The birthplace of Truman A

lthough most things celebrate former President Harry S. Truman are at Independence, Missouri, one tiny town in the Southeast part of the state is home to the birthplace of Truman. Located in Lamar, his former home is administrated by the Missouri State Parks system, an unusual place for such, in the middle of the busiest part of the town. The small white-frame house sits on a corner lot in a normal neighborhood. The only thing unusual is the surrounding parking area, and a park office across the street. The state purchased the home in 1957 and opened it as a dedicated historical site two years later. The house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.

Harry S. Truman was born in the house on May 8, 1884, in a downstairs bedroom. The Trumans bought the home as newlyweds for $685. It was without electricity or indoor plumbing. Also in the yard is a smokehouse, wellhouse, and outhouse.

On the day that the future and only president from Missouri was born, to celebrate the birth of his first child, Harry’s father made a couple of gestures that remain on the homesite. One was that he mounted a horseshoe to honor the birth of his first child above the front door outside, and the other was he planted an Australian pine tree at the southeast corner of the house.

Free tours take you through the house. Hours of operation are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and 12-4 p.m. Sundays March through October.

Harry S. Truman was the 33rd president of the United States. His parents, John and Martha Truman, were farmers and traders who had three children: Harry, John, and Mary. Harry’s middle name was not derived from any specific person, rather honored both of his grandfathers, who had the initials S. His mother’s brother, Harrison Young, was also a source of inspiration for his first name. Harry grew up in a rural environment, moving from Lamar to Harrisonville when he was less than a year old. He learned to work hard and value honesty from his family and his Southern heritage.

Truman learned to play the piano at age seven and took lessons from Mrs. E.C. White, a well-respected teacher in Kansas City.[18] He got up at five o’clock every morning to practice the piano, which he studied more than twice a week until he was 15, becoming quite a skilled player. The rest of his childhood was spent in the Independence area.

Truman is not the only famed resident of Lamar. Before Truman, Wyatt Earp lived there. In 1869, the famous lawman turned 21 years old. He and his family moved to Lamar at that time. He served as the town constable, taking his father’s place after he resigned.

There is a park in Lamar, Wyatt Earp Park, dedicated to his memory and located across the street where Wyatt and Urilla Earp were married in the former Exchange Hotel, now home to Lamar Bank & Trust.

Barton County, Missouri Chamber of Commerce is building a second phase onto the park, with more panel storyboards telling the young couples life experiences and history in Lamar. Judy Earp, one of Wyatt Earp’s descendants, attended the dedication of Phase I.

Works Cited:

Missouri State Parks

Missouri Department of Natural Resources www.trumanlibrary.org https://missourilife.com/untold-story-of-wyatt-earp-in-missouri/ www.fourstateshomepage.com