Independence MO Moving Companies

Independence, Missouri

Independence is the fourth largest city in the state of Missouri and encompasses over 78 square miles. Those moving to Independence will discover over 40 parks, excellent schools and outstanding shopping facilities that offer a wide-variety of choices ranging from the historic Independence Square to one of the finest malls in the surrounding area.

History:
Independence was founded on March 29, 1827 and quickly became an important frontier town. Independence was the farthest point westward on the Missouri River where steamboats or other cargo vessels could travel, due to the convergence of the Kansas River with the Missouri River approximately six miles west of town, near the current Kansas-Missouri border. Independence immediately became a jumping-off point for the emerging fur trade, accommodating merchants and adventurers beginning the long trek westward on the Santa Fe Trail. In 1831, members of the Latter Day Saint movement began moving to the Jackson County, Missouri area. Shortly thereafter, founder Joseph Smith, Jr. declared a spot west of the Courthouse Square to be the place for his prophesied temple of the New Jerusalem, in expectation of the Second Coming of Christ. Tension grew with local Missourians until the Latter Day Saints were driven from the area in 1833. Independence saw great prosperity from the late 1830s through the mid-1840s, while the business of outfitting pioneers boomed. Between 1848 and 1868, it was a hub of the California Trail. On March 8, 1849, the Missouri General Assembly granted a home-rule charter to the town and on July 18, 1849, William McCoy was elected as its first mayor. In the mid-19th century an Act of the United States Congress defined Independence as the start of the Oregon Trail. Independence continues to be of great importance to the Latter Day Saint movement and is the headquarters of the Community of Christ, the second-largest denomination in the Latter Day Saint movement. This church has built a temple in Independence, and also maintains a large auditorium and other buildings nearby.
 
Economy:
Independence is an exciting pro-business community. Located just east of Kansas City, Missouri and positioned strategically at the crossroads of I-70 and I-470, where approximately 150,000 cars pass each day the City has become the regional retail, office and medical power center of Eastern Jackson County. The development of the Little Blue Parkway, a new thoroughfare connecting the eastern portion of the City from I-70 to 24 Highway will open 38 miles of land for development.  It is estimated that by the year 2020, the Little Blue Valley will be home to an additional 20,000 people and 5,000 new office, industrial and retail jobs. In the heart of the city, Historic Independence Square is undergoing a renaissance with substantial increase in private investment and a planned restoration of the Historic Jackson County Courthouse. The traditional town square offers unique shops, restaurants, loft-style apartments and a newly renovated cinema and bowling alley.

Tourism:
Start by heading to the historic Harry S. Truman Library and Museum. Fun for the entire family, here you can spend a few hours exploring exhibits and archives relating to Truman's life and administration. Next, the Truman Home is the perfect place to experience the history of the city. Home of Harry S. Truman and his wife, which she bequeathed to the National Park Service in 1982, this historic residence offers daily guided tours and a souvenir shop. For a bit more history, the Leila's Hair Museum is a museum dedicated to items made of human hair and authentic antiques at least one hundred years old. Then, check out the National Frontier Trails Museum. This center, established in 1990, uses voice recordings of the early pioneers' diaries and letters to depict their lives and hardships as they traveled west. Finally, the new Independence Events Center is home to the Missouri Mavericks CHL team and Missouri Comets MISL indoor soccer team. The center will also host a variety of sports and entertainment events including concerts, trade shows, high school sporting events, festivals, community ceremonies and family shows throughout the year.

Colleges/Universities: 

• Graceland University – Independence
• University of Missouri – Kansas City
• Metropolitan Community Colleges
• Park University

Interesting Fact:

• The city gained its name from its original settlers' admiration of President Andrew Jackson, who grew up in the city.