WHY INDEPENDENCE’S HISTORIC HOMES SHOULD BE ON YOUR LIST TO VISIT

Bingham-Waggoner Estate

313 W. Pacific Ave.

Vaile Mansion

1500 N. Liberty St.

Chicago and Alton Railroad Depot

318 W. Pacific Ave.

History is breathtaking, and Independence is very fortunate to be home to several beautifully preserved turn-of-the-century homes and buildings. We invite you to step back in time as you tour the BinghamWaggoner Estate, Vaile Mansion, and Chicago and Alton Railroad Depot located in the heart of Independence. Join us as we explore the importance of the past as it guides our future.

QUEEN CITY OF THE TRAILS BEGINS AT BINGHAM-WAGGONER

Between 1827 and 1878, the Bingham-Waggoner Estate had several owners. The grounds were known as the shortcut for the Santa Fe Trail. In fact, wagon swales, or ruts, are still present on the grounds today. As westward migration grew, Independence would become the jumping-off point for the Oregon and California Trails. This would lead to our nickname of

Queen City of the Trails and solidify our place in the great story of our country.

Today you can walk through the grounds and see their journey. Perhaps one of your ancestors traveled the trails, passing through this same property!

From Wagons To War

George Caleb Bingham painted quite the picture of the Civil War - literally. As the new, prominent owner of the estate, Bingham would create one of his most well-known pieces, “General Order Number 11,” on the grounds of what would become the Bingham-Waggoner Estate. As he sat in the log-andclapboard building outside the main house, Bingham would paint an image of the infamous order by General Thomas Ewing for martial law displacing 200,000 rural families in Jackson, Cass, Bates, and northern Vernon counties in Missouri. The civil war profoundly affected 1860s America and we still feel echoes in our world today.

From Paintings To Queen Of The Pantry

The Waggoner family came to Independence from Pennsylvania. As the longest single owner of the Bingham-Waggoner Estate, the Waggoners would remodel the estate into what we see today. The operator of the Waggoner-Gates Flour Mill,

Midwest and was known as Queen of the Pantry. The Waggoner family continued to live in this home until 1976, when Harry Waggoner, the last Waggoner to own the estate, died.

In 1979, a group of private citizens, in partnership with the City of Independence, purchased the 19.5acre estate for a museum and public park. If you are a fan of historic architecture or retracing important moments in history, the Bingham-Waggoner Estate is a must-see while in Independence.

Iconic Vaile Mansion

Not to be outdone, the beautiful Victorian Vaile Mansion, shares a story mixed with tragedy and extravagance. It has become one of the most recognizable homes in Independence and a vision of the modern possibilities during the Victorian Era.

LAVISHNESS OF THE MOST “PRINCELY HOME”

Harvey and Sophia Vaile loved all things luxurious, as is apparent when you step into the Vaile Mansion where the couple spared no expense when it came to construction. The home features nine exquisite water tank for indoor hot and cold water. The cost to build the stunning home was between $100,000 and $150,000, equivalent to $3-4.3 million today. The Vaile Mansion was said to be “the most princely house and the most comfortable home in the entire west,” as reported by Kansas City Times in 1882.

Isolation And Accusations

Although the couple built a stunning residence, Mr. of Independence. Harvey endured lawsuit charges of mail fraud. He faced two trials, and though he was found not guilty, tragedy befell him. Sophia felt shunned by the women of society in Independence. Rumor has it Sophia became so distraught over the fraud accusations and bitter loneliness, it may have led to an overdose by the use of Laudanum, a type of opium. Harvey would never remarry and continued to live in his Mansion until he died in 1895.

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Continual Change

After Harvey died, the home transitioned into several different ventures, from a sanitarium to a nursing care facility and a spring water bottling company. Eventually, the Vaile Mansion, bought by Roger and Mary Mildred DeWitt, would be repaired. The

DeWitt family donated the Mansion to the City of Independence. An extensive renovation would restore the home to its former glory and transition it to the museum you see today.

Finding Your Trail To Independence

From Queen City of the Trails to the industrial age, the story of Independence is deeply rooted in the history of America and continues today. Let your trail lead you to explore the history of our nation with a trip to Independence.

All Aboard Chicago And Alton Railroad Depot

Just 20 minutes from downtown Kansas City, the expansion of the railroads led to the end of the trails and a new chapter for the City of Independence. The faint sound of train whistles let visitors to the beautifully restored Chicago and Alton Depot know the station master will be checking luggage, punching tickets, and notifying passengers when to board. This enjoyable museum is said to be one of the oldest restored train depots in Missouri, and it is the only two-story depot to be fully restored.

LAST STOP THE TIMELINE OF C&A

The Chicago and Alton Railroad Depot of Independence, constructed in 1879, is cherished by train enthusiasts and the public. One notable event occurred in 1919 when President Woodrow Wilson stopped at the depot while awaiting the proper time for his League of Nations Tour. The Chicago and Alton Independence Depot received its last passenger train in 1960. In 1996, the depot was moved to its new location and opened to the public in 2002. Come see what it was like to be a part of the railway system with a tour of the Station Master’s home and train depot.