Walking Tour of Downtown
Liberty -- This Tour of our downtown is used by all 3rd graders in Liberty
Public Schools
Starting at the City Hall Parking Lot (Missouri and Kansas)
Welcome to downtown Liberty. Today we are going to explore a little bit of downtown Liberty. Feel free to ask questions at any point during the tour. Please remember to stay with the group, especially when we are crossing streets.
Does anyone know in what year Liberty was FOUNDED? [1822, incorporated 1829]
The Liberty Square has been the center of activity for the town since it's founding. Most of the trading and market activity took place here, the government was here and because of those activities much of the day-to-day business of people developed here. [Feel free to elaborate about the types of businesses, etc.]
Liberty grew up around the Square. The downtown evolved over time from the only place to find goods, to one of many shopping and business destinations. People built businesses around the Square and along Mill Street; people built homes, first leading from the Square east toward William Jewell and South to the Missouri River, and then North towards open fields and west towards the Liberty Ladies College (Junior High).
This corner, at Kansas and Missouri Streets was in fact, at one time one of the first gas stations in Liberty. Now as we begin our tour, think about what you are seeing and try to imagine what it would have been like many years ago.
**(Walk down Missouri to the spring.)
#1. Liberty Spring (South Water Street) The Liberty Spring was a major reason for the early success of Liberty. Early settlers found the spring to be a source of good health. People thought that by drinking from springs health could be restored. Many 'health resorts' were built near springs. Liberty had one near where the Odd Fellows Home is located (may have to reference Clay Woods or Lillian Schumacher.) In fact, Liberty sits on many springs, which is one of the reasons for its early prosperity.
Can anyone think of other reasons people came to Liberty? [Answers can range from frontier settlements, the river, and education.]
**(Walk over to Water Street and up to Kansas-may use alternative stops)
#2. Corbin Mill - Mill Street got its name, how? [Mills located there]
The Corbin Mill is the remaining building of a once thriving mill industry in Liberty. Products such as flour, grist, and cloth were produced and shipped from Liberty. This area was once an industrial center.
#3. Kansas Street -Does anyone know how Kansas Street got its name? [Road that led to Kansas/ west]
This portion of the Square [shops from Water to Main on Kansas] is listed on something called the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important historical places throughout the entire United States. Each of these buildings was built sometime between 1870 and 1880. Can anyone guess which part of the block was built first? [Built from the middle out because it was easier to add to the outside.]
**(Walk on Kansas over to Gallatin north to block between Franklin and Mississippi)
#4. Madison Miller House (124 Gallatin)
Madison Miller was the first Mayor of Liberty. His portrait hangs in City Hall. He was a local merchant [make sure they understand what a merchant is] who was elected mayor. This house was built in the 1840's. The large tree in the front yard was brought here from California after the Gold Rush [see if they know that was in 1849!]
**(Walk back towards Square. Take Mississippi if want alternative stop, Franklin if not.)
#5. Historic Liberty Jail Site -The Historic Liberty Jail sits near the site of the original Liberty Jailhouse from 1833 until 1853. The visitor's center was built in the 1960's by the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints to commemorate the site where the leader Joseph Smith and other Mormons where confined in 1837. The jail cell where he was held has been recreated within the museum.
**(Continue towards Square)
#6. Old County Courthouse (1 Courthouse Square)
Even though this is the 'old courthouse' it is not the first. The first Clay County Courthouse was actually a tavern or any other building that could be rented as necessary. That is until the first actual courthouse was built in the 1830's. This courthouse burned in 1857 and was replaced by a much larger courthouse that was used until almost 80 years until the present courthouse was constructed. This courthouse was built as a project for Public Works Administration during the Depression in 1934. On the top floor murals depicting the history of Clay County can be viewed any day the Courthouse is open.
**(Walk across to the Jesse James Bank if there is enough room)
#7. Jesse James Bank Museum (103 North Water)
This is the Clay County Savings Bank, the sight of the first daylight bank robbery, allegedly by the Jesse James Gang. This building is the oldest one on the Square and it was built in 1858. On February 13, 1866 the James-Younger Gang supposedly robbed it. It has been restored to look like it did in 1866 and is now a museum.
**(Walk down Franklin towards Lightburne.)
#8. Frank Hughes Library - The Frank Hughes Library is home to the Clay County Archives Museum and Library. Does anyone know what an archive does? [Stores historical information, etc.]
This used to be the Liberty branch of the Mid-continent Library. Now it houses an extensive archive of information on Liberty and Clay County. Does anyone know what this big stone wheel was used for? [For a while, even the people at the Archives were stumped on that one. We know believe it was used in a tannery to work leather.]
**(Walk down to the next block)
#9. Michael Arthur House (316 East Franklin)
Liberty sat in a precarious position during the Civil War, when like many communities; both supporters of the North and the South were living here. This house belonged to Michael Arthur, a southern supporter, during the Civil War. It is said to have been used as a hospital and officer quarters during the war. Soldiers also used other buildings in Liberty. In fact, Jewell Hall [point towards it] was used to stable horses as well as a hospital!
**(Walk back down Leonard Street)
#10. Clay Seminary (Leonard and Kansas)
Education has always been an important part of Liberty's history. William Jewell began as a school for young men. Because of this another school was started for young women. It was located where the Junior High School on Kansas is now located. Other specialized schools were also started, such as the Clay Seminary. This building was built in 1842 as a Methodist Church. By 1855, it was used as the Clay Seminary, a school for girls. Cary Nation attended this school (can ask if anyone knows who she was-temperance movement leader and early supporter of women's rights/ suffrage.)
Conclusion
Ask for one new thing they learned today. Talk about other events, as desire. Thank them for coming to the Square and invite them to bring their parents back to visit the museums (mention the Clay County Museum on Main Street, Jesse James Bank, Archives, and Liberty Jail.)
Historic Liberty
210 North Water Street . Liberty, Missouri 64068
info@HistoricLIberty.org