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Neosho, MO

Frequently asked questions

Neosho, MO

Neosho is the most populous city in Newton County, Missouri, United States, where it serves as the county seat. With a population of 12,590 as of the 2020 census, the city is a part of the Joplin, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area, a region with an estimated 176,849 (2011) residents. Neosho lies on the western edge of the Ozarks, in the far southwest of the state.

The name "Neosho" is generally accepted to be of Native American (most likely Osage) derivation, meaning "clear, cold water", referring to local freshwater springs. The springs attracted varying cultures of Native American inhabitants for thousands of years. The Osage Nation had long occupied the territory at the time of European contact. Like the Osage, European-American settlers were also attracted to the springs and founded the community of Neosho in 1833. It was incorporated as a municipal government in 1878. Nicknamed "The City of Springs", Neosho has long served as an agricultural center. Since 1888, it has been the site of the Neosho National Fish Hatchery, the oldest in the National Fish Hatchery System.

It is known locally as the "Gateway to the Ozarks". Since 1957, it has also been identified as "the Flower Box City".

Starting in the late 1820s, European-American settlers of English, Scottish, German, Welsh, and Scots-Irish ancestry began moving into the area. The first of these settlers was Lunsford Oliver, who migrated from Tennessee in 1829 and located near Shoal Creek. He was the namesake for Oliver's Prairie. His nearest neighbors were in Springfield, sixty miles to the east. In 1831 he was joined by Nathaniel Turner, John Smith, Joseph Ross, Campbell Pure, Blake Wilson, Levi Lee, Carmac Ratcliffe, and George McInturf. McInturf built a corn mill, the first mill of any kind in the region. Soon afterward came Mathew H. Ritchie, who founded the town of Newtonia near Oliver's Prairie, and John W. McCord, who settled near Walbridge Spring with Levie Lee and founded the town Neosho twelve miles (19 km) to the west. In these years, the region was called "Six Bulls", a colloquial reference to "six boils", referring to the large streams that flowed through the area – Shoal Creek, Center Creek, Indian Creek, Spring River, and North Fork.

By 1835, at least three schools had been established along Shoal Creek, and a teacher named Billingsley taught near Neosho. The earliest known religious effort dates to 1836, when Methodist Circuit riders visited the area and held meetings in settlers' log cabins.

In 1843, Rev. Anthony Bewley was appointed to the Neosho and Granby circuit, establishing the first permanent churches in Six Bulls. Rev. John W. McCord was involved in organizing Neosho Presbytery, a Cumberland Presbyterian congregation at New Salem Campground, on May 15, 1837. These early settlers were sometimes visited by Native Americans from the Southeast United States, who had been relocated from Georgia to the Indian Territory a few miles west of later Kansas under the Indian Removal Act. They periodically came into the area on hunting expeditions.

Neosho is in south central Newton County approximately 15 miles south-southeast of Joplin. It is at the intersection of US routes 60 and 71.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.75 square miles (40.79 km2), of which 15.73 square miles (40.74 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) is water.

Neosho places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, offering resources and facilities to promote a healthy lifestyle.  The city's healthcare facilities, such as the Freeman Neosho Hospital, ensure residents have access to quality medical services. For fitness enthusiasts, the Neosho YMCA provides a range of exercise classes and facilities to stay active and healthy. Tumble Town offers specialized fitness programs for children, ensuring that young ones can enjoy fun physical activities. For those seeking a more relaxing experience, Healing Kneads Massage Therapy and A Natural Touch Massage offer therapeutic massages to help relieve stress and tension. The Neosho Federal Fish Hatchery is a unique spot for nature walks and learning about local aquatic life, providing both mental relaxation and physical activity through exploration. For fitness enthusiasts, Rise Fitness Center provides excellent workout options. 

Top sites in Neosho, MO are Morse Park, Neosho Colored School, and the World's Largest Flowerbox.

Population: 13,782 (2024). ZIP code: 64850. Area code: 417. Elevation: 1,037 ft (316 m). Area: 15.77 sq mi (40.86 km2).

FAQs

What is Neosho, MO famous for?

It all started in 1955 when Neosho received a beautification grant and launched its flower box program. It blossomed into the nationally recognized “Flower Box City” it’s known as today. Neosho is home to the “World’s Largest Flower Box”. It is a railroad gondola car 66 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 44 inches deep. The flower box is filled with flowers, shrubs, and trees and is a beautiful addition to Morse Park. Neosho has other claims to fame – most notably its famous sons George Washington Carver, the renowned botanist, and acclaimed artist Thomas Hart Benton. Carver was born at nearby Diamond and attended elementary school in Neosho.
 

What are the demographics of Neosho, MO?

In 2022, Neosho, MO had a population of 12.7k people with a median age of 35.2 and a median household income of $49,301. Between 2021 and 2022 the population of Neosho, MO grew from 12,439 to 12,670, a 1.86% increase and its median household income grew from $45,471 to $49,301, an 8.42% increase. The 5 largest ethnic groups in Neosho, MO are White (Non-Hispanic) (72%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (9.09%), Two+ (Hispanic) (4.96%), White (Hispanic) (4.62%), and Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander (Non-Hispanic) (3.31%).

How did Neosho, MO get its name?

Neosho was established as the county seat of Newton County in 1839 and officially incorporated in 1878. The name "Ne-o-zho" or "Ne-u-zhu," is of Native-American derivation meaning "clear or abundant water." Neosho is called the "City of Springs" and the "Flowerbox City." In 1957, Neosho was named an All-America City by the National Municipal League and Look Magazine.

Sources

Wikipedia 

City of Neosho 

Neosho CC

Data USA

Morse Park

Neosho Colored School

World's Largest Flowerbox

Freeman Neosho Hospital

Neosho YMCA

Tumble Town

Healing Kneads Massage Therapy

A Natural Touch Massage

Neosho Federal Fish Hatchery 

Rise Fitness Center

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