Monett, Missouri

Logan McKee flying the Dechenne Aeroplane in Monett, Missouri

Monett was created as a railroad town by the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway ("Frisco Line") which came through in 1870 and would build branch going off the main line to Paris, Texas. 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.[3] 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.[4][5][6][7]

The Presbyterian Church in Monett, Missouri

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.[8] The community in the Ozark Mountains also had a thriving fruit business and was nicknamed the "Strawberry Capital of the Midwest."[9] The Ozark Fruit Growers Association building (built in 1927) which is part of the Downtwon Monett Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places.

WPA mural, Products of Missouri by James McCreery, in Monett post office

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.[10][11]

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."[12][13] "Monett, Peirce City, Rogers, Ark., and several other towns around here have driven the negros out."[14]

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.[15]

The population had reached 4,177 by 1910,[16] 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.[17]

In a postwar industrialization effort, the Monett Industrial Development Corporation brought light industry to the town, further diversifying the local and broader economy.[17] This diversification nearly doubled the population during the century, to 7,396 by 2000.

Today, Monett is enjoying a renaissance, particularly in its historic downtown area. 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.[18] In 2018, Monett adopted the Complete streets policy, the 39th city in Missouri to do so.[19]

As of the census[21] of 2010, there were 8,873 people, 3,405 households, and 2,282 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,052.6 inhabitants per square mile (406.4/km²). There were 3,828 housing units at an average density of 454.1 per square mile (175.3/km²). 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.

As of the census[22] 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.

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.[24]

Trains meeting in Monett

The Monett Municipal Airport (HFJ) is a public use airport, registering 18,100 aircraft operations annually in 2008. The Airport ranked 9th in the latest economic impact study conducted by the Missouri Department of Transportation, with a total output of 13.1 million dollars annually.[25]

Monett was once an important depot used by the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway, but today is served by The BNSF Railway and Arkansas and Missouri Railroad.

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 [26]

The private schools in Monett include Berean Christian Academy and St. Lawrence Catholic Elementary.[27]

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

Monett has a public library, a branch of the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library.[28]

• Performing Arts Center (Also known as the 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, a festival with live music, food trucks, and a locally brewed beer garden.

• From 1936–1939, the Monett Red Birds played in the Arkansas-Missouri League, a minor league for the St. Louis Cardinals.
• Monett High School plays within the Big 8 Conference on Kenley Richardson Field at Burl Fowler Stadium
• 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, 1971, 1977, and 2016, along with 12 conference championships and 13 district titles since the state implemented a structured post-season.

• Monett Times

• KKBL, 95.9 FM - Adult Contemporary/News

• "Connection"- A magazine dedicated to Southwest Missourians

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).[32]