National Register of Historic Places

Jackson County Courthouse

Independence, Jackson County, Missouri
Listed
October 17, 1972
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
72000713

About this property

The Jackson County Courthouse, also known as the Truman Courthouse, is a historic courthouse in Independence, Missouri. In 1922, Harry S. Truman won election as county judge for eastern Jackson County as a candidate of the Tom Pendergast faction of the Democratic Party. He failed to be re-elected in 1924, but, then won election as presiding judge in 1926. Truman served in this position in effect as county commissioner for eight years. He divided his time between the two Jackson County courthouses; this one in Independence, and the Jackson County Courthouse in Kansas City. (Truman later had an office in the Kansas City courthouse during most of his first term as U.S. Senator from 1935 to 1939.) No county offices are currently in the building. The county offices have moved a few blocks away to the Independence Courthouse Annex, located at 308 W. Kansas. The Jackson County Historical Society office and archives are housed in the building. It underwent a massive renovation to restore President Truman's office and courtroom, and to fix major structural issues. The courthouse grounds include statues of Presidents Harry S. Truman and Andrew Jackson, and historical markers and monuments commemorate pioneers, the Civil War, and the trails heading west – Santa Fe, California and Oregon trails – that marked the Independence Square as their starting point.

Location

Independence, Jackson County, Missouri
39.09250, -94.38301

Categories

LAWPOLITICS/GOVERNMENTARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
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The Civil War
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The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
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Rivers & Rail
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Notable People
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Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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Literature
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Nearby Historic Sites

Kritser House
Industrial
1.7 mi
Jackson County Jail and Marshal's House
Industrial
1.7 mi
Bryant, Dr. John S. Jr. and Harriet Smart, House
Industrial
1.8 mi
Trinity Episcopal Church
Industrial
1.8 mi
Hughes, Mollie and Josephine, House
Industrial
1.8 mi

Nearby Battles

George Todd killed near Independence (Oct 1864)
1864Civil War
0.4 mi
Battle of Independence (August 1862)
1862Civil War
1.7 mi
Quantrill Capture of Independence
1862Civil War
1.7 mi
Quantrill's Missouri Raids (1862–1863)
1862Civil War
1.7 mi
Independence Missouri 1862
1862Civil War
1.7 mi

Questions about this property

When was Jackson County Courthouse listed on the National Register?

Jackson County Courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 17, 1972.

What type of historic resource is Jackson County Courthouse?

Jackson County Courthouse is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Jackson County Courthouse?

The period of significance for Jackson County Courthouse is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Jackson County Courthouse?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Jackson County Courthouse will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

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