Monett Railroadmen

Monett is the most-populous city in the Barry and Lawrence counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The city is located in the Ozarks, just south of Interstate 44 between Joplin and Springfield. According to the 2020 census, the population of the town was estimated to be 9,576 individuals.

History

Southwest Missouri, including the area of what is now Monett, was inhabited by Native Americans of the Osage Nation until their forced removal to Indian Territory.

Settlement: 1870-1900

Monett was created as a railroad town by the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway ("Frisco Line"), which was extended into the area in 1870, and a branch line going to Paris, Texas, was built. Both lines are still in existence and operated by the BNSF Railway. During this time the area went through several names including Kings Prairie Depot, Plymouth, Plymouth Junction (when the southern branch was built in 1880), Gonten (named for the local postmaster because the Post Service said there were other Plymouths); and finally Monett in 1887 when the area was formally platted and the Monett name was applied to the post office. It was named for Henry Monett who was a popular general station agent for various railroads including the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad ("Nickel Plate Railroad") before becoming an agent for the New York Central Railroad shortly before his death at the age of 35 in 1888.

The community was very much noted for being a rail town and had a Harvey House operating at the Frisco train station from 1896 until 1930. The community in the Ozark Mountains also had a thriving fruit business and was nicknamed the "Strawberry Capital of the Midwest." The Ozark Fruit Growers Association building, which was built in 1927, is part of the Downtown Monett Historic District and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The David W. Courdin House, Downtown Monett Historic District, and Waldensian Church and Cemetery of Stone Prairie are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1894, a lynching and race riot in took place in Monett before the violence spread to Pierce City and other southwestern Missouri towns. Monett became a sundown town, banning African Americans from living or staying there after dark, with a sign across the main street saying: "Nigger, don't let the sun go down." A newspaper in another Missouri town reported in 1906 that "Monett, Pierce City, Rogers, Ark., and several other towns around here have driven the negros out." When Pierce City drove out its African American population in an act of ethnic cleansing, the '' St. Louis Post-Dispatch'' said the town had been "Monettized".

20th century

From about 1908 through 1911, Monett investors led by L. B. Durnil and U. S. Barnsley sought to build an airplane. Their most successful attempt was the DeChenne aeroplane. The DeChenne aeroplane gave its first public demonstration flight in Monett on July 4, 1911, flown by Monett pharmacist Logan McKee. It then made an exhibition tour in Oklahoma and Texas.

The population had reached 4,177 by 1910, due in large part to the railroad and its roundhouse. By 1937, a promotional pamphlet reported one out of eight people in Monett worked for the railroad.

In a postwar industrialization effort, the Monett Industrial Development Corporation brought light industry to the town, further diversifying the local and broader economy. This diversification nearly doubled the population during the century, to 7,396 by 2000.

21st century

Through a combination of private investment and public resources, numerous restoration and revitalization projects have been undertaken in the historic downtown to restore its architectural quality, upgrade the infrastructure, drive local business success, and improve the quality of life.

In 2018, Missouri Governor Eric Greitens and Senator Roy Blunt announced an "Opportunity Zone" in Monett, allocating state and federal tax incentives for businesses that invest in the areas designated. In 2018, Monett adopted the complete streets policy, the 39th city in Missouri to do so.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 8,873 people, 3,405 households, and 2,282 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,828 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 86.8% White, 0.8% African American, 0.9% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 8.5% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.0% of the population.

There were 3,405 households, of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.0% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.12.

The median age in the city was 34 years. 27.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.6% were from 25 to 44; 22.1% were from 45 to 64; and 14.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,396 people, 2,904 households, and 1,916 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,136.2 people per square mile (438.6/km²). There were 3,130 housing units at an average density of 480.8/sq mi (185.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.45% White, 2.00% African American, 0.82% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 7.82% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races.

