The Original Trailblazers: A Pioneer Experience

Embark on a summer road trip journey, immersing yourself in the pioneer life of the 1840's in Independence, MO and meet the original trailblazers! This summer, time travel is possible! Take your family on a real-life pioneer adventure and experience Independence, the most popular "jumping off" point for pioneers to stock their wagons with supplies before heading out to Oregon or California. The struggles. The dangers. The rewards. This is entrainment only Independence, MO can deliver. 

10:00 AM: Wagon Train Departure from west side of Independence Courthouse

Visitors and People of the Past (Independence, 1849) gather on the west side of the Courthouse to say their goodbyes to a wagon train (two wagons) bound for the gold fields of California. Visitors will be encouraged to load a few items into the wagons and even join the wagon train if they wish.

10:20 AM: FREE Wagon transportation with narration begins on the hour and returns on the half hour

From the Square to National Frontier Trails Museum narration to the museum will focus on wagons, mechanics, and animals. The return trip narration will focus on Santa Fe Trail. Last return trip from museum is at 3:30 PM (forming part of the wagon train arrival from Santa Fe scheduled for 4:00 PM).

11 AM, 1PM and 3PM: People from the Past

Visitors have opportunities to encounter the past by interacting with first person interpreters in three locations. People from the Past will rotate between the three locations throughout the day:

1.  Courthouse Square (Around the Historic Jackson County Truman Courthouse) Informal encounters with people of the town

2.   1827 Log Courthouse (Located at 107 W. Kansas Ave.) Audiences with a person of the past discussing a special topic with interaction or visitors "eavesdropping" on two characters having a conversation relative to the time period.

3.       National Frontier Trails Museum: Visitors interact with a person of the past while strolling through the galleries or around the campus or hear stories of town and trail life in the theater.

Wagon Transportation Schedule:

10:00 AM Depart Square
10:30 AM Depart NFTM
11:00 AM Depart Square
11:30 AM Depart NFTM
12:00 PM Break
1:00 PM Depart Square
1:30 PM Depart NFTM
2:00 PM Depart Square
2:30 PM Depart NFTM
3:00 PM Depart Square
3:30 PM Depart NFTM 

4:00 PM: Wagon Train Arrival

Visitors and People of the Past gather on the east side of the Courthouse to welcome a returning wagon train from Santa Fe.