Last updated: October 12, 2022
Place
Pump
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Location:
12301 Blue Ridge Ext, Grandview, Missouri
Significance:
Farm home of the 33rd President of the United States
Designation:
National Historic Site
Amenities
3 listed
Cellular Signal, Parking - Auto, Toilet - Vault/Composting
The Truman home did not have indoor plumbing, water, or electricity when Harry Truman lived here. Before the pump was installed, there was a well. The water was drawn up by a windlass and bucket.
In 1912, the Trumans installed a pump, similar to the current pump. The original pump was painted white by Harry Truman. In a letter to Bess on May 21, 1912 he wrote “I gave the pump a good coat. I did that because it stands immediately in front of the back door, and in one of those horribly dark nights I was telling you of when the Nolands were here I was endeavoring to get out of Ethel's way in a hurry and collided with the pump. I dislocated my specs and gave myself a black eye. For this reason I decided to paint it white. Now it can be seen on the darkest nights.”
Harry Truman’s mother said "It was on the farm that Harry got his common sense. He didn't get it in town."
In 1912, the Trumans installed a pump, similar to the current pump. The original pump was painted white by Harry Truman. In a letter to Bess on May 21, 1912 he wrote “I gave the pump a good coat. I did that because it stands immediately in front of the back door, and in one of those horribly dark nights I was telling you of when the Nolands were here I was endeavoring to get out of Ethel's way in a hurry and collided with the pump. I dislocated my specs and gave myself a black eye. For this reason I decided to paint it white. Now it can be seen on the darkest nights.”
Harry Truman’s mother said "It was on the farm that Harry got his common sense. He didn't get it in town."