Last updated: October 26, 2022
Place
Historic Truman Courthouse - 1948 Victory Celebration
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Location:
112 W Lexington Ave, Independence, MO 64050
Significance:
Historic Truman Courthouse
Designation:
National Historic Landmark
MANAGED BY:
Jackson County
Inside this building was where Harry S Truman’s political career began. He would serve 10 years as a county judge in this courthouse. There were three elected county judges that served here: the western judge, eastern judge, and presiding judge.
First, he was elected as Eastern County Judge and served a two-year term from 1922-1924. In 1924, he lost his bid for re-election.
In 1926, he was elected as the Presiding Judge of Jackson County. He served two consecutive terms from Jan 1927- Jan 1035, for a total of eight years. He was essentially the county’s chief executive responsible for an annual budget of $7 million dollars, 700 employees, 2 courthouses (with jails), 1,000 mile of roads, and other county buildings.
First, he was elected as Eastern County Judge and served a two-year term from 1922-1924. In 1924, he lost his bid for re-election.
In 1926, he was elected as the Presiding Judge of Jackson County. He served two consecutive terms from Jan 1927- Jan 1035, for a total of eight years. He was essentially the county’s chief executive responsible for an annual budget of $7 million dollars, 700 employees, 2 courthouses (with jails), 1,000 mile of roads, and other county buildings.