MAKING HISTORY
The original portion of the present McCoy House was constructed in 1840 on property owned by Samuel Combs Owens who was one of the first Jackson County Clerks in 1827 and a prominent Santa Fe Trail merchant. Samuel was also one of the original group of men who incorporated and founded the Town of Kansas in 1838 and would later be renamed Kansas City.
There is photographic and archaeological evidence of a two-story kitchen and servants wing construction that predated this construction to possibly around 1830 or even earlier. The earliest owners were made up of land speculators/fur traders and Leonard Dodge, Son of one of the founders of Harmony Mission. Samuel Owens had businesses in Independence, Lexington, and Liberty, Missouri.
The county of Jackson was only 13 years old when this portion of the home was constructed and the city of Independence had not yet been incorporated. The center of all activity in the county was here on the Square. The Santa Fe, California, and Oregon Trails had their starting points here. Learn more by reading about our History.
Learn more about Owens McCoy House History. The image is an 1868 Bird's Eye View of the Owens McCoy House in Independence, MO.
Download Historical Documents and learn more about the history of Independence. The image is the National Park Service Map of Santa Fe Trail from 1990 Comprehensive Management and Use Plan.
Read all about McCoy Park’s rich history and the fascinating history of Independence.
OWENS MCCOY HOUSE
Dedicated to Preserving History…
“Now if one loves one’s country, or one’s town, a desire to protect what is best about it or to save and perpetuate its character is an expression of that love. But in the case of Independence, Missouri, the responsibility is greater than that. What is done to save the distinguishing characteristics of Independence is really, in fact, and always at heart, should be for the national interest..……..… It isn’t just for you to decide willy-nilly that it just doesn’t matter anymore. Because you have national duty and a great opportunity, not just to serve your town but to serve your country.”
Pulitzer Prize winning author and historian, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, David McCullough