Memorial Hall, built to honor Joplin war veterans, was dedicated before a crowd of 2,000 people on October 18, 1925. The Joplin architectural firm of August and Alfred Michaelis built the 4,000-seat, yellow brick building at a cost of $250,000. Tragically, Alfred's career came to an abrupt halt when he died from injuries sustained in a fall from the gallery loft, while doing a final inspection. Bob Hope, Paul Harvey, Mae West, Gene Autry, and the Harlem Globetrotters are just a few of the well-known performers who have appeared at Memorial Hall. Monuments to World War II and Vietnam War veterans are located on the grounds.