Summer Day Trip: Liberty, Missouri
Liberty Day Trip Diary:
For local history buffs, Liberty is well worth a visit. And, your trip will be peppered with fun pit stops with a day on the Square shopping and dining at unique locally owned businesses. Liberty hosts many fun events throughout the year... be sure to visit the Liberty Missouri Visitor's Calendar for upcoming events!
Jesse James Bank Museum:
Details: Jesse James Bank Museum: 103 N Water, Liberty, MO. 816.781.4458. Admission charged. www.claycountymo.gov/Historic_Sites/James_Bank
What You'll See: Located on the historic square in Liberty, Missouri, is the site of America's very first daylight bank robbery.... by none other than the James Gang. On February 13, 1866 a group of horsemen rode into town and robbed the local bank of $60,000 in cash (equivalent to $6 million today). They fled the scene of the crime after murdering a young college student who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The burglars were never caught and the bank owner (at that time banks were not insured as they are today) worked for two years to repay his customers just 60cents on the dollar for their losses. While Jesse James was not one of the burglars, his brother Frank was a participant and it is believed that Jesse was the mastermind behind the now infamous crime.
On a tour of the bank, built in 1858, you'll see the restored site as it was in 1866 with period furnishings and the original vault as a guide tells the tale of the robbery. The museum also offers a gift shop with books, toys, and souvenirs.
Historic Liberty Square: Shops & Restaurants
Details: The Historic Liberty Square is home to many unique boutiques, antique shops, restaurants, bakeries, and businesses. For current information and a complete list of businesses, visit Historic Liberty Square's website. You can also enjoy the Historic Downtown Liberty Farmers' Market, open Saturdays, May-October from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Top Picks for Shopping on the Square:
ACE's Cakes and Bakery Supply: The local bakery sells delicious desserts and baking supplies for your at-home baking projects. 113 W. Kansas St.
Anna Maries Teas: Anna Marie's hosts tea parties and sells premium loose leaf tea and tea essentials. They specialize in murder mystery teas, themed parties for little girls and special events. Call for a schedule of events or to book your party! 124 S. Terrace Avenue. 816.792.8777
Bead Browsery: If you love to make jewelry, the Bead Browsery is the shop for you. They specialize in beads and notions for jewelry designs. 131 S Water. 816.415.8750
James Country Mercantile, Inc.: This is the "must stop" shop for History Buffs. The James Country Mercantile specializes in supplies for historic re-enactors, but they sell many items of interest for history buffs. In particular, you'll find 19th century weapons, clothing, patterns, accessories, toys, paper dolls, books and much more! 111 N. Main St. 816.781.9473
Main Street Goods and Goodies: Unique collectibles, vintage candies and soda pop are available at this shop. 16 N. Main St. 816.781.6839
Old Mill Stitchery: The seamstress will love this shop where they specialize in unique sewing items and notions. 131 S Water. 816.792.3670
Top Picks for Dining on the Square:
Ginger Sue's: We enjoyed this bruncheonette on our recent visit to Liberty. They serve quiche, omelettes, pancakes, french toast, salads, soups, and sandwiches. 12 W. Kansas St. 816.407.7707
Sorella's: Authentic Italian sandwiches & pasta. 7 N. Missouri St.. 816.781.1200
MORE Historic Sites on the Square:
Clay County Museum & Historical Society: 14 N Main. 816.792.1849. This small museum is housed in one of the square's shop spaces. You'll see collections of 19th and 20th century Clay County Historical Artifacts & Stories. The best thing about this site is that you can enjoy an audio tour using your cell phone! For information on the audio tour click here.
Historic Liberty Jail Museum: 216 N Main. 816.781.3188. The LDS church built their current building around the jail where Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith was imprisoned. Visits to the site are free and tell the history of Mormonism and Smith's time in Liberty.
FREE Narrated Self-Guided Walking Tours of Historic Downtown Liberty: There are many stories to learn in downtown Liberty, and now you can learn the history first-hand at your own pace with a self-guided audio tour using your cell phone. Around town, you'll see symbols (blue signs with a cell phone and a # corresponding to the site's information on the tour). Simply dial 816.295.2110 and enter the number needed for each site as you see a sign to learn about the early history of the town, Jesse James, the Civil War, African-American history, early residents, and William Jewell College. There are 83 sites on the tour and maps are provided at the James Bank Museum and Clay County Museum.
Murals of Clay County Square: 1 Courthouse Square, Liberty, MO. A series of historic ceramic tile murals decorate the exterior of the public buildings on the square and depict the history of Liberty in full color. The artwork makes a great photo op and portrays a terrific history lesson.
Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary:
Details: 407 N. Lafrenz Rd., Liberty, MO. 816.781.8598.
What You'll See: Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary is home to a small nature center with live animal exhibits and hands-on activities for children, an extensive nature gift shop, and numerous trails on over 100 acres of land! The trails are our favorite aspect of the Sanctuary as you'll find wildflowers, butterflies, hummingbirds, creeks, native trees and prairie, all beautifully shaded and offering both paved and non-paved terrain options. TIP: Ask at the front desk for a FREE Scavenger Hunt and Coloring Book for young children. They'll find animals in the exhibits and learn many new facts.