Home of Joplin founding father, John C. Cox

Other areas of special interest in the Post Library are architecture, historic preservation, and Joplin's historic buildings.  Library director Leslie Simpson has written numerous articles, books, and documentaries on Joplin's history and its buildings.           

                    One of these, From Lincoln Logs to Lego Blocks: How Joplin Was Built, is an architectural survey of Joplin, published by the Post Foundation and available at the library for $2.00.  Two other books on Joplin's history, Joplin Keepsake Album and Joplin Souvenir Album, are available at First State Bank. 

In 2004, the Post Library collaborated with the Joplin Public Library to publish an on-line collection of historic Joplin postcards.

Another historic architecture project is the Historical Guide maintained on the Art of the Four States website.

In 2008, Ms. Simpson prepared a 300-slide power-point program called Extreme Makeover: Joplin Edition.  It featured a series of photographs of current locations contrasted with historic photographs of how that location once looked.  Click on the link for a sampling.  Contact the Post Library for information about future showings of the program. 

For information about homes in Joplin's Murphysburg Historic District, please consult their blog.