Although there are at least 16 cities in the U.S.A. named Independence, the one on the Missouri side of our metropolitan area is probably the most prominent. Independence was named in honor of the Declaration of Independence. While Kansas City has a rich and deep history, the history of Independence traces back years before Kansas City came into being. Before Missouri achieved statehood in 1821, the settlers who had come to Jackson County chose Independence as the primary seat of government and commerce. In 1827, Independence was officially platted and the first courthouse, a log cabin structure, was built. A more formal, brick courthouse, was constructed in 1829.
Independence was originally known as the “Queen City of the Trails” because it was the location of the eastern departure point for settlers moving westward along the Santa Fe, California and Oregon Trails. Originally, traders located in St. Louis would ship their goods, by steamboat, up the Missouri River and then those goods would be carted by wagon into Independence to be exchanged for goods arriving from Santa Fe. This activity led to Independence being the jump-off point for settlers westward bound to California and Oregon. Because of its location, Independence was a thriving city for a number of years before Kansas City became the primary municipality in Jackson County. The focus of activity in Independence only began to shift westward around 1849, when sandbar conditions at the riverboat landing servicing Independence made it difficult for riverboats to land. There was also a cholera epidemic in the area that year. The combination of these two occurrences led traders and settlers to focus their activity in Westport and, thus, Kansas City was eventually born.
To this day, Jackson County is still somewhat divided between East and West. Independence continues to be the eastern seat of government in Jackson County and in more recent years has enjoyed increased commercial development. While it is no longer the “Queen City of the Trails” and smaller than Kansas City, it still remains a strong, vibrant and historically important city.
Perhaps best known nationally for our 33rd President, Harry S. Truman, “the Man from Independence”, the city is the home of the Truman Presidential Library which attracts visitors from all over the world each year.
