Independence Day in Independence MO

  Hey, it’s the 4th of July, so most of you will read this July 5th or better. 

I always find myself selling a couple of stories about Independence Missouri around Independence Day, and the city always has some great fireworks, etc., to enjoy on this special day. Independece wasn’t named for the day on which the colonies declared their independence from England however. It had to do with a disagreement between white settlers and natives of the area, and when the white settlers got to a place they felt safe and comfortable, free from strife, they felt they had reached their independence from an otherwise unhealthy situation.

There’s a lot to see and do in Independence all year long, which is why Bruce and I included a half dozen sites from there in our new app, Kansas City Uncovered, now available on iTunes.  Clinton’s Soda Fountain is one of those wonderful old soda fountains on the town square, made more special by the fact that Harry Truman had his first job here sweeping floors each day.

Get out there this summer and enjoy Harry Truman’s favorite mix, chocolate ice cream with butterscotch topping.

  And here’s some new news from Independence….

The “Truman Trolley” is set to begin operation in Independence on Tuesday, July 6 and run through October 2.  

 The trolley will run continuously from 10:30 to 5:30, Monday through Saturday beginning at Clinton’s Soda Fountain, 100 W. Maple, (corner of Main and Maple) on the Square.  All day tickets cost $ 1 for ages 6 and up for a full circuit. Riders may get on and off at various stops without paying an additional fare. No reservations are necessary for people boarding the trolley at any stop in Independence.

            After leaving Clinton’s, the trolley will stop at the following attractions in this order:

·         National Frontier Trails Museum and Chicago and Alton 1879 Depot (both at 318 W. Pacific), as well as the Bingham-Waggoner Estate, (across the street at 313 W. Pacific).

·         Mormon heritage sites at River and Walnut (Community of Christ Temple and Auditorium, and Mormon Visitors Center, Church of Christ Temple Lot )

·         Truman sites (Truman Home at 219 N. Delaware and Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, 500 W. U. S. 24 Highway)

·         Vaile Victorian Mansion, 1500 N. Liberty.

·         Truman Home Ticket and Visitor Center, 223 N. Main (see an orientation film here and buy tickets for Truman Home Tour) and 1859 Jail and Marshal’s Home, 217 N. Main. This is also the pick-up point for narrated tours with Pioneer Trails Adventures, a covered wagon ride.

            Residents and tourists who ride the trolley will be able to listen to a narration by the driver about city highlights and watch tourism videos which feature a number of the sites and attractions along the route.

For more information, call the Truman Trolley information line at (816) 512-5555. For a complete list of all tourism attractions and summer events, go to www.visitindependence.com.

 

 

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