The Spring 2004 JOURNAL of the Jackson County Historical
Society features Jackson County’s Jail and Its Jailers: Early Sheriffs
Enforced the Law to 1859
by Linda Ann Camp
This is the first of two installments outlining a history
of the Jackson County Jail in Independence. This study commemorating the 45th
year of the Jackson County Historical Society’s ownership of the 1859 Jail,
Marshals Home and Museum is part of a larger project to document the origin
and evolution of the structure and its inhabitants. The 100-year-old brick
and limestone edifice at 217 North Main Street was slated for demolition in
1959, and area residents rallied to save the building. After former United
States President Harry S Truman made the first capital campaign call to J.C. Hall
at Hallmark Cards, Inc., (who pledged $1,000), the Jail was renovated between
1958 and 1959 and opened that year to the public. Upkeep of an historic
structure requires ongoing dedication. Today, the Jail is in need of major
repairs and restoration. Call the Society today at 816.461.1897 to see how
you may help.
The
Autumn 2004 JOURNAL will conclude this interesting and insightful overview of
the people who have been associated with the 1859 Jackson County Jail.
Readers with family connections to the former occupants and workers at this
site are encouraged to donate related materials to the Historical Society for
proper preservation and future exhibition at the museum.]
Linda Ann Camp has lived in Jackson County all her life.
Her passion for history was sparked by stories relayed by members of the
Wallace family about Frank and Jesse James, Cole Younger and all the boys who
rode with Quantrill (The Wallaces held the Quantrill Reunions for many
years). Camp completed her undergraduate work at Central Missouri State
University and graduate programs at University of Missouri-Kansas City
(UMKC), with additional hours in history at UMKC. She continues to study
history when reading, traveling and working with other living historians at
re-enactment sites and the 1859 Jail, Marshal's Home and Museum.
Websites offering more information:
Jackson
County Jail and Marshal’s House
Jackson
County, Missouri, History in a Nutshell
A
River Runs By It: The Story of Independence and Jackson County, Missouri
Missouri
Preservation
Union
Provost Marshal Papers at Missouri State Archives
Ettractions
Publicity
Town Squares via. AAA
“Truman’s Town”
Blazing
Through Missouri With Jesse James
Fun Game?
Frontier 1859 Virtual World Project
Today’s Jackson County,
Missouri, Sheriff
To order this JOURNAL edition, subscribe or join JCHS click
here.
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