What do the entire country of Canada and little Carthage, Missouri, have in common? They share an appreciation for the humble maple leaf. It's the national symbol of Canada, of course, and Carthage is nicknamed "America's Maple Leaf City." But the similarity pretty much ends there.
Carthage was the site of the first official battle of the American Civil War - the Battle of Carthage - on July 5, 1861
What do the entire country of Canada and little Carthage, Missouri, have in common? They share an appreciation for the humble maple leaf. It's the national symbol of Canada, of course, and Carthage is nicknamed "America's Maple Leaf City." But the similarity pretty much ends there.
Carthage was the site of the first official battle of the American Civil War - the Battle of Carthage - on July 5, 1861. Re-enactments of the battle are staged by local groups to commemorate the event.
The city of Carthage is located in Jasper County, Missouri, United States. It makes up part of the Joplin, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area. It has the nickname of "America's Maple Leaf City" due to the beautiful leaf colors to be witnessed during the months of fall. The 2010 U.S. Census estimated the population of the city to be almost 14,400. At the current intersection of Central and Garrison Avenue, Route 66 intersected with U.S. Route 71 in the 1920s. The iconic Route 66 was re-routed and then replaced with Interstate 44 in the 1960s. July is the warmest month, when average highs reach 91 degrees. January is the coolest month in Carthage, when average low temperatures drop down to 23 degrees.
How much will it cost?
The cost of living in Carthage is a lot lower than the average for the rest of the state, and substantially less than the national average. Pizza fans will be rather upset however, since the average cost of pizza in Carthage is a sizable slice greater than the national average price for pizza. At least with all that money you're saving on everything else will make up for paying a little more for a cheesy slice.
When to Begin Looking
You snooze, you might lose! Allow at least six weeks to relocate to a new rental in Carthage. There's relatively high demand for housing, so come prepared to place a deposit on your dream place, so as not to allow it to slip away from your grasp.
What you Need
Come prepared with the usual things any landlord wants to see. Prospective tenants should be able to provide references, proof of employment and current income, as well as the aforementioned deposit so as to be in the best position to seal the deal with landlords.
There is a somewhat limited choice of rentals available in Carthage, although that choice does include luxury apartments and pet friendly apartments. This means that it's a matter of searching to find the one that appeals to you most. Nevertheless though, as mentioned, don't be tempted to sit twiddling your thumbs when you do find a suitable place. It's best to offer the required deposit to the landlord there and then and no-doubt by doing so, you'll be good to go!
North Carthage: North Carthage in general is a pleasant area of the city to reside. There are plenty of schools in the vicinity and lots of amenities, including grocery stores, gas stations, banks, and restaurants.
Orchard St: Orchard St offers a variety of two bedroom apartments and 3 bedroom houses for rent. There are three schools in close proximity, in addition to four restaurants and two grocery stores.
Centennial: just three minutes from downtown, 15 minutes away from central Joplin, 30 minutes from Springfield, and with easy access to stores and local restaurants, as well as U.S. Highway 71 and I-44, Centennial is an excellent place to reside if you are looking to find an apartment in Carthage. It's a particularly safe area too as the crime rate is as good as non-existent.
Clinton St: Clinton St in Carthage is a popular spot for rentals. There are three schools in the area, together with six restaurants and a grocery store.
East Airport Dr: East Airport Dr makes for a cozy part of the city and offers prospective renters a choice between townhouses and apartments. There are six restaurants in close proximity.
Getting Around
Getting around Carthage and traveling further afield is easily achievable by car. I-44 takes travelers to Springfield in the east and Tulsa in the southwest. U.S. Highway 71 allows travelers to drive from Carthage northwards to Kansas City. There's no public transport in Carthage, so access to a car is certainly important. Joplin Regional Airport is 10 miles from Carthage. For international flights however, the closest airport is Tulsa International Airport at Tulsa, some 110 miles away.
Keeping Busy
How do folks who reside in Carthage keep themselves busy? A couple of miles northeast of Carthage, and just off the old iconic Route 66, will bring you to Red Oak II. This small village is the brainchild of artist Lowell Davis, who re-created his own "miniature" town through the purchase and rebuilding of homes and businesses from the original Red Oak town site, only to "refashion" them on the new site not far from Carthage City. A visit to Red Oak II represents something akin to a visit to the past gone by. Precious Moments Park and Chapel on Chapel Road, Carthage, received a certificate of excellence from TripAdvisor in 2013. Precious Moments Park and Chapel provides visitors with art museums, speciality museums, speciality shops, parkland, beautifully landscaped gardens, and guided tours within and around the chapel itself. The Precious Moments speciality figurines are sold to collectors from around the world. 66 Drive-in Theater on Old 66 Boulevard, Carthage, is one of the very last remaining operating drive-in theaters on the old Route 66. For total movie-viewing privacy, simply remain in your car, doors locked and windows tightly sealed. Or if you prefer to enjoy the outdoor atmosphere within the drive-in, bring along some deck chairs. Oh, and don't forget the obligatory popcorn!
Speaking of food, there are plenty of excellent eateries in and around Carthage. More of a coffee shop than anything else, Mother Road Coffee Restaurant on S Main, is a great place to chit chat about the weather or indulge in a little harmless gossip. Sirloin Stockade Restaurant on W Central Ave, Carthage, does what it says on the tin - top-notch American-style steaks! The steaks are always fresh and incredibly tasty, while the atmosphere of the place is difficult to beat! Iggy's Diner Restaurant on Grand Avenue, central Carthage, represents a small old-fashioned type diner offering a wide-ranging selection of "diner experience" food at a great price!
