JOPLIN, MO.--- Donnie Bennett is surrounded by bricks with lots of history. He owns Caldone's restaurant in downtown Joplin. He's part of a group called "The Brick District."
"I just love the architecture. Back in the early days when they built it, they built it to last. They had great materials," states Donnie Bennett, Caldone's Restaurant Owner.
The Brick District Group consists of all the businesses from the 1st to 7th street along Joplin's Main street. They're dedicated to honoring their history and keeping it alive.
"There's so much history. I had a lady that lived here. She was in her 90's. She came and told me a story of how when she lived upstairs in one of the suites, Joplin used to be a rough and fun crazy town," states Bennett.
They've created a website and Facebook page that shows what these buildings looked like back in the day. They also give updates on construction. For instance, this pool hall at 1st street is being renovated fro a new business, but back in the day it looked like different.
"Taken the best of the old, which is the history and the character. The old wood floors and we've provided it with modern touch," states Bennett.
Bennett celebrates the history by also placing old pictures in his restaurant. He says people just bring them in for him to share. He says it's that kind of community and friendship he wants to bring back.
"In the old days, the downtown was the place of the community. That's where everybody gathered to meet their friends, to walk about. Right now, it's difficult to find a place where the cars aren't buzzing by."
If you would like to visit their Facebook page click here. To view their website click here.
"I just love the architecture. Back in the early days when they built it, they built it to last. They had great materials," states Donnie Bennett, Caldone's Restaurant Owner.
The Brick District Group consists of all the businesses from the 1st to 7th street along Joplin's Main street. They're dedicated to honoring their history and keeping it alive.
"There's so much history. I had a lady that lived here. She was in her 90's. She came and told me a story of how when she lived upstairs in one of the suites, Joplin used to be a rough and fun crazy town," states Bennett.
They've created a website and Facebook page that shows what these buildings looked like back in the day. They also give updates on construction. For instance, this pool hall at 1st street is being renovated fro a new business, but back in the day it looked like different.
"Taken the best of the old, which is the history and the character. The old wood floors and we've provided it with modern touch," states Bennett.
Bennett celebrates the history by also placing old pictures in his restaurant. He says people just bring them in for him to share. He says it's that kind of community and friendship he wants to bring back.
"In the old days, the downtown was the place of the community. That's where everybody gathered to meet their friends, to walk about. Right now, it's difficult to find a place where the cars aren't buzzing by."
If you would like to visit their Facebook page click here. To view their website click here.
