Welcome to Liberty
Located a quick and easy drive from all that Kansas City has to offer, Liberty (population 32,000) is a combination of old and new. Settled in 1822, the city was named for the American concept of “liberty.” What began as a frontier trading post on the Missouri River, Liberty has flourished with commerce and cultural activity.
In 2007, Liberty was designated a Preserve America community. The Preserve America program is a White House effort to encourage and support communities that preserve and promote America’s cultural and natural heritage. In 2011, Liberty was ranked by Family Circle Magazine as one of the “10 Best Towns for Families”, and named one of the “Best Places to Live” by CNN/Money Magazine.
Fun Facts About Liberty
The Clay County Savings Bank in Liberty was the site of the first successful daylight bank robbery in 1866 by the James-Younger Gang. The site is now the Jesse James Bank Museum which tells the tale of this notorious outlaw.
Fountain Bluff Sports Complex
The Fountain Bluff Sports Complex opened in 2002. This multi-million-dollar facility features various sporting events on its 146-acre site including softball, baseball, soccer, and football. The complex offers amenities not seen in most facilities. The site has eight ponds that are used to irrigate the fields as well as provide aesthetic beauty to the park in the form of lighted fountains. The complex also has more than two miles of walking and jogging trails.
Jesse James Bank Museum
The Jesse James Bank Museum, located on the historic square in Liberty, Missouri, was the site of the nation's first successful daylight peacetime bank robbery. While the robbers were never caught, the crime was attributed to the infamous James Gang. Visitors will see the bank as it was in 1866.
Liberty Trails System
To unwind, 12 community parks dot the Liberty landscape and include such amenities as shelters, spraygrounds, playgrounds, soccer fields, tennis courts, skate park, and a dog park. The Liberty Trails System takes users on a stroll through tree-lined, paved walkways. The Liberty area is home to four golf courses.
William Jewell College
Liberty is home to William Jewell College, a private, four-year liberal arts college of more than 900 undergraduate students that was founded in 1849. U.S. News & World Report named Jewell’s programs for first-year students among the top ten among U.S. colleges and universities. The college was honored by TIME magazine in 2001 as its Liberal Arts College of the Year.
Residents have long known that the City of Liberty, Missouri is a great place to live. The combination of the booming business community with quiet neighborhoods makes Liberty an excellent place to raise a family.
