Historic Sites Bond Measure on November 3rd Election Ballot
Logs for the 1827 courthouse were cut from local woods.
When completed, it was the last county courthouse between
Independence and the Pacific Ocean. Photo courtesy of
Jackson County Historical Society.
The rich heritage of Independence can be experienced today through a visit to one of its historic sites. Some are owned by the city itself, while others are owned by private groups.
City-owned sites include the Bingham-Waggoner Mansion and Estate constructed in 1852 and remodeled and expanded in the 1890s; the 1881 Vaile Mansion; the 1827 log courthouse; the Truman Memorial Building constructed in 1926; and the Old Fire Station No. 1 completed in 1928. These properties help distinguish and define the character of the city and are visited by thousands of people annually.
By Brad Pace
Logs for the 1827 courthouse were cut from local woods.
When completed, it was the last county courthouse between
Independence and the Pacific Ocean. Photo courtesy of
Jackson County Historical Society.
Ownership of historic sites comes with the responsibility to preserve and maintain them so they may be enjoyed by generations to come. However, the budget demands for the city of Independence are many and its historic properties have often been passed over. Many years of deferred maintenance have left the sites with a long list of needs. Repair and maintenance estimates for the city-owned historic sites range to over 19 million. While private non-profit groups strive diligently support these properties, the large capital investment required is beyond what they alone can realistically provide.
Voters to Decide Historic-Sites-Only Bond Offering
In recognition of the deferred needs of Independence’s historic sites, a bond proposal was put before the voters in April 2025, which would have provided $7 million for repair and rehabilitation of the properties, plus $5 million in funding for a new athletic complex. However, the measure fell short of what was required by law for passage.
This election result prompted the city to retain an architectural firm to study and evaluate the long-term operation of its historic sites. The firm concluded that current funding models for the properties are insufficient, and that one option would be to consider transferring ownership of the Vail Mansion and the Bingham-Waggoner Estate to private parties. In response to strong public opposition to this possibility, the Independence City Council on July 6, 2026, unanimously approved a resolution affirming its intent to retain ownership of the Bingham and Vaile. The resolution also directed the city manager to explore new funding alternatives for their repair and maintenance.
The Truman Memorial Building was constructed in 1926 as a
tribute to those who had lost their lives in World War I.
In 1945, Harry S. Truman held a press conference there as president.
On August 17, 2026, the Independence City Council voted 7-0 to place a 19.9 million-dollar historic sites General Obligation bond measure on the November 3 election ballot. For the average residential property in Independence the bonds would result in an assessment of approximately $30 per year. Funds raised would be dedicated to the renovation and repair of city-owned historic sites, with priority given to the Bingham-Waggoner Mansion and Estate, with a proposed investment of $7,500,000; Vaile Mansion, with a proposed investment of $4,500,000; 1827 log courthouse, with a proposed investment of $600,000; Truman Memorial Building, with a proposed investment of $1,500,000; and the Old Fire Station Number 1, with a proposed investment of $1,500,000. The ordinance also includes funding to develop a 20-year business plan for the properties.
The November 3rd bond measure differs from the vote which failed in April, in that it will be an historic-sites-only offering not bundled together with any other issues or proposals. In fact, the bond documents prevent the funds raised from being used for any purpose other than for the historic sites.
Deferred Maintenance at Historic Sites
Pam Fulmer, board member for the Vaile Victorian Society, explained that it has a contract with the city to preserve the interior of the Vaile Mansion, located at 1500 N. Liberty St. She said they do numerous things to fundraise, including Christmas tours and their annual Strawberry Festival, which features craft, food and antique booths. The group has also sought grants, donations and matching gifts.
Built by Colonel Harvey Vaile in 1881, this 31-room mansion was reported in the Kansas City Times to be “the most princely house and the most comfortable home in the entire west.” Photo courtesy of the Jackson County Historical Society.
