2 Jul 2022 - Carriage Tour, New Frontier Trail Museum, Visitor Center, Truman House

 2 Jul

Another busy day starting with a carriage tour around town in the rain.  There were plastic sides on the wagon so we stayed dry.  The wagon picked us up at our campsite which was really nice.  Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and was very animated as he took us around town and described the history of Independence MO. 

 Our wagon was led by a pair of Missouri mules names Ed and Harry. Mules played a huge role in the migration westward and it was only fitting they pulled us around town today!  Neither liked puddles, so they were a bit finnicky at times and Harry did not like umbrellas at all. 

Unfortunately we did not get many pictures as they would not come out well through the plastic with rain drops on it, but here are a few plus some we took after the fact.

Clinton's soda shop, where we had our ice cream a few days ago.  Harry Truman's first job in here

Osage Street is now paved, but originally was a dirt pathway cut by wagons

Lewis-Bingham-Waggoner Estate built in 1852 - a beautiful mansion

There were many other sites we passed but the pictures would not have come out.  The tour was 90 minutes and our tour guide explained the history the entire route.  We are both very glad we took this tour.  

After returning to the campground and having some lunch we headed out in the truck to revisit some of the areas we passed on the tour.  Our first stop was the New Frontier Trail Museum which is run by the National Park Service.  This museum described the various trails that led west such as the Sante Fe trail, the Mormon trail, the Lewis and Clark trail and the Oregon trail. 

A map of the various trails.  Many passing through this area

Recreation of one of the dozens of blacksmith shops here in Independence

Travel along the trails was harsh and many times cargo was dumped to lighten the load

 Outside the museum was a log cabin and a railroad station but both were closed.  When we inquired why, they said because it is a holiday weekend.  Huh?  That is about the dumbest thing I've heard in a while.

From there we drove a few blocks to the Visitor Center where you get tickets to tour the Truman House.  This is the old fire station #1 and it will eventually be turned back to the City of Independence so they can restore it.  Here we got tickets to tour the house which is located several blocks away, and we saw an informative movie about the Trumans and the house.

Next door to the right is the jail that the James Gang was held

After the movie we drove to the Truman house for our 1500 hrs tour,  No photography was allowed inside (?)  but we did take a few pictures outside.  This house was built in 1867 by George Porterfield Gate, a mill owner.  President Truman's wife was his granddaughter.  This was their home from 1919 when they were married and it was the "Summer White House" from 1945 to 1953.  After Truman's presidency they returned here and lived here until they passed away.

The front of the house

Our tour group walking along the side to the rear entrance

Our tour guide explaining various things about the house before we entered

Truman's last car, a light green 1972 Chrysler Newport, was purchased only six months before he passed. The car would be used by Bess until she passed in 1982.  Still sits in the garage.

Another view of the house.

That's all the touring for today.  We returned to the RV and watched the Chicago Cubs beat the Boston Red Sox.  Later there were fireworks in the park to the west of us and we really enjoyed that!

Tomorrow is our last day here and we will fuel the truck and make preparations to depart Monday morning when we will head northbound on I-35 towards Prairie Flower campground just 5 miles from our house!