It is often said that the American Civil War began with the Border Wars between Missouri and Kansas. In fact, skirmishes between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions took place as early as the 1850s. These polarizing ideologies could not have been more scrutinized than in the Midwest where the entry of new states into the Union became a nationwide debate and drove tensions high. This national division led to battles between Union and Confederate troops that can still be seen throughout every corner of Missouri.

1859 Jail & Marshal's Home, 217 N. Main, 816-461-1897, www.jchs.org
The dungeon-like cells of the 1859 Jail housed thousands of prisoners during the bloodiest time in Jackson County’s history, including Frank James and William Clark Quantrill. Looking much like it did the morning of the Battle of Independence, for a time it served as headquarters for the Union Provost Guard under the command of Lt. Charles Meryhew.

Hours Open April - October 10 AM - 4 PM, Monday - Saturday 1 PM - 4 PM, Sunday

Price Adults: $5 Seniors: $4.50 Children/Students: $2

Bingham-Waggoner Estate, 313 W. Pacific, 816-461-3491, www.bwestate.org
Built in 1852 along the 1846 alignment of the Santa Fe Trail, this magnificent home was once owned by George C. Bingham, famed Civil War artist. Accounts have been given of observing Civil War battles from the upper porch.

Hours Open April - October 10 AM - 4 PM, Monday - Saturday 1 PM - 4 PM, Sunday

Price Adults: $5 Seniors: $4.50 Children/Students: $2

Two major battles took place within the City of Independence and Jackson County, Missouri, including the First Battle of Independence (August 11, 1862) one of the first urban battles of the Civil War; and the Second Battle of Independence/Battle of the Little Blue (October 21-22, 1864) when 15,000 forces of the Union and Confederate armies fought along the Little Blue River in Eastern Jackson County.

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Civil War Sites of Independence First Battle of Independence Sites Battle of the Little Blue Sites		Note: To view these documents, you may need to download Acrobat Reader.