1827 Log Courthouse

The 1827 Log Courthouse in Independence, Mo. played a critical role in the early years of Jackson County governance. This courthouse would have provided the earliest forms of government service and would be the last of civilization that many would see for years to come. It’s estimated that between 300,000 to 500,000 settlers over a period of six-decades began their overland route here in Independence and thereby populated (1846-1869) the western territories that would become eventually states that comprise the western United States. This log courthouse was used by President Harry S. Truman where he presided as a judge until 1932 and is one of few remaining structures dating from the earliest years of Jackson County’s founding.

Independence Missouri was established in 1827; and the historic 1827 Log Courthouse is structurally all that dates from the city’s founding. There are numerous other structures that are historically relevant to the early history of Independence, but none are as old as this structure. This log structure has an interesting history, that according to chroniclers of the Mormon Church is intertwined with church history in Jackson County.

This log building originally was constructed by Algernon Sidney(A.S.) Gilbert, (1789-1834) who was an early convert to Mormonism and was an instrumental figure in the early Mormon church in the Independence area. This Log-building was constructed in 1827 and served as both Gilbert’s home and store, which later provisioned freighters for their journey on the Santa Fe Trail. 

In 1833, the citizens of Jackson County decided to forcibly evict the Mormons and confiscate all their property. There are historical records of the formal declaration that banishes all Mormons from Jackson County in July of 1833. The Expulsion of Mormons resulted in the forced removal of members of the Mormon faith group. The order occurred among increasing violence between non-Mormon vigilantes and Mormon.

Many Mormons resisted this order and some were tarred-and-feathered when they protested their removal. A.S. Gilbert was not one of them, but he did try to receive compensation for his log-house and store, but in response, a mob destroyed a portion of the building and “threw(sic) his goods into the street”(History of the Church, 2:118n). Thus marked the end of A.S. Gilbert in Jackson County as he fled north to Clay County where he set up another store. It was here in 1834 that he denounced Joseph Smith and according to a Mormon church historian, A.S. Gilbert was killed, “struck down by the Lord as a consequence of Abrahamic sacrifice, as he was a dissenter”(History of the Church, 2:118n & Missouri Mormon Frontier Foundation). It’s difficult to ascertain the truth of why he decided to denounce Joseph Smith.  After leaving Jackson County, A.S. Gilberts Log-cabin became the first courthouse in Jackson County in 1832.

The 1827 Log Courthouse in Independence, Mo. played a critical role in the early years of Jackson County governance. This courthouse would have provided the earliest forms of government service and would be the last of civilization that many would see for years to come. It’s estimated that between 300,000 to 500,000 settlers over a period of six-decades began their overland route here in Independence and thereby populated (1846-1869) the western territories that would become eventually states that comprise the western United States. This log courthouse was used by President Harry S. Truman where he presided as a judge until 1932 and is one of few remaining structures dating from the earliest years of Jackson County’s founding.

"1827 Log Courthouse." The Historical Marker Database. Accessed May 6, 2019. https://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=117026.

"In the beginning: 1826-1850." Jackson County. Accessed December 11, 2014. https://www.jacksongov.org/588/In-The-Beginning-1826-1850.

Rosin Preservation & SWD Architects. "Conditions Assessment - 1827 Log Courthouse." 2018. https://www.ci.independence.mo.us/userdocs/comdev/historicpreservation/1827%20Log%20Courthouse%20Conditions%20Assessment.pdf.