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 On December 15, 1826, Missouri State Legislature authorized the "County of Jackson," named after the 7th president of the United States of America, Andrew Jackson. Two years later, the first courthouse was built in Independence by Daniel P. Lewis for $150. Since then five other courthouses have been constructed and there have been five major remodels of the Independence Square Courthouse built in 1836.
In 1926, Harry S Truman was elected Presiding Judge of Jackson County and was instrumental in voting approval of a major bond issue that made possible the adoption of a county "Ten Year Plan." The plan called for a new courthouse in downtown Kansas City plus remodeling of the Independence Courthouse, a juvenile center, improvements at the Jackson County home, and modernization of roads and bridges. President Harry Truman left a decorating legacy behind that began in Kansas City. In fact, his design savvy helped make Kansas City known as the nation's top 10 for art deco buildings. Truman traveled the country at his own expense to locate a design for the courthouse, which he found in Louisiana. The Jackson County Courthouse still stands tall and remains a well-known landmark in Kansas City. Construction of this 300-ft. building began July 17, 1933. The courthouse was dedicated in 1934, the same year that Truman left county government to become a U. S. Senator. Harry S Truman went on to become the United States 33rd President.
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