Neosho is home of the nation's oldest operating federal fish hatchery.
For a small city, Neosho has made a big name for itself -- throughout Missouri and the entire nation. Known to locals as the "Gateway to the Ozarks," the community of 11,835 residents also goes by the nicknames "Flower Box City" and "City of Springs," for the floral dcor that adorns its businesses and the cold springs that gave the city its name, respectively. (Neosho comes from an Osage word that means "clear or abundant water.") With a list of enticing, albeit random, monikers like these, it's no surprise that Neosho's population grew 12% over the last decade, and that a number of apartment complexes have been built in recent years to house the city's new inhabitants.
Moving In
Whether your search for places to rent in Neosho stems from your desire to find Civil War-era fortune or simply to secure a place where you can hang your boots, Neosho offers plenty of options, especially in the southern part of the city near Crowder College, the community's two-year educational institution. Complexes like Greystone Place, Cedar Ridge Apartments, and Hamptons of Neosho offer one-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom apartments. If you're looking for a duplex to rent or a house to rent, you're in luck, too, as single rooms or entire dwellings are available in the Neosho rental market.
Living in Neosho
Neosho was founded in 1839 and is the seat of Newton County. It maintains all the qualities and provides all the amenities that a typical small city has to offer. Residents have a variety of housing options, from historic dwellings to mid-century bungalows to sparkling abodes in new subdivisions. Retail chains like Walmart, Lowe's, and Walgreens serve shopping needs, while locally owned restaurants like Sam's Cellar and Charley's Grill offer places to relax over meals. (Of course, ubiquitous national chains like Subway, Hardee's, and Long John Silver's are also part of the culinary scene.) For entertainment, the Neosho Civic Center hosts a variety of events, from civic meetings to theater productions, while the local YMCA and several area parks afford opportunities for exercise and physical recreation. Of course, the springs for which the city was named are also popular destinations for hikers and nature enthusiasts.
In some ways, Neosho is a Forrest Gump _type of city, not because of any intelligence deficit among its residents, but because, like the titular film hero, if there's some way to make a mark on American culture, Neosho seems to have achieved it. Does Neosho have a national record? Sure it does. It's home to America's oldest operating federal fish hatchery, which promotes conservation by breeding and raising fish. How about a connection to creepy phenomena possibly related to paranormal activity? Neosho has that, too; it's just a quick jaunt away from the Hornet Spook Light, a ball of unexplained iridescence that floats above a remote gravel road. Does Neosho have any famous former residents? Why yes, it does. Artist Thomas Hart Benton was born in the community. So were ragtime musician James Scott and aviation pioneer Hugh Robinson, while scientist and peanut specialist George Washington Carver attended school there. For all you cartoon fans, Fort Crowder, a World War II-era Army post in Neosho, served as cartoonist Mort Walker's inspiration for Camp Swampy in the _Beetle Bailey comic strip. Neosho might even be home to the proverbial "pot of gold." Local legend has it that Confederate fortune -- and the bodies of the soldiers who squirreled it away -- can be found in a cave near Big Spring Park.
With Neosho's proximity to the city of Joplin, renters have the chance to enjoy urban amenities while returning home to a smaller, less busy environment.
