(From Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc.)In honor of Women’s History Month and Joplin’s Route 66 Centennial Celebration, Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. is proud to present the story of Dorothy Peck and Emma
Sue Hills. Dorothy and Emma Sue were not famous. They were not civic activists or talented athletes, but they were successful business owners, managers, cooks, wives, and parents who served people on the “The Mother Road.”
Watch the whole story on the Missouri Southern State University “Newsmaker” TV show on YouTube channel: KGCS-Missouri Southern State University. https://www.youtube.com/@kgcs-missourisouthernstate6819. Search for Women in Business on Route 66.
Between 1957 and 1987, travelers got their kicks on Joplin’s Route 66 by stopping at Mac’s Bakery & Donuts and at Mr. Swiss Drive-In. At Mac’s you could enjoy a freshly made pie, or donut with your cup of coffee and order a custom-made birthday or wedding cake.
At Mr. Swiss you could eat a traditional hamburger with fries and ice cream, or a plate of Spaghetti
Red. What---you don’t know what Spaghetti Red is?
Both establishments were on opposite corners of South Sergeant Avenue and West 7th Street, an important Joplin and Route 66 economic corridor. The establishments were also on the southern edge of what is now the residential Murphysburg Historic District, considered a Route 66 complementary corridor.
Red. What---you don’t know what Spaghetti Red is?
Both establishments were on opposite corners of South Sergeant Avenue and West 7th Street, an important Joplin and Route 66 economic corridor. The establishments were also on the southern edge of what is now the residential Murphysburg Historic District, considered a Route 66 complementary corridor.
During the last three decades of Route 66’s official years there were many “mom and pop” bakeries, but it is Mac’s that locals still remember.
Dorothy Ona Butler Peck
Dorothy was born in 1921 in St. Joseph, Missouri, graduated from Central High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1939 and married Wallace Peck in 1941. Together they raised six children. Dorothy would bring the children to Mac’s Bakery and they all worked there while growing up. It was truly a family business.
Dorothy Ona Butler Peck
Dorothy was born in 1921 in St. Joseph, Missouri, graduated from Central High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1939 and married Wallace Peck in 1941. Together they raised six children. Dorothy would bring the children to Mac’s Bakery and they all worked there while growing up. It was truly a family business.
In a November 2025 interview with Terri Peck Holgate, one of the Peck’s daughters, she said, “It was a happy business because people bought cakes for celebrations.”
Terri further explained that her mother preferred to remain “behind the scenes.” Dorothy was self-taught from books. She developed recipes to make them better like the icing used on the cakes. The recipe remains a family secret.
Terri further explained that her mother preferred to remain “behind the scenes.” Dorothy was self-taught from books. She developed recipes to make them better like the icing used on the cakes. The recipe remains a family secret.
Besides baking, decorating, parenting, plus managing the books and finances, Dorothy found time to teach cake decorating. Terri described her mother as fearless, driven, and very honest.
In a March 2026 interview with Michelle Peck Endicott, another one of Dorothy’s daughters, she relayed the story of how Dorothy would manage the daily cash intake. Every night Dorothy would put the cash in her purse and carry it around all week!
In a March 2026 interview with Michelle Peck Endicott, another one of Dorothy’s daughters, she relayed the story of how Dorothy would manage the daily cash intake. Every night Dorothy would put the cash in her purse and carry it around all week!
By Saturday evening, Dorothy’s shoulder was weighed down from carrying the purse. On Sunday the family would sit around the table and sort the money so it could be deposited on Monday. It was
Dorothy’s idea to locate their store on Route 66 because she thought it would draw a lot of traffic.
On May 11, 2017 at the age of 95, Dorothy passed away at Michelle’s house, following an illness.
“Mac’s” --- What’s in a Name?
Wallace and Dorothy purchased Mac’s Pie Shop in 1957 from Harry and Flora Thurston.
Three years earlier, the Thurston’s purchased the pie business from O. F. MacLendon, thus the name “Mac’s.”
Dorothy’s idea to locate their store on Route 66 because she thought it would draw a lot of traffic.
On May 11, 2017 at the age of 95, Dorothy passed away at Michelle’s house, following an illness.
“Mac’s” --- What’s in a Name?
Wallace and Dorothy purchased Mac’s Pie Shop in 1957 from Harry and Flora Thurston.
Three years earlier, the Thurston’s purchased the pie business from O. F. MacLendon, thus the name “Mac’s.”
When the Pecks retired in 1984, their daughter Terri Peck Holgate and her husband Robert took over for the next 30 years. The last location for Mac’s was 701 West 7th Street. Currently the building is extant and waiting for a new renter.
