Flournoy House

Flournoy House. . , Built by slave labor in 1826, the Jones H. Flournoy House is one of the oldest houses in Independence. It was originally located four blocks east of its current location. In 1831 church leaders led by church founder Joseph Smith, visited Independence. They met Flournoy, who was eager to sell his farmland. Smith determined that this area would serve as headquarters and a gathering place for members. A site on Flournoy's property was dedicated for construction of a temple. Tradition holds that it was in this house that Bishop Partridge and Flournoy reached an agreement for the sale of the 63.33 acres of land that became known as the "Temple Lot Property." Cultural differences between church members and their neighbors resulted in growing tension. In 1833 the church members were driven out of Jackson County., This building was then used as a school during part of the 1830s, making it one of the oldest surviving school buildings in the state. In 1862 the home ended up in the middle of a Civil War battle. Confederate troops mounted an attack on August 11 and Union soldiers took refuge behind the house and in the basement. A few bullet holes can still be detected in the soft clay bricks. The home was moved to its present location in 1989.