Within the state of Missouri, Independence is the 4th largest. It is largely contained within the counties of Clay and Jackson and is part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. Independence had a total population of around 116,830 according to the census of the year 2010. Independence is the county seat of Jackson County. Because it was among the departure points of the Oregon and California and Santa Fe trails, it is knick-named the "Queen City of the Trails."
The first inhabitants of the area were the Osage and Missouri Indians. Much later on, Spanish settlers and for a short time French settlers lived within the region. The city of Independence became a part of the United States during 1803 with the Louisiana Purchase. In the year 1804, Lewis and Clark recorded that they stopped there in their journals and that they picked wild apples, plums and raspberries at a place which would later be a part of Independence.
The city of Independence was established on March 29th of 1827. It started as a popular frontier town and was the furthest western port along the Missouri River that both steamboats and cargo vessels could travel. The vessels can get through this particular area because of the convergence of the Missouri River with the Kansas River. The rivers converge roughly six miles west of town, near the current of the Missouri-Kansas border. The city immediately became a jumping off point for the newly emerging fur trade. Independence accommodated adventurers and merchants who were on their westward journey along the Santa Fe Trail.
The exciting part Independence played in American history is reflected in its stunningly restored mansions. For example, the Vaile Mansion was constructed in 1881 by a local entrepreneur by the name of Harvey Merrick Vaile. This famous home represents among the best examples of Second-Empire Victorian architecture in the nation. In 1855, the Bingham-Waggoner Estate was constructed. This was once the home of George C. Bingham, a well-known Civil War artist. The Marshal's Home & Museum is located within a jailhouse which was built in the year 1859. This jailhouse was once home to Frank James, the brother of Jessie James.
The Truman Home is one more well-known house within the city of Independence. It has an elegant simplicity and offers a glimpse into the personal life of the 33rd President of the United States. There are audio and video programs featured in the Truman Presidential Museum and Library, along with many things celebrating his life post and pre presidency, as well as in his campaign.
The city of Independence is the head office of the Community of Christ. This is the 2nd biggest denomination in the Latter Day Saint movement. The church maintains several other buildings and a large auditorium and likewise a temple in Independence. There is a big center for visitors near the Community of Christ Temple which belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Community of Christ Temple is situated directly across the street from the original Temple Lot which was designed in 1830 by Joseph Smith.