Stories of Uncommon Character
Welcome to your comprehensive portal to life in St. Joseph, Missouri and the surrounding region of northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas. We are a thriving community made with uncommon character over 175 years. You’ll find a growing library of stories about our people, places, and events that are unique in the BEST of ways. Keep scrolling and you’ll also find the most comprehensive calendar in the city with direct links to dozens of websites in, about, and including St. Joseph.
Ryan Bradley
Ryan Bradley is an American figure skater that is known for his humor, love of learning, and ability to fly – over the ice.
Phil Welch Stadium and The Mustangs
America’s favorite pastime is alive in St. Joseph…every summer families, friends, and neighbors gather together to enjoy baseball, hot dogs, family fun, fireworks, and more in the heart of St. Joseph to relax and watch the Mustangs play ball at the historic Phil Welch Stadium.
Photo Worthy Walls of St Joseph
Historic Preservation
There is no argument that St. Joseph, Missouri is home to beautiful and uncommon architecture. Examples of the unique history of our city are seen in historic neighborhoods like Hall Street to our bustling downtown. Beginning with examples of the fur trading days of Joseph Robidoux and the founding of our city, to Civil War era homes, and beyond…our city has it all.
A Century of Business in St. Joseph
Pumpkin Mountain
The unforgettable glow of The Great Pumpkin Mountain, a highlight event of the annual Pony Express PumpkinFest.
Eric Fuson
As an art professor with nearly 30 years of experience, he is more often the student himself as he observes everyday moments and encourages students to express themselves through these artistic mediums.
Women in Entrepreneurship
These women and their successes are also fueled by an uncommon inventory of local resources and connections that…to put it simply…means stuff is getting done.
Wyeth Mansion and Huston Wyeth
One of St. Joseph public schools earliest and most successful students, Huston Wyeth, built in 1918-1922 what was considered a very large country estate located northeast of central downtown. It was called Wyethwood.
Collaborative Advocacy
The steering committee of Great Northwest Day at the Capitol and the approximately 300 people from this regional community of 19 counties meets in Jefferson City in early February each year.
Sarah DeGarmo
Sarah DeGarmo’s story is one of life echoing art. And vice versa.
German-American Building
Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, this architectural feat, designed by esteemed local architects Eckel and Mann, is getting a second life thanks to a $20 million shot in the arm from Mosaic Life Care.
The Remington Nature Center
As one of St. Joseph’s most unique, hands-on educational experiences, this award-winning museum and attraction has everything
Marek’s Torpedo
What does it take to become a local legend in sandwich-making? The recipe calls for a family history of food know-how, plus a generous amount of business savvy.
Ben Magoon’s Famous Delicatessen
Magoon’s serves up Reuben’s and hot chili, then transitions to live local music, five nights a week. (Are you into food, or music, or both? Read on.)
The Parkway
In addition to its paved walking paths, the Parkway features miles of rugged biking and hiking trails and serves as a red carpet to some of St. Joseph’s most interesting places.
Walter Cronkite Memorial
For decades, families across America invited Walter Cronkite into their living rooms every evening, trusting he would bring national and world events into focus. With his deep voice and warm demeanor, Walter Cronkite delivered the news of the day — good and bad — with unfaltering dignity and integrity.
Irving Ernest Bacon
A St. Joseph native, Irving Ernest Bacon spent his life as an endearing and enduring American character actor.
Coffee in St. Joseph
When it’s time for a coffee fix, St. Joseph’s options range from the eclectic to the trendy to the fast and familiar. The coffee culture in St. Joseph continues to expand and thrive, fueled by historic roasters, young entrepreneurs and locals who want to open the doors to a comfortable piece of the city’s relaxed vibe.
Leadership St. Joseph
Apple Blossom BBQ
St. Joseph has much to be proud of, including all of the activities that happen Apple Blossom weekend
Joseph Robidoux
Born in 1783 to a St. Louis family of merchants and fur traders, Joseph Robidoux would become the founder of St. Joseph, MO.
Children’s Theater
Shakespeare famously said “All the world’s a stage.” Had he been to St. Joseph, he might have added “and wow, these kids seriously have it made.”
Food For Kids
More than a decade of service later, the program continues to grow. Most of the kids who live in this St. Joseph neighborhood receive free or reduced priced breakfast and lunch during the school year, but have limited food resources in the summer.
The Murals of Downtown St. Joseph
The drive throughout downtown has become more colorful in the last five years, thanks to the creation of larger than life murals that convey the unique spirit of St. Joseph.
Big Brothers Big Sisters St. Joseph
Helping a child see his or her potential is all about the “big” things – which are often wrapped up in all the little things.
Small Business and Technology Development Center
Not only does the SBTDC help hundreds of small business owners capitalize on their dreams, it is a great example of how government agencies, higher education, and nonprofit organizations can work together for the greater good.
Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp
St. Joseph is about to “see red” for three action-packed weeks, and the fans and community couldn’t be happier. Or louder. Or more pumped.
