Last updated: October 26, 2022
Place
Historic Truman Courthouse - Harry Truman's office
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.