1859 Jail Museum, Independence Travel Guide

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Explore the past at the 1859 Jail Museum in Independence, MO: Discover stories of outlaws, jailers, and frontier justice.

Step back in time at the 1859 Jail Museum in Independence, Missouri, one of the oldest surviving structures in Jackson County. Explore the original limestone jail cells that once housed criminals and learn about the lives of the jailers and their families who resided there. See Frank James' cell, touch the imposing iron doors, and delve into the intriguing history of this unique landmark.

A brief summary to 1859 Jail Museum

217 N Main St, Independence, Missouri, 64050, US
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Tuesday 11 am-4 pm
Wednesday 11 am-4 pm
Thursday 11 am-4 pm
Friday 11 am-4 pm
Saturday 11 am-4 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring 1859 Jail Museum.

The museum is open April through October and weekends in December. Check the Jackson County Historical Society website for specific hours.
Parking is available across the street from the museum in a free parking lot and along the street.
Admission is purchased at the door. Groups larger than 10 should schedule their tour ahead of time.
Consider combining your visit with other historic sites in Independence, such as the Truman Home and the Vaile Mansion.

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Other nearby places you may find interesting

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Vaile Mansion

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Harry S Truman National Historic Site

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Explore 1859 Jail Museum on the Map

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Getting There

Walking

The 1859 Jail Museum is located in the heart of Independence Square, making it easily accessible on foot from many points in downtown Independence. From the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site, head west on Truman Road towards the Square. The Jail Museum will be on your right at 217 N Main St. The walk is approximately 0.3 miles and should take about 5-10 minutes. No costs are associated with this approach.
Public Transport

The RideKC bus system serves Independence, MO. Several routes connect to the Independence Transit Center at 401 N Noland Rd. From the transit center, you can take the 24-Independence bus to the intersection of Liberty and Lexington, which is one block away from the museum. A single ride fare is $1.50. From there, walk one block east to N Main St and you will find the museum.
Driving

If driving, navigate to 217 N Main St, Independence, MO 64050. Parking is available in a free public lot across the street from the museum, as well as street parking. Parking is free. From I-70, take the Noland Road exit and head north. Turn left onto Lexington Ave, then left again onto N Main St. The museum will be on your left.

Discover more about 1859 Jail Museum

The 1859 Jail Museum, located on Independence Square, offers a unique glimpse into the history of Jackson County, Missouri. Built in 1859, it served as the county's third jail and is one of the oldest surviving structures in the area. The building is divided into two distinct sections: the jail itself, with its formidable limestone cells, and the Marshal's home, where the jailers and their families lived.A visit to the museum allows you to explore the original jail cells, imagining the lives of those incarcerated within its walls. The jail consisted of six upstairs and six downstairs cells, with two-foot thick walls of limestone blocks. A single kerosene lamp in the hallway provided the only light at night. Each cell is six by nine feet. Notably, you can see the cell where Frank James, brother of the infamous Jesse James, was held for six months in the 1880s. His cell is preserved as it was during his stay.The museum also sheds light on the lives of the jailers and their families who lived in the attached residence. The jailer's office formed part of the residence, but has a separate entryway from the house. The jailer's wife cooked meals for her family and the prisoners, in a small kitchen at the back of the house.The 1859 Jail Museum stands as a testament to the efforts of concerned citizens and the Jackson County Historical Society who recognized the importance of preserving this unique piece of history.