin and the May 22, 2011 tornado.
•Rarely before seen images of the Joplin and Pittsburg Interurban Street Railroad.

Available at area bookstores, independent retailers and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or online.

Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States.  Our mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America’s people and places.  Have we done a book on your town?  Visit www.arcadiapublishing.com/.