This courthouse predates Harry S Truman, but it still bears his name

Today we call it the Truman Courthouse, but there’s been a courthouse in the middle of the Independence Square since long before Harry hit the scene..

The first “permanent” Jackson County Courthouse, a 2-story brick building, replaced what’s known as the “log” courthouse in 1836.

As soon as 1848, it got the first of many makeovers, one every few decades. A large clock was always included, but its style and placement varied.

Until 1872, Jackson County had only one courthouse. That’s when Kansas City jumped into the game with a three-story structure at Second and Main Streets to serve the the fast-growing boom town.

But judicial business remained brisk in Independence, and the courthouse site continued to change with it. In 1906 the Brady Courtoom was added.

It’ wasn’t until the 1920s that Mr.Truman hit the scene, first as a county judge (basically a county commissioner) for eastern Jackson County. After losing the next election, he returned in 1926 as the presiding judge, and among other things, oversaw substantial renovations to the courthouse in 1933.

The next year he won a Senate seat, and the rest, as they say, is history.

In fact, the Jackson County Historical Society, which offers tours by appointment, is one of the building’s main tenants now. Most of the court and county offices that were once in it have moved into other facilities in downtown Independence.

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This story was originally published August 27, 2025 at 5:00 AM.