Carthage, MO

Located in southwest Missouri about 15 minutes northeast of Joplin, Carthage offers a peaceful small-town setting with around 15,000 residents. The heart of town centers around a historic square anchored by the striking Jasper County Courthouse, built from locally quarried Carthage marble. Tree-lined streets and well-preserved Victorian homes give the neighborhoods plenty of character, with quiet city parks and the Spring River nearby for easy outdoor escapes.

Daily life here moves at a comfortable pace, but there are still plenty of community traditions to enjoy throughout the year. Every autumn, the town comes together for the popular Maple Leaf Festival, bringing weeks of parades, live music, and local food vendors to the area. Between Route 66 nostalgia at the local drive-in theater, unique spots like the Precious Moments Chapel, and an easy commute along Interstate 49, Carthage makes a convenient and welcoming home base.