Independence

Sister cities

• Higashimurayama

History

The area that is now Independence was originally inhabited by Missouri and Osage Native Americans. Later made part of the territory of Louisiana that was alternately part of New France and New Spain, it became part of the United States with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. The Lewis and Clark Expedition stopped in what would become Independence in 1804. Named after the Declaration of Independence, Independence was founded on March 29, 1827, and quickly became an important frontier town. Independence was the farthest point westward on the Missouri River where steamboats or other cargo vessels could travel, due to the convergence of the Kansas River with the Missouri River approximately six miles west of town. Independence immediately became a jumping-off point for the emerging fur trade, accommodating merchants and adventurers beginning the long trek westward on the Santa Fe Trail. In 1831, members of the Latter Day Saint movement began moving to the area. Shortly thereafter, founder Joseph Smith declared a spot west of the Courthouse Square to be the place for his prophesied temple of the New Jerusalem, in expectation of the Second Coming of Christ. Tension grew with local Missourians until the Latter Day Saints were driven from the area in 1833, the beginning of a conflict which culminated in the 1838 Mormon War. Several branches of this movement gradually returned to the city beginning in 1867, with many making their headquarters there. These include the Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), the Church of Christ (Temple Lot), the Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite), and the Restoration Branches. Independence saw great prosperity from the late 1830s through the mid-1840s, while the business of outfitting pioneers…

Geography

Independence is located on the south bank of the Missouri River, near the western edge of the state. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  11,791
• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  9,205
• Black-capped Chickadee

  Poecile atricapillus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  8,414
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  7,791
• Red-bellied Woodpecker

  Melanerpes carolinus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  7,160
• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  7,008
• Tufted Titmouse

  Baeolophus bicolor (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  6,666
• Downy Woodpecker

  Dryobates pubescens (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  6,507

Largest nearby schools

• BLUE SPRINGS HIGH
  High · BLUE SPRINGS · 2,383 students · 21.3:1 ratio
• BLUE SPRINGS SOUTH HIGH
  High · BLUE SPRINGS · 2,261 students · 18.5:1 ratio
• TRUMAN HIGH
  High · INDEPENDENCE · 1,662 students · 18.5:1 ratio
• FORT OSAGE HIGH
  High · INDEPENDENCE · 1,557 students · 18.5:1 ratio
• GRAIN VALLEY HIGH
  High · GRAIN VALLEY · 1,438 students · 17.3:1 ratio
• WILLIAM CHRISMAN HIGH
  High · INDEPENDENCE · 1,406 students · 16.9:1 ratio
• RAYTOWN SR. HIGH
  High · RAYTOWN · 1,365 students · 16.1:1 ratio
• RAYTOWN SOUTH SR. HIGH
  High · RAYTOWN · 1,185 students · 17.7:1 ratio