The plumbers who built Poplar Bluff

The Poplar Bluff Museum tells many unknown tales of our community. I want to tell you some of those hidden tales found within the museum walls.

Mr. H.J Morrison founded the Morrison Plumbing and Sheet Metal Company in 1890 at the corner of Broadway and Cedar streets. His business was damaged so bad during the 1927 tornado that he had to move to North Broadway. Mr. Morrison operated continuously for 51 years.

In 1941, the business was purchased by Carl Roberts. He renamed it the Roberts Plumbing and Heating Company. Carl expanded the business in 1959 to electrical contracting and air conditioning. His sons, Gene and Paul, worked in their dad’s shop since they were children. As adults, they took over the business, becoming major stockholders in 1971. Until the business finally closed in 2015, Roberts Plumbing and Heating literally built Poplar Bluff. They worked in every building from homes to hospitals for 74 years. Counting the founding of the original business in 1890, it served this community for 120 years. We are impressed and grateful for such a family business in this town.

Gene and Paul Roberts donated their collection of antique plumbing tools to the Poplar Bluff Museum. Even though the tools were ancient, the brothers stated that they still used most of them until the last day. They still did business like their father, the old-fashioned way with his old-fashioned tools. The antique tools are on display in the lobby.

The Museum is handicap accessible and open free of charge 1-4 p.m. Sunday at 1010 Main St. Tell them Mike sent you.

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.