Welcome to Independence
Independence is the hometown of Harry S. Truman who became one of America’s greatest and most beloved presidents. He loved it here so much, he returned home to Independence after serving in the White House. This city, the 5th largest in the state, is a popular tourist attraction for history buffs but also home to many folks who enjoy the small-town feel while still being 15 minutes from downtown Kansas City.
The City of Independence is named after the Declaration of Independence and was founded in 1827. It quickly became an important frontier town and is also known as the “Queen City of the Trails” because it was a point of departure for the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon Trails. For decades, Independence has hosted a large festival over Labor Day weekend called Santa-Cali-Gon Days, celebrating the city’s heritage as a starting point of these three major frontier trails. This festival attracts over 300,000 people annually.
Fun Facts About Independence
Did you know the Midwest Genealogy Center is the largest free-standing public family history research library in America? With the popularity of Ancestry.com, what a gem to have this facility so you can dig even deeper into your family history. It’s a gold mine right here in Independence, and one of the best places in the US to trace your family tree.
1859 Jail & Marshal’s Home and Museum
In 1958, a used building materials dealer nearly got permission to demolish the buildings and the right to claim the salvaged stone, brick, and timber as the price for his work. The abandoned buildings were given a new lease on life when a group of civic-minded citizens realized that there was yet another historic role for the unassuming two-story house at the corner of Main Street and what is now Truman Road.
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library
The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum was established to preserve the papers, books, and other historical materials relating to former President Harry S. Truman and to make them available to the people in a place suitable for exhibit and research. Consistently ranked among the top tourism destinations in the Kansas City region, no visit to America’s heartland is complete without a trip to the Harry S. Truman Library & Museum.
Living in Independence has a quaint heartland feel, yet you’re still just a step outside of bustling Kansas City. Brimming with history, Independence is true Midwest America.
