South Kansas City in Jackson County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Alexander Majors

Freighter and Trader

Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022

1. Alexander Majors Marker

Inscription. Alexander Majors (1814-1900) was one of the greatest of the overland freighters and traders of the nineteenth century. He first got started in the overland trade in 1848 by taking a few wagons down the Santa Fe Trail. From this small start, Majors was awarded contracts by 1853 to supply some military posts in the West. The next years he teamed up with William Waddell and William Russell, and the huge freighting company of Russell, Majors, and Waddell was born. He built the Majors House at 83rd and State Line Road that still stands.

The firm's 1860-61 Pony Express operation led to bankruptcy. Majors returned to the life of a small independent freighter. He died in Chicago and is buried in Kansas City's Union Cemetery.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 38° 55.53′ N, 94° 34.401′ W. Marker is in Kansas City, Missouri, in Jackson County. It is in South Kansas City. It is on East Red Bridge Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1406

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E Red Bridge Rd, Kansas City MO 64131, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jim Bridger (a few steps from this marker); Kit Carson (within shouting distance of this marker); Hiram Young (within shouting distance of this marker); James Beckwourth (within shouting distance of this marker); Amache Prowers (within shouting distance of this marker); Trails Before Highways (within shouting distance of this marker); River Crossings and Red Bridges (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Trail Hazards (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kansas City.

Also see . . . Alexander Majors on Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 6, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022

2. Alexander Majors Marker

Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022

3. Alexander Majors Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 259 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 6, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.