Route 96 is a state highway that travels from Route 171 near Carl Junction, in Jasper County, to Interstate 44 (I-44) in Halltown, in Lawrence County. A large section of the highway between Carthage and Halltown served as part of U.S. Route 66 (US 66) and is currently marked as Historic Route 66.
Route 96 exit from I-44
Jasper County is located in the southwest portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 122,761. Its county seat is Carthage, and its largest city is Joplin. The county was organized in 1841 and named for William Jasper, a hero of the American Revolutionary War.
Jasper County Courthouse in Carthage (August 2008)
Portrait of an Osage warrior, painted by George Catlin in 1834.
Log home of George Hornback, used as the initial Jasper County Courthouse in 1841. It has been preserved and can be viewed on the grounds of the Old Cabin Shop at 155 North Black Powder Lane in Carthage.
Cave Spring School, the site of Jasper County circuit court in 1865, is located at 4323 County Road 4 near La Russell.