The 1827 Log Courthouse near Kansas City, Mo is nothing like what we see today when we go to court, but it definitely was what they needed and more than served its purpose. The 1827 Log Courthouse was called the Jackson County Log Courthouse because it was built in Jackson County in 1827. Built by slave labor, this was a novelty for Jackson County, as they hadn't had a courthouse prior to this. The talented and creative workmanship of the log courthouse belongs to Samuel Shepard, the black man who built this addition to the town.
Although this log courthouse was nothing like what we use today. This log building in Independence with only two rooms was the site for many controversial issues that arose in the area. Being a slave state, the subject of slavery was often a chose topic of dispute. Disputes over land and well as the expansion of the west were also tops that were handled in this log courthouse. In the 1930s, court was held in the two-room log home under the leadership of Harry Truman. What made this log courthouse even more important was the fact that it was the only courthouse between the Pacific and St. Louis when the trade from Santa Fe Trail started. In fact, Samuel C. Owens, a Santa Fe Trader, was the county clerk at this courthouse. It late was turned into a Mormon general store and saddle shop.
The Log Courthouse from 1927 today is a great tourist attraction. Many people love walking through the small area trying to picture what it must have been like years back. The Courthouse is open for viewing Monday through Friday.
