In spring 1965, the doors to Joplin's first Mexican restaurant, Casa Montez, opened in a cafe at 17th Street and Range Line Road. At that time, the two-lane road was home to about 15 restaurants. Now ...

This point marks the initial touchdown of the Joplin tornado at 5:34 pm on the western edge of the city limits of Joplin. The touchdown occurred near the junction of JJ Highway and West 32nd Street.