Grandview in Jackson County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Life on the Family Farm
Photographed By Duane Hall, October 5, 2010
1. Life on the Family Farm Marker
“I’ve settled all the ills of mankind one way and another while riding along seeing that each animal pulled his part of the load.”
Harry S Truman
In 1867, Solomon and Harriet Young, Harry S Truman’s maternal grandparents, purchased 398 acres of the 600 that they would eventually own in Grandview, Missouri. After a fire destroyed the original farm home a temporary structure was built. The home that you see today is the “temporary” structure that was built in 1894.
His mother said “It was on the farm that Harry got his common sense.” As a farmer, Truman cultivated qualities that shaped his character and prepared him for future challenges. Work hard, treat others fairly, always do your best, and persevere in tough times were his guiding principles, and he would take this with him to the White House.
Life here could be harsh, with days of backbreaking labor, disastrous weather, and unsure profits. At the age of 33, Harry left the farm to fight in World War I. Although he never returned to farming, he would never forget his rural heritage. A visit to the Truman Farm can provide one with a richer understanding of Harry S. Truman as President of the United States.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics and series.
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Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. 38° 54.093′ N, 94° 31.867′ W. Marker is in Grandview, Missouri, in Jackson County. Marker can be reached from Blue Ridge Boulevard, 0.2 miles north of Harry Truman Drive (125th St). Marker was located at the Truman Farm Home unit of the Harry S Truman National Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12301 Blue Ridge Blvd, Grandview MO 64030, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. John Calvin McCoy (approx. 2.7 miles away); Susan Magoffin (approx. 2.7 miles away); Don Felipe Chavez (approx. 2.7 miles away); Alexander Doniphan (approx. 2.7 miles away); People and the Trails (approx. 2.7 miles away); River Crossings and Red Bridges (approx. 2.8 miles away); Trails Before Highways (approx. 2.8 miles away); Hiram Young (approx. 2.8 miles away).
Also see . . .
Photographed By Duane Hall, October 5, 2010
2. Harry Truman with his Mother and Grandmother
Additional commentary.
1. Replacement Marker
The marker was replaced with a new interpretive sign in 2011 at the same location. The new sign has the same title but includes new and modified text. It also includes a sidebar timeline on those members of the Young and Truman families who lived on the farm.
— Submitted January 21, 2015.
Photographed By Duane Hall, October 5, 2010
3. Harry Truman Cultivating Crops
Photographed By Duane Hall, October 5, 2010
4. Truman Farm Home ca. 1945
Photographed By Frankie, April 21, 2013
5. Life on the Family Farm Marker
"I thought maybe by cussing
mules and plowing corn I could
perhaps overcome my shyness
and amount to something." Harry S. Truman
Harry Truman gave up a comfortable banks job in Kansas City to help out on the family farm in 1906. The farmhouse, with no plumbing or electricity, stood in stark contrast to the bright lights of the big city. On the farm, Harry had little privacy, sharing the seven-room house with his grandmother, parents, sister and brother.
Harry slept in a room above the dining room with Vivian and the hired hands. The bedroom was like an oven in the summer and an icebox in the winter. "It was an awful task to arise this morning in that ten-degree room", he once wrote.
On the farm, Harry put in long days of physically demanding work. In the evenings, the family gathered in the sitting room to read and talk. In the parlor, Harry, Mary Jane, or Mamma played the piano.
During Harry's eleven years on the farm, he worked hard, planned for his future, face frustration and difficulties with optimism and courage, yet exercised common sense and calm determination. These were characteristics he would take with him to the White House.
Photographed By Duane Hall, October 5, 2010
6. Truman Family Farm
Photographed By Duane Hall, October 5, 2010
7. Entrance Sign to Truman Farm Home
Photographed By Duane Hall, October 5, 2010
8. Truman Farm Home
Photographed By Frankie, April 21, 2013
9. Truman Farm Home
Photographed By Frankie, April 21, 2013
10. Back of Truman Farm Home
Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 547 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 21, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 5. submitted on July 12, 2018. 6, 7, 8. submitted on January 21, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 9, 10. submitted on July 12, 2018.
