“The Buck Stops Here”

Some of the sights along our trip...

The Mighty MO or Missouri River

Independence & President Truman Library

Still a quaint, small town that appears to depend on his library and home to bring in tourists. 

Seeing his library come together defined his later years

 Harry enlisted despite his bad eyesight and served as a Captain in an artillery unit. His men came to respect and love him; eventually helping him get elected. He remained close to his men for the rest of their lives.

The press even bought him a movie camera

                                                            The eternal flame of memory

He has his beloved Bess beside him and his daughter and her husband across from them

He called his plan the Fair Deal. Since he passed numerous presidents have quoted him

I was amazed to learn that so many of the social programs we are still trying to pass like universal healthcare, a decent minimum wage and equal pay were first proposed by President Truman during his second term. 

He is a prime example of someone who couldn’t afford to go to university, but that didn’t stop him from learning. President Truman like so many presidents was a voracious reader and book collector when he could afford them. Unlike most presidents he didn’t really want the job of President until he had it, then he wanted to complete what he started.

He road the train everywhere campaigning on his Whistle Stop Tour

Thomas Hart Benton created this mural for the library. "Independence and the Opening of the West" His mural depicts three decades of Independence’s history (1817-1847) and took approximately two and a half years to complete.He even encouraged President Truman to paint a bit of the blue sky.

Looking back towards the eternal flame and museum from the interior courtyard

His office here at the library, where he often gave the tours himself

His goal with his museum was to educate future generations about the office; not so much about him

What the oval office looked like during his terms

He was a very plain and sometimes colorful speaker, so this sign suited him

He was first elected to be the county judge here which was more of an administrative role. He was backed by the Democratic Kansas City boss, Tom Pendergast which initially made him a controversial figure. While in this office, he oversaw the building of new and better roads & bridges around the county along with completing a few new government buildings. Needless to say, since the Pendergast family had a concrete business, all the concrete came from them. It was a compromise that Truman wasn't happy with but he didn't want to forestall the progress that could happen.

 

                                           So of course we had to try some ice cream

This gentleman gives Pioneer Tours around Independence with his mule team.

                           There were some cute looking stores and restaurants around town

                                           Clinton's is still on Courthouse Square




       This was actual his in laws house that they lived in for the rest of their lives. His in laws had                        money but he and his wife never accumulated much in their lifetimes.




    We didn't take the time to go inside since it was getting to be late afternoon and we wanted to go to the Kansas City Royal vs Chicago White Sox.




Kauffman stadium for the Royals and it's sister stadium for the Chief's were originally built in the early 70's with 50,000 parking places in between them.

The "Royals" name originates from the American Royal, a livestock show, horse show, rodeo, and championship barbeque competition held annually in Kansas City since 1899. For the Chiefs came they start tailgating at 5 in the morning. There is so much smoke it appears the stadium is on fire.