Joplin's oldest cemetery began with an initial purchase of 40 acres in 1871, before the city was even incorporated. The present 62-acre site contains some 50,000 graves, including about 10,000 unmarked ones in a pauper's field. Percy Wenrich, one of Joplin's most famous native sons, is buried at Fairview. Wenrich, who was born in Joplin in 1880, left for New York City in 1907 to pursue a career in music. Over the next forty years, Wenrich composed thousands of melodies including "Moonlight Bay,"Put On Your Old Grey Bonnet" (Joplin’s official song), "Silver Bell," "The Skeleton Rag," and "Rainbow".Never forgetting his roots, he proudly referred to himself as the "Joplin Kid." (Fairview Cemetery, 1200 Maiden Lane; Wenrich gravesite is in row 17, south end)