Welcome To KEY TO THE CITY's Page For
Liberty
Clay County, Missouri
ZipCodes
64068
Page Contents for Liberty, Missouri
History & History-related items
Chamber of Commerce.
Statistics & Facts
The Missouri state capital is Jefferson City.
The population of Liberty is approximately 26,232 (2000), 29149 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 7,645 (1990), 10582 (2010).
The amount of land area in Liberty is 69.734 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0.148 sq kilometers.
The distance from Liberty to Washington DC is 987 miles.
The distance to the Missouri state capital is 134 miles. (as the crow flies)
Liberty is positioned 39.24 degrees north of the equator and 94.41 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Liberty per capita income is $ 15,873.
Liberty median income is $ 36,388.
Liberty average annual rainfall is 36.3 inches per year
The average winter temperature is 28 degrees F.
The average summer temperature is 80 degrees F.
Location
in Clay County. Clay County is one of 13 counties that comprise the Kansas City metropolitan area. It is the third most populated county in the metro.Return to Index
Climate
seasonal. All four season are represented with no severe weather overall.
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History & History Related Items
Liberty, Missouri's first settlers arrived in 1817. By 1822 the settlement had grown to become the county seat for Clay County. Incorporated in 1829, Liberty is the second oldest incorporated town west of the Mississippi River. Besides having one of the oldest private colleges in Missouri, Liberty has over thirty buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
On February 13, 1866, the Clay County Savings Bank was the sight of the first
successful daylight bank robbery allegedly committed by the James gang. Built in 1858
and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the bank is the oldest building
still remaining on the Liberty Square. The Jesse James Bank Museum is open to the
public. The James Family farm is located about ten miles north of Liberty. The Clay County Museum and Historical Society is located in a building built in
1877 as a drug store with a doctor's office on the second floor. It continues in its original
purpose into the 1960s. Three floors of exhibits are open to the public. The building is
listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Liberty Jail was built in 1833. Its most famous prisoner was Joseph Smith, first
president and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons).
Following an order from the governor of Missouri, Joseph Smith and six of his followers
were tried and convicted of false charges. They languished for months in the winter of
1839 in the Liberty Jail. The reconstructed jail is open to the public.
The Liberty Square offers a compact group of buildings, constructed during the 19th century for commercial use. Many retain their original elements and represent an unusual diversity of styles and visual qualities. It was "on the square" in 1846 when Colonel Alexander Doniphan began his march into history and the Mexican/American war. It was "on the square" in 1846 that the second oldest continually published newspaper west of the Mississippi River, now the Liberty Tribune, published its first issue. It was "on the square" in 1866 when the James Gang made their alleged first daylight bank robbery. It was "on the square" in 1908 that one of the first Ford Motors Dealerships opened at the S.P. Bogess Dealership.
The Lightburne Historic District contains a diverse collection of mostly late 19th and
early 20th century structures. These include Lighburne Hall, an elaborate 1852 mansion,
the former High Gothic Saint James Catholic Church, and the 1898 Simmons house.
A wide variety of architectural styles may be found in the Jewell Historic District that
borders the William Jewell College. Most were constructed near the turn-of-the-century.
Other buildings on the National Register of Historic Places include the Clay County
Savings Association Building, Clinton House, Frank Hughes Memorial Library, IOOF
Liberty Lodge No. 49, Jewell Hall, Major Hotel, Miller Building, Nebo Hill Archaeological Site, Odd Fellows Home District, South Liberty Courthouse Square Historic District, and the West Liberty Courthouse Square Historic District.
Information from the Retrosites Historic Services.
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Attractions
Historical Places to see in the Liberty Area.
Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary
a mile from downtown
This wildlife preserve has five nature trails and an interpretive center which teaches visitors an appreciation for nature
The Liberty Fall Festival
Held in September each year.
Smithville Lake
This lake has 7,200 acres with fishing, boating, sailing and water-skiing. It is located northwest of Liberty.
NOTED NOTABLES
Carrie Nation - leader of the Temperance Movement was a student at the Clay Seminary, an all-girls school in 1855.
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Liberty City Government
City of Liberty Website City of LibertyP.O. Box 159
Liberty, Missouri 64068
Phone: 816-781-7100
Fax: 816-792-6091
Liberty is governed by a Mayor, four City Council members and a City Administrator
Liberty Chamber
Chamber of Commerce
9 South Leonard
Liberty, Missouri 64068
Phone: (816) 781-5200
Fax: (816) 781-4901
Email: info@libertychamber.com
Liberty Organizations
Chamber of Commerce
9 South Leonard
Liberty, Missouri 64068
Phone: (816) 781-5200
Fax: (816) 781-4901
Email: info@libertychamber.com
Liberty Schools
Liberty Public School District #33
650 Conistor
Liberty, Missouri 64068
Phone: 816-415-5300
Fax: 816-415-5306
HIGHER EDUCATION
William Jewell College
500 College Hill
Liberty, Missouri 64068
Toll-free: 800-753-7009 (admission, Financial Aid only)
Phone: 816-781-7700 Liberty
Miscellany
The population of Liberty was:1990 - 20,459
1997 - 24,552
2000 - 26,232
2003 - 28,308 (projection)
2008 - 31,392 (projection)
The 1990 and 2000 figures are from the US Census data. All other figures are from other sources.
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