Although the Vaile Victorian Society’s contract with the city covers only the interior of the mansion, the society has also worked to help preserve its exterior. Fulmer says the Vaile has many exterior issues to be addressed, including window restoration, replacement or repair of rotting wood, sealing up the attic to keep birds out, metal repair, and repointing and caulking of exterior masonry. She added that the Vaile Victorian Society alone would never be able to raise enough money for all the work needed. The group supports the November 3rd bond issue, believing it to be the best way to save and preserve the Vaile. “Independence has more historical sites than most towns in the region, it’s time to use this to the city’s advantage,” said Fulmer.
The Bingham-Waggoner Mansion and Estate located at 313 W. Pacific Ave., is owned by the city and operated by the Bingham-Waggoner Historical Society. Similar to the Vaile, the city is responsible for maintaining the buildings and the grounds, while the Bingham-Waggoner Historical Society owns and maintains the interior furnishings.
Mark Mangels, board vice-president, said that the Bingham-Waggoner Historical Society operates tours of the mansion and grounds, holds events, and keeps the house open to the public. The group fundraises to maintain the mansion’s furnishings, artifacts and artwork, including one original George Caleb Bingham painting. The historical society has also paid for some exterior maintenance, such as painting.
Mangels said that one important and expensive need is for air conditioning, which the mansion does not currently have. Hot and humid summer temperatures are tough on the contents of the home and uncomfortable for visitors. On very hot days when the temperature in the house is in the 90s, group tours sometimes must be cancelled. “We hang a sign on the door that says closed due to heat,” said Mangels.
Constructed in 1852, then remodeled and expanded in the 1890s, the Bingham-Waggoner Mansion and Estate was home to famed artist and politician George Caleb Bingham, and later the Waggoner family which operated the nearby Waggoner-Gates Milling Co., known nationally for its ‘Queen of the Pantry’ all-purpose flour. Photo courtesy of the Jackson County Historical Society.
Other needs on the estate include screen door repair, wood repair, glass replacement, interior damage repair from old water leaks, brick repair, electrical work, chimney inspection and repair, foundation repair, window frame repair, wood rot on the wrap-around porch, and parking lot repair and maintenance. In addition to the main house, the grounds include a carriage house, stables, smokehouse, doghouse, outhouse, hog farrow and chicken house.
“We were not here when the wagons were going west, and were not here to witness the civil war, but what we can do is to preserve as much of that history as possible,” Mangels said.
Richard Webb, president of the Independence 76 Fire Company says his group, which preserves Independence firefighting history including several vintage firetrucks, occupies space in the basement of the former public works building which is attached to the back of Old Fire Station No. 1. Both floors of the fire station, located at 223 N. Main St., are currently occupied by the National Parks Service Truman Visitors Center.
In 2024 an engineering study was done on the station because bricks were falling off the facade. Much repair work is needed on the building, including tuck pointing, window restoration, correcting bowed walls, etc.
Old Fire Station No. 1 was completed in 1928 and operated as a working fire station until 1972. Today it houses the National Parks Service Truman Visitors Center. Photo courtesy of the Jackson County Historical Society.
Webb explained that the National Parks Service has plans to relocate to a building which is to be constructed nearby, and that the goal of the 76 Fire Company is to one day occupy Old Fire Station No. 1 as a museum education center. He added that the building must first be stabilized and made safe for whoever occupies it. “To lose this iconic fire station on the Square would be an absolute tragedy,” said Webb.
Jackson County Historical Society Endorses November 3rd Bond Measure
On September 24, 2026, the Jackson County Historical Society board of directors voted unanimously to endorse the November 3rd historic-sites-only bond offering, as being the best near-term way to provide the capital needed to preserve and maintain the city’s historic sites.
The Vaile Mansion, Bingham-Waggoner Estate,1827 log courthouse, Truman Memorial Building, and Old Fire Station No. 1, each reflect our unique history and cultural identity, provide educational opportunities, and support the local economy through heritage tourism. Passage of the bond issue on November 3, will strengthen pride in Independence, and help save these properties for future generations to experience and enjoy.
“The city-owned historic sites are irreplaceable. We hope they will get the repair and maintenance they need,” said Gloria Smith, president of the Jackson County Historical Society.
Brad Pace is a current board member and past president of the JCHS. He is a frequent writer on historical subjects.