Independence

This was a great place to live in 1984/1985. As part of the metropolitan Kansas City area there was lots to do and see. Historic places, shopping places, touristy, yet it had great neighborhoods in close proximity.

Why else would you visit here? Oh yeah, it’s my hometown…

It’s a good little place to hit up on your tour through the Show-Me State. The Truman stuff is pretty cool, but the best part about the place is the Vaille Mansion. Spooky and wonderful.

My relatives live here.

isn’t independence the meth capital OF THE WORLD???

Was really worth a visit for me. My mother’s family lived here in the 1940s/50s. My grandfather was the vet for President Harry Truman family pets for many years. My mom told me stories of Mrs. Truman baking cookies for her.

In 1992, I won a Truman Fellowship and traveled to Independence, MO for the award ceremony. The presidential library was cool – the only presidential library I’ve visited but I should try and make it to some more. I can’t really say I saw that much of Independence, but it wasn’t hard to picture Harry the failed habberdasher walking those streets.