After MacLendon was no longer affiliated with the business, customers would still ask for “Mac,” so Wallace adopted the nickname of “Mac” and later so did Robert because it was easier than the explanation.
After MacLendon was no longer affiliated with the business, customers would still ask for “Mac,” so Wallace adopted the nickname of “Mac” and later so did Robert because it was easier than the explanation.
The first line in Wallace’s obituary in the 2002 Joplin Globe reads, “Wallace Townes “Mac” Peck, age 82 of Joplin, passed away…”
Emma Sue Leatherwood Hills
Emma was born on September 21, 1924 in Purcell, Missouri. Her father passed away when she was only 13 causing her to quit school and go to work at the age of 14 for a pharmacist and his family in Carthage. She would spend the night at their house during the week and return to her mother’s house in Webb City for the weekend.
Emma Sue Leatherwood Hills
Emma was born on September 21, 1924 in Purcell, Missouri. Her father passed away when she was only 13 causing her to quit school and go to work at the age of 14 for a pharmacist and his family in Carthage. She would spend the night at their house during the week and return to her mother’s house in Webb City for the weekend.
As an adult she started working at Meeker (Leather) Co. in Joplin. One of her tasks was to glue leather billfolds which required bending over for long periods of time in a very hot environment.
Emma Sue met Hugh Hills at Meeker Co. and they married in 1951. Together they raised two daughters and one son.
According to an article on February 8, 1995 in the Joplin Globe, “The building was constructed in 1930 at 1101 East 7th Street on Route 66. At its prime, Meeker Co. had more than 400 employees and distributed its leather goods to stores in 50 states and some foreign countries. That work force dwindled to about 10 employees before the plant shut down in 1987.” The building was razed in 1995.
The long-time owner of Meeker Co., and former mayor of Joplin, was Freeman R. Johnson.
Through the years he came to appreciate how valuable Hugh was to the business and to Mr. Johnson personally. When Mr. Johnson passed away in 1965, he bequeathed his garden tools and a generous dollar amount to Hugh. Today Mr. Johnson’s legacy lives on through the Freeman R. Johnson Trust that he set up for the furtherance and development of charities, education, and municipal projects in the Joplin area. The trust holds well over $1 million in assets.
Emma Sue met Hugh Hills at Meeker Co. and they married in 1951. Together they raised two daughters and one son.
According to an article on February 8, 1995 in the Joplin Globe, “The building was constructed in 1930 at 1101 East 7th Street on Route 66. At its prime, Meeker Co. had more than 400 employees and distributed its leather goods to stores in 50 states and some foreign countries. That work force dwindled to about 10 employees before the plant shut down in 1987.” The building was razed in 1995.
The long-time owner of Meeker Co., and former mayor of Joplin, was Freeman R. Johnson.
Through the years he came to appreciate how valuable Hugh was to the business and to Mr. Johnson personally. When Mr. Johnson passed away in 1965, he bequeathed his garden tools and a generous dollar amount to Hugh. Today Mr. Johnson’s legacy lives on through the Freeman R. Johnson Trust that he set up for the furtherance and development of charities, education, and municipal projects in the Joplin area. The trust holds well over $1 million in assets.
On August 16, 2007 at the age of 82, Emma Sue passed away at St. John’s Regional Medical
Center, now known as Mercy Hospital. Hugh passed away on April 22, 2025 at the age of 99.
Mr. Swiss Comes to Joplin
One day Emma Sue’s nephew came to her and Hugh asking them to co-sign on a loan so he could buy a Mr. Swiss franchise in Joplin. The Hills honored his request, but soon it became evident that the nephew was not a good business operator---more money went out the back door than came in the front door.
Therefore, in 1967 Emma Sue and Hugh decided to take over the Mr. Swiss operation at 635 W. 7th Street. Hugh visited the creditors and promised to pay them back in full, which he did.
The Hills ran the restaurant for 20 years, first as a Mr. Swiss and then as Hillbilly Hills when Mr. Swiss went out of business. The restaurant closed in 1987.
The Hills ran the restaurant for 20 years, first as a Mr. Swiss and then as Hillbilly Hills when Mr. Swiss went out of business. The restaurant closed in 1987.
Currently the building, with its distinctive A-frame architecture, is extant and waiting for a new life.
Just like the Peck children, daughter Conni started working at Mr. Swiss at 15 years old, daughter Cathy at 13 years old, and son Tom at 12 years old. When Hugh opened a second Mr. Swiss at 130 N. Range Line Road, Emma Sue took over supervising the 7th Street location. The family worked hard seven days a week but did find time for some fun.
