Independence

Independence was founded by pioneers who traveled from Independence, Missouri. E. A. Thorp, who platted North Independence in 1850 and was given the name of Independence. Official life in Independence began in 1874, with an act to incorporate the town, passed on October 13, 1884.

Lewis and Clark recorded in their journals that they stopped in 1804 to pick plums, raspberries, and wild apples at a site later identified as the location of Independence.

Independence, Missouri, lies on the south bank of the Missouri River, near the western edge of the state and a few miles east of Kansas City.

The "Queen City of the Trails," Independence, Missouri was the starting point for the Santa Fe, California and Oregon Trails. The specific route stretches from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon City, Oregon. This 2,170 mile long trail passes through Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho and Oregon. As the forerunner of America's westward expansion, the Oregon Trail was the pathway to the Pacific for fur traders, gold seekers, emigrants and missionaries. Beginning in 1841 and continuing for more than 20 years, an estimated 300,000 emigrants followed this route from Missouri to Oregon on a trip that took five months to complete. Route of the Santa Trail

The Independence Square Courthouse, which houses the restored office and courtroom Truman occupied as county judge in 1933, stands at the center of historic Independence Square. The setting for the beginning of one of the most distinguished political careers of our time. It was here, in the small office and administrative courtroom, that Harry S Truman began his life of public service that carried him from Independence, Missouri, to Washington, D.C. In 1973, Jackson County restored the office and courtroom to recapture its appearance of 1933 when Harry S Truman served as Presiding Judge.


Independence Courthouse Square, 1850	Independence Courthouse and Square: May 2003

The Jackson County Log Courthouse was the first courthouse in Jackson County was built by a black man named Samuel Shepard. This building was constructed by Shepard in 1827. The two-room log structure was home of Jackson County where controversial slave state, land disputes and westward expansion issues were dealt with. The restored 1827 Log Courthouse that served as the last courthouse between Independence and the Pacific Ocean for four years. Harry Truman held court here in the 1930s. Santa Fe trader Samuel C. Owens was a county clerk here. This structure was moved to this site in 1916, and altered to its present appearance in the 1920s.


Plaque On Display. . . A plaque is displayed outside the log courthouse	Jackson County Log Courthouse: May 2003
in Independence which slave Samuel
Shepard helped build. Courtesy of the CALL Newspaper

Mr. Harry S .Truman (1884-1972), 33rd President of the United States, lived in Independence, Missouri from 1919 until his death. The white Victorian style house at 219 North Delaware Street was built by the maternal grandfather of Bess Wallace Truman (1885-1982), and was known as the "Summer White House" during the Truman administration (1945-1953).

219 Delaware: Harry S. Truman Home

The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum has information, through its collections, and its exhibitions, special events and educational programs about Harry S. Truman and his Presidency. The library has more than 14 million pages of documents, including President Truman's own papers relating to his life and Presidency and nearly 500 other manuscript collections related to his career. His personal papers, government records, still photos, audio and video tapes, memorabilia on Head of State gifts are on display.

Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

The Chicago and Alton was one of the more important railroads in the history of Illinois, being one of the so-called air lines -- meaning that it followed a very direct route, in this case to Saint Louis and Kansas City and to the cities in between. When the Santa Fe railroad opened in 1888, however, that became the more direct route.

Chicago & Alton Depot in 1879; Structure burned

in 1923.

Chicago & Alton, Independence 1994

Alignment with the Santa Fe Trail

1859 Jail, Marshall's Home & Museum
In 1859, construction was completed on the new Jackson County Jail and Marshal’s House. The Jail, with its barred windows, double iron doors and leg chains, once housed Frank James, Jesse James notorious brother. Visitors can learn how James was treated like a hero and showered with gifts throughout his incarceration. Four feet away rises the back wall of the federalist-style marshal's house which was home for county marshals until the early 1930s. Special exhibits such as a collection of confiscated handmade weapons are available.