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

A Man of Means

Santa Fe, Oregon and California National Historic Trails

Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 23, 2022

1. A Man of Means Marker

Inscription. Hiram Young came to Missouri as an enslaved African American. He earned his freedom step by step. First he purchased his wife Matilda's freedom in the early 1840s. For children to be free, they had to be born to a free mother. The Youngs welcomed Amanda Jane into the family in the late 1840s. Ever focused, Young earned his own freedom in 1846.

By 1850 Young and his family settled in Independence, a starting point of the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California trails. Hiram quickly established himself as a wagon manufacturer supplying vehicles for freighters, emigrants, farmers, and the US Army. Through skill and dedication, he built a reputation for high quality work.

By 1860 Young's factory employed 20 black and white men. Working side by side, they turned out as many as 900 wagons a year and thousands of ox yokes, saddle frames, and ax handles. Each wagon could haul nearly three tons of freight, pulled by 12 oxen. Young branded his work Hiram Young & Company - representing one man's freedom to prosper.

(inset:)

A Successful Daughter

The Youngs sent daughter Amanda to Oberlin College in Ohio. She taught in Independence and Kansas City schools.

(photo captions:)

·Young constructed farm, emigrant, and freight wagons to specifications.

·Walk

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forward about 900 feet to the tallest cell tower and you will be in the vicinity of Young's historic workshop.

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

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. 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 1846.

Location. 39° 5.899′ N, 94° 25.331′ W. Marker is in Independence, Missouri, in Jackson County. It is at the intersection of West College Street and North McCoy Street, on the right when traveling west 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 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: Three Trails From Independence (here, next to this marker); Trails to the East & West (here, next to this marker); The Railroad Comes to Town! (here, next to this marker); An Epicenter of International Commerce (here, next to this marker); Sawyer-Jennings House (approx. 0.2 miles

Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 23, 2022

2. A Man of Means Marker

The marker, along with five others, are located under a shelter at McCoy Park.

away); McCoy House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Harry S. Truman Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Noel House (approx. ¼ mile 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).

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 479 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 19, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.