Independence in Jackson County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Railroad Comes to Town!

Santa Fe, Oregon, and California National Historic Trails

Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 23, 2022

1. The Railroad Comes to Town! Marker

Inscription. The entire country had railroad fever in the 1830s, with the dream that one day a railroad might span the continent! In Independence merchants needed to move goods between the town square and the Wayne City steamboat landing on the Missouri River - why not a railroad? Merchants and investors secured money, surveyed a right of way, and in 1849 the state legislature approved the Independence & Missouri River Railroad. Architect William Singleton designed a road with cut and crushed stone, wooden ties, and iron-capped rails. Mules or oxen pulled freight and passenger cars up to Independence Square, located 4½ miles from the river. There the train made a quarter turn in the middle of the street on a turntable before entering the elaborate station. On the steep trip back to the river, one mule led the loaded freight car while the other mule might be resting inside - a way to ballast the car from bounding off the tracks.

(photo caption:)

When the Independence & Missouri River Railroad went bankrupt, its station became a warehouse or livery stable, and the turntable was buried in the street. You are standing near the old railroad

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bed. The rail line swept in to your immediate right before turning left in front of you on the way to Independence Square.

Erected by McCoy Park, Oregon-California Trails Association, City of Independence and the National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the California Trail, the Oregon Trail, and the Santa Fe Trail series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 39° 5.896′ N, 94° 25.333′ W. Marker is in Independence, Missouri, in Jackson County. It is at the intersection of West College Street and North McCoy Street, on the left when traveling east on West College Street. Marker is located at McCoy Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 W College St, Independence MO 64050, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Kansas City.

It is also 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

Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 23, 2022

2. The Railroad Comes to Town! Marker

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: An Epicenter of International Commerce (here, next to this marker); Trails to the East & West (here, next to this marker); A Man of Means (here, next to this marker); Three Trails From Independence (here, next to this marker); Sawyer-Jennings House (approx. 0.2 miles away); McCoy House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Harry S. Truman Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Noel House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Independence.

Another marker is no longer nearby. "The Neck" (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 23, 2022

3. The Railroad Comes to Town! Marker

With four other markers under a shelter at McCoy Park

Credits. This page was last revised on October 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 698 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 17, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.