There were 2,904 households, out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the city the population was spread out, with 26.5% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,764, and the median income for a family was $36,858. Males had a median income of $26,150 versus $18,211 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,048. About 9.2% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.4% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Monett's economy is based on manufacturing, financial services, software, retail and education. This community is driven primarily by its industrial sector. Several key businesses in town include Jack Henry & Associates, CoxHealth, Tyson Foods, Miracle Recreation Equipment Company, Schreiber Foods, Hydro Aluminum, International Dehydrated Foods, Miracle, Architectural Systems Inc., EFCO, and WinTech.

The town has seen rapid growth over the last two decades. More recently, heavy investment into Monett's Historical Downtown has brought new life to many businesses, and the area's cultural scene.

Monett is a part of the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG), providing urban planning and economic development resources for the ten county region around the Springfield metropolitan area, Missouri.

Transportation

Highways

Monett is at the crossroads of U.S. Route 60 and Missouri Route 37, connecting the town to Interstate 44 and the metropolitan areas of Joplin, Springfield and Northwest Arkansas.

Airport

The Monett Municipal Airport (HFJ) is a public use airport, registering 18,100 aircraft operations annually in 2008. In the 2012 economic impact study conducted by the Missouri Department of Transportation, The Airport ranked 9th in the state of Missouri with a total output of 13.1 million dollars annually.

Railroads

Monett was once a thriving depot used by the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway, today it is served by the BNSF Railway and the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad.

Education

Public

Monett is part of the Monett R-1 School District. The district has the following schools:

* Monett High School
* Scott Regional Technology Center
* Monett Middle School
* Monett Intermediate School
* Central Park Elementary
* Monett Elementary

Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled (MSSD) is a state operated program serving Missouri students with severe disabilities in the greater Monett area at:
* Oakview State School K-12

Private

The private schools in Monett include Berean Christian Academy and St. Lawrence Catholic Elementary.

Higher education

Downtown Monett is home to a satellite campus of Drury University.

Library

Monett has a public library, a branch of the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library.

Culture

Southwest Missouri is a close collection of cities, towns, and communities in the heart of the Ozarks; the majority of these are located between the metropolitan areas of Joplin and Springfield and the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers area.

Entertainment and performing arts

*Performing Arts Center (PAC) hosts performances by the Community Theatre.
*Starting in 2018, on the first Friday of each month from May to August, the town holds the "First on Front", on Front Street and Broadway; this remains a festival with live music, food trucks, and a beer garden.

Sports

*From 1936 to 1939, the Monett Red Birds played in the Arkansas-Missouri League, as a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.
*As a program, in 2018, the Monett High School Football team was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, for being one of the most successful football programs in state history, from 1927 to the present day. The program has won three state championships in 1971, 1977 and 2016; this is in addition to 12 conference championships and 13 district titles since the state implemented a structured post-season.

Media

Newspapers

* Monett Times

Radio

*KKBL, 95.9 FM - Adult Contemporary/News

Magazines

*"Connection"- A magazine dedicated to Southwest Missourians

Hospitals

Cox Monett Hospital, part of CoxHealth, built in 2021

Notable people

* Ginny Duenkel, known by her married name Ginny Fuldner; 1964 Olympic gold medalist and former Olympic record-holding swimmer
*Jack Henry, founder of Jack Henry & Associates, S&P 500 financial services company headquartered in Monett
* Phil Mulkey, track and field athlete
*Sally Shelton-Colby, U.S. Ambassador to Barbados, Grenada and Dominica
*Howard F. Stone, lieutenant general in the U.S. Army
* Titanic Thompson (Alvin Clarence Thomas), gambler, golfer and hustler

Geography

Monett is located at (36.923725, -93.922332).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.

Climate

Climate is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is " Cfa" (Humid Subtropical Climate).

References

External links

City of Monett official website

Online Edition of City Paper

Monett Chamber of Commerce
* Historic maps of Monett in th
Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection
at the University of Missouri

{{Authority control

Cities in Barry County, Missouri
Cities in Lawrence County, Missouri
Sundown towns in Missouri