Betty’s Cafe
When it comes to home-cooked breakfast and lunch, you get it Betty’s way. Or you don’t get the darn thing at all.
Horizon Cycling
Cherry Mash
For 100 years, the iconic Cherry Mash has been made in St. Joseph. The combination of peanuts, chocolate and cherry fondant is the third-oldest continuously made candy bar in the country.
Hockey and Ice Skating
St. Joseph School District
Barbosa’s Mexican Restaurants
There’s a lot of history, hard work and tradition packed into the Barbosa’s restaurant legacy in St. Joseph.
Downtown St. Joseph
You’re going to hear a lot of “I love downtown” from St. Joseph residents and guests. Downtown is coming alive block by block, with awesome surprises at every turn.
New Stories in Old Spaces
There’s a new energy toward renovation across St. Joseph. Across the city’s historic areas, developers and organizations are taking a fresh look at how architectural elements can connect our history and our future.
River Bluff Brewing
What started 160 years ago has returned in a new way. Ask hundreds of customers and visitors, and they’ll say it’s right on time.
Christmas at the Chateau
Following formal distribution of the locally-filmed movie “Christmas at the Chateau” in 2019, it’s likely that many watching from home will say “Where did they film this? This place is amazing.”
Delmer J. Yoakum
St. Joseph has been the launching point for many artists throughout its history; but what if we told you that one locally born artist has a legacy that lives on in Disneyland.
Museums in St. Joseph
A visit to the St. Joseph museums is … Quirky. Surprising. Curious. Impressive. Enlightening. And totally worth a day, or an afternoon, or a full weekend with the family.
Downtown First
Like the proverbial Phoenix from the ashes, St. Joseph’s historic downtown is on the rise.
Muny Inn
Greg Hatten
All of Greg Hatten’s adventures have deep roots right here in St. Joseph
St. Jo Frontier Casino
Games of chance and dining establishments have been a part of St. Joseph, Missouri’s uncommon character since the earliest settlers gathered to let off some steam and gamble on optimistic odds.
Couch and Click
John Rodgers
Rodgers, a professional home preservationist, says his family has often taken vacations to places with rich history and architecture, and “stumbled” upon St. Joseph more than three years ago.
The Missouri River
The Missouri River majestically frames St. Joseph, nestling the city within its banks and bluffs. The river creates a constantly changing backdrop of natural beauty, economic opportunity and recreation, woven together by a rich collection of shared stories and history.
Don Tolly
Jefferson Highway
Starting in the 1910s organizations, communities, and even private individuals began developing the first paved highways to connect metropolitan areas which would collectively become known as the National Auto Trail system.
White House on the Hill
New Generation Singers
The New Generation singers, known as New G, are a highly-energetic and original voice for St. Joseph. And they’re hard to define, in all the best of ways.
Hillyard Hoop Dreams
Amidst the chaos of a packed gymnasium… squeak, squeak. Bounce. Bounce. These are the only sounds that matter. Sneakers and a basketball against a polished gym floor.
Suzanne Lehr and Mount Mora Cemetery
Mount Mora Cemetery, home to 14,000 to 18,000 deceased individuals, is curiously and remarkably alive.
Cafe Belle Epoque
Walking into Café Belle Epoque takes you back in time. The copper tin ceiling, marble table tops, hardwood floors, wood-burning stove and jazz music seem to transport you to a period of economic glamour in historic St. Joseph.
St. Patrick’s Mexican Fiesta
The food is very important to the festival, but it’s only part of the whole story. There’s a variety show and several dancing events throughout the weekend. Sequins and smiles mark the coronation event, and there is live music, children’s entertainment events and vendors spanning the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church grounds.
Barbershop Classics
The Owen Sisters
They were pioneers who pushed through boundaries, helped found organizations and forge new paths.
Schneitter Fireworks
Buchanan County Courthouse
Built in 1873, the Buchanan County Courthouse, with its majestic white pointed dome, stands as an architectural icon during the day and casts a warm stately glow over downtown St. Joseph in the evening light.
Will Stuck
Watch him in action as a professional storyteller, presenter and entertainer. Children giggle, gasp and clap uncontrollably. Adults set their stress aside for a good shoulder-shaking laugh.
Treasure Hunting
Many people have been known to say that St. Joseph, MO is a best kept secret. In many ways that is true, but literally so when talking about geocaching.
Radkey
You don’t get on billboards in New York City, praised by publications like Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly and perform alongside rock legends without breaking some rules.
Jed Chappell
Jed Chappell’s view of St. Joseph and the surrounding region is one reserved for a handful of residents. It’s a view set aside for those motivated to push themselves from both a physical and emotional perspective.
Fishing in St. Joseph
Here’s a brief guide to St. Joseph’s uncommon fishing scene, starting with some unique options for getting the gear. And to all the spontaneous dabblers, the super-planners, the slightly-squeamish and seasoned anglers … We say welcome. We are glad you are here.
