Jackson County Jail - Independence

The Jackson County Jail and Marshal's Home and Museum is located on North Main Street in Historic Independence square in Independence, Missouri.  The brick Federal Style structure was designed by noted Kansas City architect Asa Beebe Cross and constructed in 1859 with the intention of serving Jackson County, Missouri.  The front of the building, facing Main Street, housed the Marshal and his family, while the back contained 12 large limestone jail cells.  A new room was added on in 1907 to accomodate chain gang workers.  During the years the jail saw to famous prisoners cross its doors: William Clarke Quantrill and Frank James.  Quantrill was sent to the jail in December, 1860, after a botched raid on the farm of Morgan Walker.  Upon his release a day later he was threatened by an angry mob in the street but was left alone after his friend, Andrew Walker, pleaded for his life.  James enetered the jail in October, 1882, shortly after his brother, Jesse, was assassinated.  Fearing for his life after the death of his brother, Frank negotiated with the governor of Missouiri and surrendered.  He spent 112 days in the Jackson County Jail, in relative comfort, until his release on February 10, 1883.  Prosecuting attorney Willaim A. Walalce felt there was not enough evidence to hold him any longer and he was shipped off to Daviess County to stand trial for the Winston Train Robbery which occurred in 1881.  The jail continued to function until 1933, when it was decomissioned.  After that it served as office space.  By 1958 the building sat vacant and destined for demolition, but the Jackson County Historical Society jumped in and purchased the property, which help from former president, and Independence native, Harry Truman, who aided in the first fund raising campaign.  Today the jail is run as a museum.  The property was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

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