In 1873, President Ulysses S. Grant began his second term of office. During that same year, the first pre-stamped penny postcards were issued and free mail delivery was offered to all urban communities with a population of 20,000.
Jules Verne finished his classic “Around the World in 80 Days.” The first Preakness Stakes horse race was run. Coors Brewing Company began making beer in Golden, Colorado. At the same time, our country was experiencing an economic panic and William “Boss” Tweed, who controlled Tammany Hall, the Democratic organization in New York, was convicted of more than 100 charges of fraud.
Added to those national historic events ... a small community in Southwest Missouri named Joplin was officially incorporated by the Legislature of Missouri as a city of the 4th Class.
Yes, on March 23, 1873, a modest but spirited mining community began slowly growing, inching forward one shovelful at a time as each day passed.
First lead, and then zinc mining became the symbol of our economy. Zinc mining was our foundation — quite literally the very base on which everything in Joplin was built. Joplin was blessed as all roads and rails ran to and through our city. Our community had a tremendous impact on the Tri-State Mining District. Joplin became the home of numerous associated industries that were tied to mining. It was the epicenter for the region’s commercial and retail activities. Nearby residents came to Joplin to be entertained and to drink, eat, bank and buy consumer goods and services. Joplin prospered and profited by being the center of commerce.
At the central hub, new businesses were established in Joplin. Businesses like Empire District Electric Co., Freeman and St. John’s hospitals, Joplin Junior College, Eagle-Picher and various trucking companies were products from our mining economy. These businesses still exist today and are some of the largest employers in the region.
We began as a mining community; however, much of our mining history has now vanished. Today very few signs are evident from our digging past. Only a few chat piles, the Benton Mural at City Hall, the miner in Spiva Park and the Everett J. Ritchie Mineral Wing remain as testimony to our mining heritage. In addition, we must deal with the current mining byproducts of subsidence and environmental issues as well.
Other losses have occurred, as we have also unfortunately lost thousands upon thousands of men who knew mining firsthand. Just as numbers of our brave World War II soldiers are quickly dwindling, our miners who toiled underground are leaving us just as rapidly. Both groups represent a proud, strong and determined body. And both of them were essential ingredients to our Allied victory.
We owe so much to those who came before us, and what better way to commemorate their deeds than through a celebration. We will be recognizing our city’s birthday at 2 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall. We have much to be thankful for. Please join us in celebrating Joplin’s 135th birthday. Our city has progressed innumerably since 1873. A celebration is in order.
Brad Belk is the executive director of the Joplin Museum Complex.
Opinion
Guest columnist Brad Belk: Town grew shovelful at a time
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Our View: Victims should come first
Millions of dollars in donations have poured in from around the world since the May 22, 2011, tornado. Those donations represent money from lemonade stands, charity auctions, corporate gifts and celebrity checks, just to name a few. In fact, one year later donations continue to come to Joplin.
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Beth Meeker, guest columnist: Same-sex marriage battle a quest for equal rights
I would like to take a moment to reply to guest columnist Anson Burlingame’s, “The Marriage Debate” (Globe, May 13).
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Sunday Forum: 2012 graduation speakers key on tornado, mall school and president’s visit
Editor’s note: In addition to speeches by President Barack Obama and Gov. Jay Nixon, Joplin High School’s top students addressed graduates, faculty, parents and other guests packed into the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on the Missouri Southern State University campus. Following are the text of those speeches.
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Geoff Caldwell, guest columnist: Pack mentality takes truth as a casualty
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Your View: ‘Study’ can mean anything
A few evenings ago, I watched a television program on the science of marriage.
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Our View: Support for museum
How can you tell the story of Joplin without the accounts of its mining history?
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Our View: Finding middle ground
The G-8 summit held last week in Camp David ended as expected.
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Anson Burlingame, guest columnist: Class of 2012 upholds character, hope
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Scott Charton, guest columnist: 'Deadline in Disaster' film a story about storytellers
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Our View: Make voting easiser
This year’s ballot will not include a proposed constitutional amendment that photo identification be required at the polls in Missouri. Good.
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