Neosho, Missouri

Neosho is a city in southwestern Missouri, USA, on the western edge of the Missouri Ozarks. It covers 14.93 sq mi (38.67 sq km) and has a population of 12,000 people (2011 estimate). The city is within the Joplin metropolitan area. It is the county seat and biggest city of Newton County.

Newton County Courthouse, Neosho, Missouri
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NewtonCoMoCourthouse.jpg
Author: RebelAt


The freshwater springs of Neosho attracted Native Americans to the area long before the arrival of the first European. The name Neosho means "clear, cold water" from a Native American language, mostly Osage.

The earliest Europeans to settle in Neosho were English, Scottish, German, Welsh and Scots-Irish settlers, beginning with Lunsford Oliver in 1829. Newton County was originally part of Crawford County, then Barry County, before being established in 1838 and named after American Revolutionary War hero, Sergeant John Newton.

The discovery of lead in Neosho in the 1840s helped spur its development. During the American Civil War, Newton County was alternatively occupied by Union and Confederate forces. After the war, it continued to grow as a commercial center of southwest Missouri, and by the turn of the 20th century, had a population exceeding two thousand.

Bridge over creek in Newton County, Missouri
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bridge_Over_Creek_01.jpg
Author: TheWhitePelican


Since 1957, Neosho has built a reputation for gardening, particularly with wooden flower boxes, leading it to be called The Flower Box City. Flower baskets and boxes were used to beautify the city, earning it national attention when it won the All-America City Award from Look magazine.

Visiting Neosho

Neosho is on US Highway 71 which connects with Interstate 44 in the north.

Places of Interest in Neosho

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