Joplin is nestled in the scenic Southwest corner of Missouri on the edge of the Ozark Mountains, therefore the title "Gateway To The Ozarks" is fitting.

In the 1800's,its humble beginnings came to life when some persistent miners began to dig for profitable ores. Eventually it came to be crowned the Zinc Capital of the World." Joplin's heritage is directly linked to 75 years in the zinc and lead mining industry". Transformed from a small mining town to that of formidable city, many new residents, some German immigrants, business men, started to build their homes, many of which still stand today, preserved for history. Some of the downtown buildings are now being preserved but some have not survived. Joplin is proud of it's history, much of it recorded in books at the library, and the museum complex. Although it began as a mining center years ago, it is now mainly a trading center for nearby area of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri. We are called "The Four States". The population of Joplin is about 45,000, but during the day swells to nearly 200,000 due to the fact that many people work and shop here from these other areas.

There is a "small town" friendliness and charm about the city, which I love. It's a great place to live and raise a family, and retire.

The trucking industry is important here since we are also known as "The Crossroads of America".

For a quarter of a century, Joplin's highway link to the rest of the United States was "Route 66",which ran from Chicago to LA. The now historical" Route 66" ran, and still does, right through the heart of Joplin. Much of that route still exists and is traveled yet by people from all over the world. In fact, a group of about 12 motorcyclists from Holland just recently passed through on their way to the West Coast. But now , since 1955, we have Interstate 44 which took it's place and "66" is only a memory of days gone by, even though some parts are still preserved and traveled, it's part of our past.

Since Joplin has such a unique and illustrious heritage, our Library and Museum Complex hold much of our past memories. The Museum Complex is actually 5 individual museums under one roof, showcasing the minerals & mining equipment, a historical section, a sports Hall of Fame, a miniature circus, a cookie cutter collection, to name a few. And my favorite "host" is the overseer of the museum, Mr. Percy Katz, who really is a cat, and at one time decided to claim the museum as his own personal domain.
We also have Missouri Southern State University, a 4 year liberal arts college. It sits on 365 acres of a beautiful piece of land once called Mission Hills Farm. The University hosts many events. I love the annual "Joplin Pops", an informal concert held on the grounds, a picnic affair with music, much like the Boston Pops programs. Then there is the International Piano Competition, bringing pianists from all over the world to Joplin, where they perform before a panel of 4 international judges. The weeklong event involves a senior and junior competition with the senior winner given a debut at Carnegie Hall in New York.

Another favorite place of mine is the "Country Caboose", a renovated Santa Fe and Frisco caboose and a Jersey Central passenger car, filled with railroad memorabilia and a gift shop filled with kitchen accessories and all kinds of neat stuff.

There's Richardson's Candy House, where you can watch the candymakers. It's located in a unique,60 year old Rock Tavern building.

In the same area, the "Redings Mill" area, we have "Wildcat Park". A beautiful setting for the new Audubon Center, Missouri's first. In this park is 25 acres of chert glades habitat. There are only 60 acres left in the world.) Among the 150 year old oaks, wildflowers, and all kinds of critters, there is 3 miles of walking trails, with Shoal Creek flowing along side. Wildlife viewing areas & scenic overlooks include the restored, historic Redings Mill bridge,. which provides a stunning view of the Shoal Creek rapids. As the creek meanders and curves on down through another small park area and over the "Low Water Bridge", you will see "Grand Falls", the only continuously flowing waterfall in Missouri.

In this same area, high on a hill, overlooking all this scenic beauty, sits "Skyhigh Castle", built on the solid chert cliffs, circa 1930, out of native stone, featuring a terraced hillside with stone patios, fishponds and rock walls, with colorful plantings throughout the landscape.

With our superb scenery and clean air, and our mild 4 seasons, you will find many of us outside. Because of our location, we have easy access to 4 major lakes and numerous streams. In the Fall, the Ozarks are especially beautiful. There are many scenic drives in and around Joplin, several walking trails and a 4 mile resurfaced old railway track for biking and walking.

I guess I love this place because I was born around here and although I have lived in several other states, like Dorothy, in the "Wizard of OZ", "there's no place like home". So as I sit outside, under a shade tree, on a beautiful Ozark day, with my glass of iced tea, listening to Andre music, I can say "I am happy to be living right here, in the beautiful "Heartland of America".

FINAL THOUGHTS: I believe there is beauty to be found in every city, every state, every country. No matter where we live in this world, it's a part of us all. That's why, as Andre fans, we are
"Friends Around The World".

Shirley Kirk