SLIDESHOW: Olivia Apartments through the years
The Olivia Apartments, located at Fourth and Moffet streets downtown, have a 114-year history. These photos show the five-story building from its early days to a fire Monday that caused significant damage.
The Olivia had a well-deserved reputation as the "handsomest apartment house in the West." Anton 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 five-story, $150,000 masterpiece. The structure, begun in February 1906, opened in October that same year. Postcard from 1915. Courtesy | Historic Postcard Collection, The Joplin Public Library
The Olivia had a well-deserved reputation as the "handsomest apartment house in the West." Anton 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 five-story, $150,000 masterpiece. The structure, begun in February 1906, opened in October that same year. Postcard circa 1913.
The lobby of the Olivia Apartments is seen in this historical photo donated to the Joplin History & Mineral Museum by Patty Leugers. Contributed Photo
The exterior of the Olivia Apartments is seen in this historical photo donated to the Joplin History & Mineral Museum by Patty Leugers. Contributed Photo
The storeroom of the Olivia Apartments is seen in this historical photo donated to the Joplin History & Mineral Museum by Patty Leugers. Contributed Photo
An apartment interior of the Olivia Apartments is seen in this historical photo donated to the Joplin History & Mineral Museum by Patty Leugers. Contributed Photo
The interior of the Olivia Apartments is seen in this historical photo donated to the Joplin History & Mineral Museum by Patty Leugers. Contributed Photo
A photo of the Olivia building from the 1920s. Capt. C.A. Dieter was contractor for the building.
The Olivia Apartments building located at 320 S. Moffet Ave., taken before Monday's fire.
Before Monday's fire, years of weathering were readily apparent on the south side of the old Olivia Apartments at 320 S. Moffet Ave.
Custom glass, with a barely visible stenciled "Olivia," remained intact at the old Olivia Apartments at 320 S. Moffet Ave., before Monday's fire.
This photo shows the lobby of the Olivia Apartments building, posted by a group focused on saving the building.
A detail of the top of one of the Ionic columns in the lobby of the Olivia Apartments building.
Local firefighters fight a fire at the Olivia Apartments on Monday evening in Joplin. Globe | Roger Nomer
People gather to watch firefighters battle a fire at the Olivia Apartments on Monday evening in Joplin. Globe | Roger Nomer
A fire burns Monday evening at the top of the Olivia Apartments in Joplin.Globe | Roger Nomer
Local firefighters fight a fire Monday evening at the Olivia Apartments in Joplin. Globe | Roger Nomer
Pieces of charred roofing and beams hang amid a blue sky on the fifth floor of the Olivia Apartments, which suffered extensive damage in a fire Monday night. Globe | Laurie Sisk
A sign signaling a possible rebirth of the Olivia Apartment Building hangs on the side of the building after an extensive fire on Monday night. Globe | Laurie Sisk
An elevator shaft stands exposed on the fifth floor of the Olivia Apartments, which suffered extensive damage in a fire Monday night. Globe | Laurie Sisk
The Olivia Apartments building, which suffered extensive damage in a December fire, is still drawing interest for renovation despite the fire damage, and a recent structural report ordered by the Downtown Joplin Alliance suggests the building is still sound enough for such a project.Globe file
The remains of the Olivia Apartments stand exposed after a large fire Monday night. Globe | Laurie Sisk
A bright blue sky is seen through the charred remains of the fifth floor of the Olivia Apartments, which suffered extensive damage in a fire Monday night. Globe | Laurie Sisk
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