Welcome to Neosho, Missouri, also known as the city of springs. Neosho is in the Missouri Ozarks at the junction of US Highway 71 and US Highway 60 in the southwest corner of Missouri. It is nestled among cool, clear, natural springs and an abundance of lush foliage. In the late '50's, Neosho became known as "The Flower Box City" through a city beautification program that has grown and flourished.
The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad reached Neosho in 1870. The A&P eventually became the San Francisco and St Louis railroad (Frisco). In 1887 the Kansas City-Fort Smith and Southern Railroad entered Neosho. This Railroad was eventually sold to the Kansas City Southern Railroad (KCS) and still runs through Neosho today. The Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad ran from the Arkansas resort town of Eureka Springs to Neosho where it connected with the Frisco and Kansas City Southern tracks in 1908. The Scotch-Irish community was joined by immigrants from Germany, France, and Switzerland. Neosho houses the nations oldest operating federal fish hatchery west of the Mississippi, established in 1888. The City's most famous spring is the Big Spring, located in downtown Neosho in Big Spring Park. By 1920 the population of Neosho was 3,700 and growing. During World War II, Camp Crowder was built to train members of the U.S. Army Signal Corps. Camp Crowder was deactivated in 1958.
The late Thomas Hart Benton, world renowned artist, is the city's most famous citizen. His days as a youth in Neosho are captured in his famous mural in the Missouri State Capitol Building. Neosho is known as the "Flower Box City" and that theme is carried throughout the business and residential areas. The picturesque footbridge over the clear spring waterfall, the floral clock, picnic tables, and benches provide a natural gathering place for family reunion, or a restful spot just to sit and enjoy the surroundings. The city's Interest in and support of quality education is long standing. Through reorganization in the past decade, the local school district has been enlarged to encompass 223 square miles. Total enrollment in the district now exceeds 3.839 students. In 1963, the citizens of Newton and McDonald counties established a community Junior College district now named Crowder College.
On McKinney Street is the U.S. Fish Hatchery, the oldest one in the United States. The Newton County Historical Museum is open to keep the past an important part of today's world. Each spring is welcomed in Neosho by the Annual Dogwood Tour. The Annual Fall Festival is a lively event that is held the first weekend in October Inaround the Square and in the Municipal Auditorium, just off the square. Craftspeople from near and far gather with their handmade goods. A parade, contests, art exhibits, chess and horseshoe pitching tournaments, and antique car displays, combined with the talents of so many nice people, make the Fall Festival a great tradition.
Neosho is one of four cities in the state of Missouri receiving the All-Missouri Certified City Award In 1978. The many active civic, educational, cultural and social groups locally attest to the civic pride so characteristic of the cordial people of the city. Those who have shaped Neosho's 163-year history have given the city and surrounding area a unique heritage of cherished traditions, combined with a progressive community spirit which make it like no other city in the nation.
Welcome to Neosho!