Walking Trail Kiosk
Tour Beginning and End
13 1820s Jail, Lot 2
The 1827 county jail, located at the back of this lot, was 16 X 16 feet square and built of hewn logs. Prominent Mormons, Algernon S. Gilbert, William McLellin, John Corrill, and Issac Morley, were jailed in the lower level in November 1833. A decade later, Orrin Porter Rockwell was held in the second jail built on this site. Rockwell was later acquitted for the alleged assassination attempt on Governor Lilburn W. Boggs.
12 Noland House
A popular inn, the Noland House, was located here. Joseph Smith and Mormon leaders stayed in this hotel under house arrest while awaiting trial following their surrender at Far West, Missouri, November 1838. During this time, Smith and others were allowed to visit the Temple Lot and homes of leading citizens.
11 Boggs' Home, Maple Street, Lot 5
This was the site of the home of Lilburn W. Boggs, prominent merchant, Missouri state senator from 1826-1832, Lt. Governor of Missouri from 1832-1836, and Governor of Missouri from 1836-1840. Boggs invited Peter Whitmer Jr., a Mormon missionary, to open a tailoring shop in his home in 1831. 10 Log Courthouse, original location, Lot 59 The original 1827 structure built on this lot is now located on Kansas Avenue. Purchased for $371 in February 1832 by Algernon Sidney Gilbert, a Mormon merchant from Ohio, it served as a home for his extended family, and a church mercantile business. In November 1832, Gilbert relocated the church store to the Square on Lot 51.
9 Log Courthouse, Kansas Avenue
This building was constructed as the first county courthouse in 1827 by slave labor. It served as the home and store of Mormon merchant Algernon Sidney Gilbert in 1832. The building was moved to this location in 1918.
8 The Evening and the Morning Star Printing Office, Lot 75
The first paper published in Independence, The Evening and the Morning Star, appeared from the Mormon press at this location in June 1832. W.W. Phelps, the church printer, also resided here with his family. On 20 July 1833, locals demanded a halt to publication of the paper. Upon Phelps' refusal, the press was thrown into the street and the office demolished.
7 Gilbert Store, Lot 51
This is the site of the Gilbert and Whitney & Co. church store, purchased in 1832 by Algernon S. Gilbert. In 1833, Mormon leaders met here to reason with opponents who demanded the church's removal. On 20 July 1833, 500 men gathered to demolish the establishment. Gilbert agreed to close the store. In November 1833, the business was again the target of destruction, its doors battered open and its contents strewn into the street. Gilbert died of cholera in 1834 after the Mormons' exodus from Jackson to Clay County, Missouri.
6 Courthouse and Public Square
The Public Square was the scene of increasing tension among the Mormons and other Missouri settlers. Sidney Rigdon, an important church leader, preached from the courthouse steps in 1832. Edward Partridge and Charles Allen, were tarred and feathered on 20 July 1833.Mormon leaders appeared in the courtroom that year. Church members stacked their weapons around a twelve-foot stump in the courthouse yard while surrendering to the Missouri Militia in November 1833.
5 Rathbun, Lot 43
Robert and Hannah Rathbun, owned this lot. Among the earliest Mormons in Independence, their blacksmith shop was broken into 20 July1833. Along with other church members, Rathbuns were forced to leave the county.
4 Flournoy Home, original location, Lot, 92
Jones Hoy Flournoy constructed a four room south-facing brick home here for his family in 1826. Later, Flournoy sold 63 acres of land that came to be known as the Temple Lot to Bishop Edward Partridge for the Mormons. In 1838, Moses G. Wilson owned this building and invited Joseph Smith to dine with his family.
3 Partridge Home Site and School
An early schoolhouse and the homes of church leaders, Bishop Edward Partridge and Counselors John Corrill and Isaac Morley, were located along this trail. In 1833 Partridge was forced from his home and publicly tarred and feathered on the Public Square. Near this location, in November 1833, Mormons were forced to surrender their weapons to the Missouri Militia.
2 Flournoy Home
In December 1831 Jones Hoy Flournoy sold 63 acres of land, later known as the Temple Lot, to the Mormons. Rescued from demolition and relocated to this site, this building is one of the few remaining examples of pioneer home construction in Independence.
1 Temple Lot
Joseph Smith and Mormon leaders dedicated this area for construction of a temple, 3 August 1831. A temple complex was envisioned as the center of a city to be called Zion. 14 Boggs' Home, Spring Street, Lot 31
Lilburn W. Boggs lived here following his term as Governor of the State of Missouri. While Governor, Boggs issued the infamous Extermination Order of 27 October 1838 that led to the expulsion of over 5000 Mormons from Missouri. It is also the site of the alleged assassination attempt by Orrin Porter Rockwell on 6 May1842. Rockwell was tried and acquitted.
