Red Oak II

Driving along a country road in Carthage, I suddenly see it – a festival of colors breaking through the monotony of the landscape.

This unexpected sight is called Red Oak II, Missoura, a collection of early 20th-century buildings painted in eyecatching colors like teal, melon, aqua, and apple red.

Is it a theme park?

No.

There are no gimmicks here, no slick hooks to attract visitors only to then bombard them with overpriced souvenirs.

Red Oak II simply is.

What is Red Oak II?

Red Oak II is the brainchild of Lowell Davis, an internationally-known artist who is considered the “Norman Rockwell of rural art.”

Davis was born and raised in the tiny town of Red Oak, Missouri, located about 20 miles from Carthage. As an adult, he left Red Oak and moved to Dallas where he worked at an advertising agency.

But big-city life wasn’t for him; he craved the uncomplicated, slow-paced life of his hometown.

Davis returned to Missouri only to discover that Red Oak had become a ghost town during his absence.

So, what did he do?

He bought buildings from Red Oak and moved them to his family’s land near Carthage where gave them a new life.

He named this repurposed town Red Oak II.

Visiting Red Oak II

Red Oak II is not just a collection of old buildings; it’s a three-dimensional canvas of Davis’ art.

Here, the land is dotted with old cars, a plane, and other metal pieces. But don’t think this is a junkyard filled with unwanted items. This is a showcase filled with symbols of a bygone era.

Personally, I was fascinated with this sidewalk that’s embedded with things like eating utensils and parts of a sewing machine.

I’d suggest driving through Red Oak II once before you walk around. Doing so will give you an overview of the town and you can decide where you’d like to explore further while on foot.

I admit that I felt strange driving though Red Oak II the first time I went. I’d read that it was free and open to the public, but the buildings are privately owned, so I felt like I was trespassing.

Not that anyone made me feel that way. In fact, several people waved as we drove by, including Davis himself (he lives in the heart of Red Oak II in the home of the infamous Belle Starr, who was born near Carthage).

I felt like a time traveler, departing the technology-driven, frenzied pace of the 21st century and arriving at an oasis of 20th-century simplicity.

At first, I was hesitant to explore. I feared I might permeate some sort of magical shield surrounding the town, causing its quaintness to disintegrate with my touch.

That sounds drastic, I know, but I’d never been to a place quite like this before, and I didn’t know exactly how to act.

Then I saw this little guy relaxing in the grass.

This ambassador of uncomplicated bliss seemed to be welcoming us to his simple town, inviting us to experience life at a leisurely place.

So we did.

We started by exploring the inside of the general store. Davis’ father actually managed the original store, and this is where Davis learned to paint and sculpt.

Private residences at Red Oak II are clearly marked, so we admired those from a distance. But it was fun to be able to peek inside the rest of the buildings. This tiny cottage situated at the edge of a pond was our favorite.

My daughter was thrilled to discover an even tinier cottage behind this cottage.

Then she opened the door and learned that it was actually an outhouse.

Still, it was a charming outhouse.

We then came across the Grim Reaper, a cheeky title for this one-of-a-kind sculpture.

In front of the marshall’s building, the antics of these turkeys captured our attention.

To me, Red Oak II looks like a movie set. This frozen-in-time town makes a great place for photography sessions.

If you want to take your Red Oak II experience to another level, come to a Saturday night jam session at the Salem Country Church, where you can hear bluegrass, country, and gospel music.

Or visit on a Sunday morning for church service.

Heck, visit Red Oak II any chance you get.

Just an hour spent wandering through this simple, unchanged town offers a mental vacation from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

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This article was commissioned by the Joplin CVB, however the opinions expressed are purely my own. The purpose of Joplin MO Life is to highlight all the best that our area has to offer, and when an article is written about a restaurant, business, attraction, or event, it is because I have had an enjoyable experience and want to share it with others.

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Living Life to The Fullest!

I love seeking out new experiences and finding places off the beaten path. I started Joplin MO Life in August 2013 as a way to share my discoveries with others in the Joplin community so that they can learn about the resources that exist right in their own backyards.

I have worked in education and event planning, and have always loved to write. I hold a master's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor's degree in marketing from Tulane University.