Carterville prepares for historic pop-up heritage exhibit

The city of Carterville, Missouri, is preparing to take a trip to the past! Read the full press release below:

Carterville Community Center, 209 E Hall St, Carterville, MO, October 15, 2022,

Time:  1pm – 5pm, Admission $3. 

Narrated trolley tours $5 starting at 1:30pm. 

With the discovery of rich lead and zinc mines, Carterville rivaled neighboring communities for not just mining production. Explosive revenues developed a diverse city boasting an opera house, elegant hotels, cafes, grocery and department stores and hundreds of other businesses.

Bakeries, confectionaries, and grocery stores not only served the robust mining community but also supplied Lakeside Park. Over 30,000 visitors each weekend traveled by train and then trolley to enjoy a carnival midway, amusement rides, water sports and baseball games. Crowds marveled at balloon ascensions and then finished off the evening with dancing to famed bands like John Philip Sousa before enjoying late night fireworks.

Julie Riley, town historian and elder, said “the amount of information, maps and photos is mind-blowing. I’ve studied Carterville my whole life and I’m impressed. I’m so pleased to see our rich history shared and celebrated.”

Carterville is the perfect community for raising a family. Affordable homes, great schools and access to surrounding communities is quick and easy. It’s great to see what once was and how that story and the families continue to make this somewhere special. In Carterville, we’re proud to say “our roots run deep.”

This event is sponsored by Councilperson Cris Henkle in cooperation with the Carterville Parks Committee. All proceeds go toward the Carterville Community Center. Special thanks to Julie Riley, Erin Madden, Bill Caldwell, Kathy Page, Cindy Myers, Jeanne Newby, the Webb City Genealogy Society, and the City of Webb City for their assistance.