The Neosho National Fish Hatchery, located near Joplin, MO, is the oldest federal fish hatchery still in operation today, having been established in 1890. It is one of 69 fish hatcheries that are administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (US Fish and Wildlife Service). It was founded in the year 1888.
Neosho, Missouri, in the Ozark Mountain region of southwest Missouri, was chosen as the site for the hatchery because of its proximity to spring water and the railroad, among other factors. Land for the fish hatchery was purchased for $2,472 from Lemuel B. and Mary A. Hearrell, who had previously donated it.
When the Hearrells sold the hatchery Hearrell Spring for $1, it delivered 300 gallons of water per minute, which was more than enough for the hatchery’s initial requirements. A prolific fish station, the fish hatchery was established in 1890 and raised seven kinds of warm and cold water fish at that time. The hatchery’s water supply was increased to 1,000 gallons per minute in 1907 when the McMahon Spring was installed.
In 1961, a rehabilitation program was implemented at the fish hatchery. It was a huge success. The hatchery building built in 1890 was demolished and replaced with a new, modern tile and brick structure. All trout breeding facilities were demolished and 12 concrete raceways were installed in their stead. Obtaining title to a parcel of land totaling 244 acres (0.99 km2) on the Fort Crowder Military Reservation near Neosho, on which Elm and Bartholic Springs are located, was a major accomplishment. The hatchery’s water supply saw an increase of 500 gallons per minute as a result of this.
Neosho, Missouri, in the Ozark Mountain region of southwest Missouri, was chosen as the site for the hatchery because of its proximity to spring water and the railroad, among other factors. Land for the fish hatchery was purchased for $2,472 from Lemuel B. and Mary A. Hearrell, who had previously donated it. When the Hearrells sold the hatchery Hearrell Spring for $1, it delivered 300 gallons of water per minute, which was more than enough for the hatchery’s initial requirements. A prolific fish station, the fish hatchery was established in 1890 and raised seven kinds of warm and cold water fish at that time. The hatchery’s water supply was increased to 1,000 gallons per minute in 1907 when the McMahon Spring was installed.
In 1961, a rehabilitation program was implemented at the fish hatchery. It was a huge success. The hatchery building built in 1890 was demolished and replaced with a new, modern tile and brick structure. All trout breeding facilities were demolished and 12 concrete raceways were installed in their stead. Obtaining title to a parcel of land totaling 244 acres (0.99 km2) on the Fort Crowder Military Reservation near Neosho, on which Elm and Bartholic Springs are located, was a major accomplishment. The hatchery’s water supply saw an increase of 500 gallons per minute as a result of this.