Just like the Peck children, daughter Conni started working at Mr. Swiss at 15 years old, daughter Cathy at 13 years old, and son Tom at 12 years old. When Hugh opened a second Mr. Swiss at 130 N. Range Line Road, Emma Sue took over supervising the 7th Street location. The family worked hard seven days a week but did find time for some fun.
Conni Hills Lipe remembers that employees of the 7th Street location would come over to the Range Line location for occasional water balloon fights.
The Hills understood that being community minded was also good advertising. The Hills frequently sponsored pee wee teams, women’s and men’s softball teams, and men’s bowling teams. The team’s name was Joplin Mr. Swiss or Mr. Swiss.
The Hills understood that being community minded was also good advertising. The Hills frequently sponsored pee wee teams, women’s and men’s softball teams, and men’s bowling teams. The team’s name was Joplin Mr. Swiss or Mr. Swiss.
Around the 1970s it was common for such teams to be named for their sponsors, usually that of local businesses.
Diversity and Kindness on Route 66
Dorothy was always giving away donuts, especially to children. One day a little boy wanted a gingerbread house so much that Dorothy gave it to him for free. It normally sold for $20.
Terri said the gift “put the boy into ecstasy.”
Dorothy donated end-of-day products to Catholic Charities and to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Relief Society. Leftovers were never sold the next day because everything was made fresh daily and preservatives were never used.
Some customers were low income while some came from the wealthier parts of town.
While Dorothy embraced the diversity of the neighborhood around 7th and Sergeant, she would ask “panhandlers” in front of her business to come to the back door where she would give them coffee and donuts.
And just like Mac’s Bakery, the Hills were generous to youngsters who stopped in. Conni remembers that often their dad would give kids a paper sack and tell them to help themselves to ice cream treats made at the store that were sold from a freezer case.
May 2011 Joplin Tornado Crashes Into Dorothy’s Life and Hugh’s Life
As the Joplin EF5 Tornado developed on May 22, 2011, Dorothy watched the sky from her Redwood Apartment Complex. At the advice of her granddaughter who lived upstairs, Dorothy moved to her bathroom just before the tornado hit the complex. The deadly tornado also damaged approximately one-third of the city.
Diversity and Kindness on Route 66
Dorothy was always giving away donuts, especially to children. One day a little boy wanted a gingerbread house so much that Dorothy gave it to him for free. It normally sold for $20.
Terri said the gift “put the boy into ecstasy.”
Dorothy donated end-of-day products to Catholic Charities and to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Relief Society. Leftovers were never sold the next day because everything was made fresh daily and preservatives were never used.
Some customers were low income while some came from the wealthier parts of town.
While Dorothy embraced the diversity of the neighborhood around 7th and Sergeant, she would ask “panhandlers” in front of her business to come to the back door where she would give them coffee and donuts.
And just like Mac’s Bakery, the Hills were generous to youngsters who stopped in. Conni remembers that often their dad would give kids a paper sack and tell them to help themselves to ice cream treats made at the store that were sold from a freezer case.
May 2011 Joplin Tornado Crashes Into Dorothy’s Life and Hugh’s Life
As the Joplin EF5 Tornado developed on May 22, 2011, Dorothy watched the sky from her Redwood Apartment Complex. At the advice of her granddaughter who lived upstairs, Dorothy moved to her bathroom just before the tornado hit the complex. The deadly tornado also damaged approximately one-third of the city.
As Terri said, her mother was fearless. While the complex sustained major damage and some buildings were totally destroyed, her individual unit survived the storm. Only one plate broke and Dorothy was
unharmed. Michelle said after the tornado Dorothy continued her life of kindness toward others and the ability to “take charge.”
unharmed. Michelle said after the tornado Dorothy continued her life of kindness toward others and the ability to “take charge.”
Immediately after the tornado, she gave shelter and medical attention to her injured and crippled neighbors. She used every towel she owned to treat their wounds and blankets to comfort them---all this at the age of 89 years old!
After the Redwood apartments were completely rebuilt, Dorothy returned to live there.
After Emma Sue’s death in 2007, Hugh remained active with his lawn service. Just like Dorothy, Hugh also miraculously survived the Joplin tornado. He sheltered in a bedroom closet! Unfortunately, his house, photographs, and his Mr. Swiss mementos were destroyed.
Seven days after the tornado, President Barack Obama toured Joplin and spoke to Hugh in front of his destroyed house. A photograph with the President and Hugh can still be viewed by searching “Joplin tornado” on Wikipedia.
Final Thoughts
Travel writer Sage Scott said it best, “The iconic Mother Road wouldn’t be what it is today without the women who helped shape it. From musicians and motel owners to restaurateurs and preservationists, their contributions continue to inspire every traveler who sets out on America’s most famous highway.”
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