Last updated: January 18, 2023
Place
Owens-McCoy House
Photo/NPS
Quick Facts
Location:
410 W. Farmer Avenue (at corner of N. Ridgway Street)
Significance:
Home to two important Santa Fe Trail businessmen
Designation:
National Register of Historic Places; Certified Site
OPEN TO PUBLIC:
No
MANAGED BY:
A map of Passport and Places to Go locations for National Historic Trails.
Once home to two Santa Fe Trail traders, the Owens-McCoy House remains a significant site on the trail. Samuel Owens operated large caravans on the Santa Fe trail, making him one of the significant players in the Mexican trade. His trade extended to Philadelphia, where he purchased wholesale goods which were transported on the Ohio, Mississippi, and Missouri Rivers. Owens was one of many traders who accompanied Colonel Doniphan’s command during the Mexican American War to ensure trade goods were not confiscated by the Mexican Army. His heroism during the Battle of Sacramento lead to his death, and subsequently, his home was sold to McCoy in 1851.
William McCoy was an early resident of Independence, MO where he was heavily involved in business and served as the town’s first mayor. He was also a Santa Fe trader and a backer of other Santa Fe traders. McCoy also served as a banker, a merchant, a contract freighter for the army, and a partner in early stagecoach operations of the Santa Fe Trail, receiving the first government contract to carry US mail on the trail.
Site Information
Location (410 W. Farmer Avenue (at corner of N. Ridgway Street))
Available Facilities
The home is a red brick two-story structure featuring limestone and wood trim. It is a three-bay vernacular Side Hall Plan. Originally rectangular in shape, the home received two later additions changing the look and feel of the structure. The house was built in a vernacular Greek Revival style and later Italianate styling was added as local tastes changed. The home’s front entrance features a Greek Revival portico supported by Ionic columns.