A Statue of Harry Truman outside the Jackson County Courthouse on Independence Square - photo mine

Independence, Missouri - A Darling of History

Following my recent return to Missouri for a funeral, I took the opportunity to visit some of the historic sites and places of interest that I hadn't seen in many years. My visit to Independence located just outside Kansas City brought to mind many stories that may be unknown to most people or long forgotten by others. In this 4 part series, I review some of these amazing stories. Many of them are remarkable and some of them tragic, but it is interesting how significant this little city in Missouri has been in the history of the United States and, in some cases, the world.

The first part of the series focuses on Independence's role in the Westward expansion of the United States during the 19th century when a series of trails led to various new territories in the West including California, New Mexico, and Oregon.

The 2nd Post will focus on the beautiful churches in the area with special attention to the role that the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints (commonly known as Mormons) had on the city and the lasting legacy that remains today.

The 3rd part will tell the story of the humble, but influential, beginnings of U.S. President Harry S. Truman who lived, worked and is buried in Independence. Truman, a WWI Veteran, local businessman, judge, U.S. Senator, and U.S. Vice President, would eventually bring an end to WWII with the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The last post will focus on the history of conflict in the area. Independence had some interesting characters live or pass through it before, during and after the U.S. Civil War that include William Quantrill, Frank and Jesse James, two Civil War battles, and a role in the "Mormon War of 1838" in Missouri.

The Queen City of the Trails

Independence, Missouri found itself at the heart of the U.S. migration to the West in the 1800's. Riverboats from St. Louis could travel the Missouri River to a point just north of Independence and the city grew out of the masses of people that would follow their dreams of land ownership, mining enterprises, trading, and independence. The trails were named for their destinations, the most famous of which is the Oregon Trail.

Missouri Prairie - photo Pixabay.com

Independence became the place to outfit these settlers with wagons, livestock, equipment, and guides before they began their perilous 2000 mile journey across the prairies of Kansas towards the Rocky Mountains and beyond. The first of these trails, the Sante Fe, began as a trade route to the newly independent Mexican state following their war with Spain. Cloth and other refined goods were taken to Sante Fe and traded for furs, salt, and silver. All of this passed through Independence and its surrounding cities of Westport and Kansas City. The Oregon Trail followed shortly thereafter with settlers. Following the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill, California, a "rush" of people came through Independence seeking their fortunes in mining and related endeavors in California. They were called "'49'ers" for the year (1849) of the rush.

Independence c. 1848 - unknown artist

These travelers would make their journey in innovative wagons designed for the long journey. These were called "Prairie Schooners" and they were much lighter and more maneuverable than the heavy duty Conestoga wagons used on the East Coast of the U.S.

The expansion into the West ran from the 1820's through 1880's with a pause during the U.S. Civil War in the 1860's. Many notable characters lived or passed through Independence during this period. Frontiersman, trapper, and guide, Jim Bridger lived and is buried here. The legendary Daniel Boone passed through on one of his last hunting trips. Even Archduke Maximilian of Austria, and John James Audubon would visit Independence. The founder of the "Mormon" church, Joseph Smith would create a settlement here as well. Famous outlaws Jesse and Frank James lived in the area, the latter was even jailed in Independence for a time.

The Queen of the Trails is also the mother of many of the plethora of tales of the Old West in America. You will be hard pressed not to trace a portion of those stories back to Independence, Missouri.

Interesting Fact

The Louisiana Purchase, Lewis and Clark and Manifest Destiny

The Westward expansion of the United States sometimes regarded as "Manifest Destiny" began some time after the Lewis and Clark Expedition was sent to explore the head waters of the Missouri River and subsequently followed the Columbia River to its mouth in Oregon. The expedition passed through the area that would later be Independence and William Clark returned in 1808 to build Fort Osage (aka Fort Clark).
Fort Osage High School in Independence carries its namesake. Sacajawea, Lewis and Clark's guide during their expedition would also pass through and stay at Fort Osage on her journey back to the Dakota's with her French husband.

Learn more about Independence, Missouri and the Westward Trails:
https://westerntrips.blogspot.com/2011/10/independence-missouri-old-wests.html
http://www.octa-trails.org/articles/independence-missouri
http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/nftm/TrailFacts

Additional Sources: Independence, Missouri Wikipedia Page and visitindependence.com

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All photos are mine, in the public domain, or downloaded from Pixabay.com

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