Schifferdecker House

The Schifferdecker house was built in 1890 by prominent Joplin businessman and philanthropist Charles Schifferdecker. Charles immigrated to the United States in 1869 and quickly made a name for himself in brewing. After moving to Joplin, Schifferdecker founded a brewing company and became involved in the city’s booming mining industry. He married his wife Mina in 1877, who also became a prominent member of the community. The home, as well as various parks bearing Schifferdecker’s name in Joplin, display the family’s relevance to the city’s history, growth, and current culture. Restoration of the home began in 2018 and is currently in the process of becoming a museum. 

Charles Schifferdecker immigrated to the United States from Baden, Germany as a young man in 1869. Once arriving in America, Schifferdecker began working at a brewing company in St. Louis, Missouri. Over the next decade, Schifferdecker continued his work in brewing, moving from St. Louis to Baxter Springs, Kansas, then finally residing in Joplin, Missouri in 1875. That same year, Schifferdecker began working with a business acquaintance in the brewing industry, Edward Zelleken. Schifferdecker operated their beer, bottling, and ice business from Joplin. Zelleken, a fellow German immigrant, became Schifferdecker's business partner, friend, and eventual neighbor.

In 1877, Charles married Wilhelmina (Mina). They had a prosperous life in Joplin. The brewing company was successful, and Mr. Schifferdecker became a prominent member of the community. Charles became involved in Joplin's booming mining industry, the founding of the First National Bank, and extensive land investments. Along with his business success, Schifferdecker was a pillar philanthropist in his community. He served on education and parks boards, built gardens and parks on his land, and left public parks to the city. Mina was well-known in the community not only for her support of Charles but also for her own work in philanthropy. She was an active member of the Ladies Aid Society and involved in her local Lutheran church.

Fifteen years after arriving in Joplin, Mr. Schifferdecker began construction on his home on Sergeant Avenue. The building was inspired by Rhine Valley German-style castles, with a German craftsman hired by Schifferdecker to work on the project. After its completion, Charles, Mina, and Mina’s mother, Frederika, resided in the house for the rest of their lives. The same year the Schifferdecker house was completed, in 1890, Zelleken began construction on his home next door, which was completed in 1893. The couple passed away in 1915, days apart. Mina passed away on October 20, 1915, after fighting breast cancer for over a year. Ten days later, Charles died. The two were laid to rest in a custom mausoleum at Mount Hope Cemetery, which Charles was a co-founder of. The city of Joplin was deeply saddened by the deaths of the Schifferdeckers. After the deaths of Charles and Mina, Frederika continued to live in the home until her death later that year. Their legacy, however, can still be seen in Joplin today, with their public parks in active use and the ongoing restoration of their home.

Since 1915, the Schifferdecker house has passed to multiple owners as the city of Joplin continued to grow around it. The house was damaged by a “horrific fire” in 1991 and fell into disarray. In 2017, the founders of Joplin Historical Neighborhoods (JHN), David and Debra Humphreys, bought the home and actively began restoration work in 2018. JHN has worked on restoring structural integrity to the home, as well as preparing the property to be a museum site. The museum is expected to open soon, which will not only shed light on the lives of the Schifferdeckers but also Victorian-era Joplin. 

"The Homes," Joplin Historical Neighborhoods. Accessed September 2nd, 2023. https://joplinhistorical.org/the-homes/.

"The Charles Schifferdecker House," Historic Murphysburg Preservation. Accessed September 2nd, 2023. https://www.murphysburg.org/homes/the-charles-schifferdecker-house/.

"Mr. Charles Schifferdecker", Historic Murphysburg Preservation. Accessed September 2nd, 2023. https://www.murphysburg.org/history/mr-charles-schifferdecker/.

Caldwell, Bill. "Edward Zelleken was Brewer, Capitalist, Philanthropist", Joplin Globe. December 17th, 2021. Accessed September 2nd, 2023. https://www.joplinglobe.com/news/local_news/bill-caldwell-edward-zelleken-was-brewer-capitalist-philanthropist/article_30c883dc-5dce-11ec-a994-0f2f3e1cb7a0.html.

"Wilhelmina J. “Mina” Martens Schifferdecker", Find a Grave. Accessed September 2nd, 2023. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9278843/wilhelmina-j-schifferdecker.