East Independence, Missouri (St. Louis, Jackson, Buckner: houses, high school, stores)

[WCHS'59]

Anyone know about the town of East Independence, Missouri?


I say town because it has a two-block north-south street named “Main Road.” Main intersects to the south with Truman Road at about two miles west of the Mo 78 and Truman Road intersection.


In the fifties, when this area was really in the country and outside the Independence city limits, I was driving around and “discovered” this really small place. There were two or three stores on Main and a number of old residences on each street. At the time, there was nothing around for several miles. A map designated this small area as East Independence.


On a recent visit, I drove through the area again and the stores are gone but there are still many of the old residences remain.


This area has been in the city limits of Independence for many years now. Delorme Maps still labels this small area in small letters as East Independence.



The street segments in that small area are labeled Main, Elizabeth, Ann, Turner, 8th, 9th, and Independence.


Anyone have a history or background on this place?

[fredjmoore]

When I was a kid in the early 60's East Independence was from approx 291 (old Ott Highway)and 24 Hyway East to around Farview......(@ 1 mile further east) further east was rural and fell under Fort Osage High School or Blue Hills School area. Seem to think everything between Farview and Buckner was unencorperated

[WCHS'59]

Thanks, I really think there was an actual town named East Independence limited to the small block area I mentioned. I have never seen it listed as a town in Jackson County, though. It may have been just an unincorporated area like Fairmount, Maywood, or Englewood previously were.

[MOKAN]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Anyone know about the town of East Independence, Missouri?....

I did what little sniffing around I could and found nothing. I think you've come to the right conclusion though. East Independence does appear to have once been a tiny 'town' - meaning a cluster of historic houses with commercial buildings that was once an island to itself - even if never incorporated. You're not the only one who is interest in little things like this. A while ago I created a thread on here to figure out a town I discovered northeast of East Independence, called Atherton. Usually these places are along railroads.

[Versatile]

Originally Posted by MOKAN

I did what little sniffing around I could and found nothing. I think you've come to the right conclusion though. East Independence does appear to have once been a tiny 'town' - meaning a cluster of historic houses with commercial buildings that was once an island to itself - even if never incorporated. You're not the only one who is interest in little things like this. A while ago I created a thread on here to figure out a town I discovered northeast of East Independence, called Atherton. Usually these places are along railroads.

Makes a guy wonder how they survived in Atherton before being discovered?

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by MOKAN

I did what little sniffing around I could and found nothing. I think you've come to the right conclusion though. East Independence does appear to have once been a tiny 'town' - meaning a cluster of historic houses with commercial buildings that was once an island to itself - even if never incorporated. You're not the only one who is interest in little things like this. A while ago I created a thread on here to figure out a town I discovered northeast of East Independence, called Atherton. Usually these places are along railroads.

Walker Cooper was from Atherton. He was a rather well known catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals during his time and he subsequently built the large skating rink in Buckner as an investment. That skating rink has since disappeared.

In Independence Junior High School days our skating parties were always bused from the school to the Walker Cooper rink.

When in high school, I always liked to drive to Fort Osage by going through Atherton. After leaving Atherton, one crossed an old rickety wooden bridge over the railroad to get to the fort. That bridge has since been torn down and the road closed. I have driven out to Atherton as recently as two years ago.

[MRG Dallas]

My Mom used to mention Atherton and Sibley. There must have been some family connections out that way. And being the huge baseball fan she was, Walker Cooper was mentioned many times.

Google Maps shows that "Independence" is labeled as "E Independence Ave" I take it that the "East" is actually part of the official street name It only runs for 1 1/2 blocks.

[WCHS'59]

Walker had an older brother Mort who was also born in Atherton and was also a professional ball player, a pitcher.

He played for the Cardinals, Braves, Giants, and Cubs.

He died at a very early age in his late forties.

Sibley was named after the Army Major who was the first commander at Fort Osage.

When I was in high school Sibley still had a very small business area along one street. The last time I went through there, all the businesses were gone.

[MRG Dallas]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Walker had an older brother Mort who was also born in Atherton and was also a professional ball player, a pitcher.

He played for the Cardinals, Braves, Giants, and Cubs.

He died at a very early age in his late forties.

Yes, I remember that name also. That must be Baseball Country there with Albert Pujols being a Ft Osage HS grad. Totally amazed when I heard that

[WCHS'59]

Mort graduated from William Chrisman. I dont know about Walker.