Isobel McGowan
With grit and determination, she is inspiring St. Joseph to roll up its sleeves and dust off its many architectural treasures.
Randolph Seating and Mobility
For 20 years, Randolph Seating and Mobility has been locally owned and operated in St. Joseph, serving the four-state area with one of the largest mobility selections in the Missouri and Kansas regions.
Danielle Paolillo
“I sat there and thought…I wish I could do something, I wish I could do something…and I finally said, enough. I’m going to volunteer. I will never regret making that decision,” says Danielle.
Boehringer Ingelheim
While the company is always looking to the future, it is also anchored in the past. An anchor from 1954 remains on part of the BI campus.
Alexandria Courtney
Alexandria Courtney’s story is one of resiliency, the blessings of modern health care and the kindness of friends.
St. Joseph Music Foundation
The local music scene in St. Joseph is diverse. Eclectic. A bit unexpected.
Artcrafts Engraving Co.
Striding through the doors of Artcrafts Engraving Co. transports you from the modern streets of St. Joseph back through our history in manufacturing.
The Family of the News-Press & Gazette Company
St. Joseph’s media ventures have served as the world’s window into the exciting adventure, politics, risk-taking and expansion of the western edge of America’s Midwest for nearly 175 years. Objectivity and what we now consider quality journalism, however, were not always as prevalent on the St. Joseph scene as they have been in the last 70 years.
Alonzo Weston
He’s spent years lying in the shadows. Now, more than ever, the world needs his courage. St. Joseph’s most influential writer, Alonzo Weston, has revealed his secret identity. He. Is. A. Nerd.
South Side District
There’s a lot to love about St. Joseph’s Southside. This tight-knit community is on pace for a major comeback.
Jan Chu
The founder of Hunan Restaurant, St. Joseph’s flagship Chinese restaurant, said she wasn’t scared to start her own business 36 years ago.
Ron Selkirk
If you ask him about his career playing and coaching tennis, he’ll tell you he just hopes that people try the sport.
Eugene Field
Eugene Field, Sr. was an American writer, best known for his children’s poetry and humorous essays.
Restoration Church
Built in the 1850s, the riverfront warehouse property and its sister warehouse property at 101 Francis were purchased by Pastor Doyle and his congregation at Restoration Church in 2012.
Ruth Costello
“You never know the joy you’re giving. You never know what could happen from your donation.”
Ruby Theatre
Roadside Attractions
Every city has its unique claims to fame and St. Joseph, Missouri is no exception.
Pete Kelley
Olympic weightlifter and USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame member Pete Kelley has seen some impressive views from around the globe.
St. Joseph’s Stained Glass
Glass art is a risk, all things considered. It’s fragile; somewhat unpredictable; it’s finicky as a medium. It’s heat, fire, precision and hope all melded together. And it’s a centuries-old trade that’s seeking a newer generation to carry the tradition forward.
Conner Hazelrigg
Every night before you go to bed, you plug your phone in to charge it. In some parts of the world, that’s a luxury they can’t afford. With a little help from Sunshine Electronic Display of St. Joseph, Conner Hazelrigg’s brilliant idea is making those parts of the world a little more connected.
Hall Street
When visitors and locals visit historic Hall Street in St. Joseph, they usually look up. A lot. And then they stop and stare. They take pictures and walk very slowly. They usually return, because this neighborhood known as “Millionaire’s Row” tells the story of St. Joseph’s turn-of-the century wealth and opulence like nothing else.
Historic Neighborhoods
St. Joseph, Missouri, is one of America’s best-kept secrets for historic architecture.
Goetz Brewery
M. K. Goetz stopped in St. Joseph and stayed, recognizing opportunity in the bustling outpost on the Missouri River. He started M.K. Goetz Brewery in 1859 from a wood frame building near Black Snake Creek
Summer Fun for Families
Thanks to two local resources, families can choose from dozens of day camps, workshops, events, special deals and experiences for summer that truly are unique to St. Joseph.
Mysteries of Sunbridge Hills
Are You in Love?
“Are You In Love?” is an original love song about, and for, St. Joseph’s residents written by Simon Fink.
See the Light in St. Joseph
St. Joseph Nerf Events
It’s not paintball. It’s not even a water balloon fight. It’s foam warfare, and there’s a good chance you’ll want to join the fun.
Modlins
Usually, people take vacations from their business, but for local couple Patrick and Terri Modlin, their vacations have created their business.
Our 2019 Holiday Letter
Big Muddy Mini Maker Faire
The Noyes Home for Children
For 125 years, the Noyes Home doors have greeted children, families and community volunteers with the sounds of family – and the sounds of hope for a new start.
The Isaac Miller House
From the wrought iron balcony of the 1859 Isaac Miller House, hundreds of stories have unfolded – and they continue to emerge, highlighting unique Southern family legacy and innovative founders’ history.