Webb City 1951 – 1968

Continuation of Jeanne Newby’s timeline of Webb City history

1951 – Mayor Pro tem C.S. Fly led the city from Nov. 1951 to April 1952.

1952 – C.S. Fly elected mayor to serve out Robert J. Cummings’ term through 1954.

1952 – The Smiths opened the Webb City Dairy Queen on Route 66 (Jefferson Street) at Fourth Street.

1952 – The Williams Chili Seasoning plant opened in April.

1952 – Hatten Field was improved in August. Volunteers built dressing rooms and showers for players and public restrooms. The rock wall had been built by the WPA.

1953 – A fierce ice storm hit in April and caused major damage.

1953 – The Webb City Drive-In movie theater opened.

1954 – Ed W. Murray was elected mayor for a term into 1958.

1954 – Hot Summer… reaching 117° in July.

1955 – The city had a Halloween costume parade, which ended with a street dance on Main Street. Lots of good, clean fun!

1956 – The Webb City American Legion started a campaign to officially name Webb City as the City of Flags. American Legion Queen candidates sold flags, and a door-to-door project to sell flags to the citizens for cost began. Over 500 were sold.

1956 – The Tuberculosis Hospital was shut down by court order and became Elmhurst Nursing Home.

1956 – The monument at Memorial Park to honor veterans was installed.

1957 – Webb City made the news as the “City of Flags” had a mass display of flags waving at almost every home on July 4. The plan, championed by the American Legion, was for Webb Citians to proudly display their flags on all holidays.

1957 – Dr. Melville Slaughter was given a reception in October to honor his 50 years of service.

1958 – Dr. Earl Baker served as mayor from April to November, when Mayor Pro Tem Paul Hight took over until the 1959 election.

1958 – Bob Baker, Bill Myers and Max Myers opened the MBM Investment Co. They rehabilitated the Civic  Drive-In Cafe at Broadway and Webb Street for their office.

1958 – Hal Wise Jr., publisher of the Webb City Sentinel, passed away in June at the age of 44.

1958 – July – The Memorial for veterans was installed in Memorial Park

1959 – Don O. Adamson was elected to finish Dr. Earl Baker’s term as mayor until 1962.

1959 – The first shipment of 500,000 Barbie dolls sold out immediately.

1959 – “Radar Hill” was established by the Air Force across from the Circle Mine in Oronogo. The hill is material (believed to be uncontaminated) that was removed from the top of the mine.

1959 – Max Myers and Bill Myers purchased the Webb City Sentinel.

1959 – The Hatten Golf Farm was purchased by Ted Hoffman for a housing subdivision.

1960 – Let’s Do The Twist. The dance was introduced in the fall but did not become a hit until 1961 when Chubby Checker started singing “The Twist.”

1960 – Mark Twain Elementary School was completed on West Aylor Street.

1960 – Karbe Grocery Store, at 16th and Madison streets, was destroyed by fire on Dec. 25.

1961 – Construction of the new Karbe store was begun in March at the same location, 1510 S. Madison St..

1962 – Baseball greats attended the grand opening of Clete Boyer’s Stop and Shop Food Center on Main Street in February. About 5,000 people came out to meet such famous players as Mickey Mantle, Ken Boyer, Whitey Herzog, Roger Maris, Bill Tuttle, Norm Siebern, Bob Cerv, Bob Allison, Dick Williams, Cal Melish, Hank Bauer, Jerry Lumpe and Bill Virdon. Big event in a small town!

1962 – Don O. Adamson was elected to a new term as mayor until 1966.

1962 – Wendell’s Meat Market opened for business in October.

1962 – Construction of Webb City Bank’s drive-through facility began.

1962 – The color Columbia blue was added to Webb City’s School colors of red and white. It helped differentiate the teams when Carl Junction and Webb City faced off.

1963 – The Jamison Building, home to the Missouri National Guard, was destroyed by fire in May. It was located behind the new Webb City drive-in bank.

1963 – Webb City became the center of attention in March when Helen Myers was named the Missouri Mother of the Year.

1963 – Kindergarten was added to the Webb City School system.

1963 – President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

1964 – Part of East Daugherty Street caved in.

1965 – A February fire destroyed Max Glover’s law office on Main Street.

1965 – Grand opening of Webb City Bank’s drive-through. Pat Orr was the bank president.

1966 – Every other parking meter was removed on Main Street to encourage shopping.

1966 – Robert J. Baker was elected mayor. He resigned in October 1969. Mayor Pro Tem Donald Scott took over until the next election in April 1970.

1966 – An explosion at Hercules powder plant rocked the area on July 14.

1967 – 154 acres including the former Sucker Flat mine officially became park property on Jan. 12.

1967 – Alba School consolidated with Webb City. Elementary school was still held in Alba, but high school students were bused to Webb City. The last graduating class was the Alba High School Class of ’68.

1967 – Ben Franklin opened on Main Street where the Hub had been.

1968 – June Poyner, submitted the winning entry in the Name the Park Contest. King Jack Park beat out 50 other entries.