Historical Markers in
Cass County, Missouri

100 Veterans Parkway 105 First Street 110 South Lake Street 111 First Street 113 Wyoming Street 117 First Street 118 First Street 119 First Street 120 First Street 121 First Street 124 First Street 126 First Street 129 Wyoming Street 134 First Street 135 First Street 136 First Street 140 First Street 400 Cedar St. Burnt District Monument Cass County Civil War Dead Col. Hiram Bledsoe Defenders of Freedom Veterans Memorial General Order No. 11 Harrisonville WWI Memorial Historic 115 Wyoming Street Historic Building 1948 Jennison’s Jayhawks raid Harrisonville Square Lest We Forget Liberty Tree Missouri Pacific Railroad Depot Philip Short Baldwin Pleasant Hill, Missouri Smoot Peace Park and Veterans Memorial The Burnt District Monument The Civil War in Pleasant Hill United We Stand Divided We Fall War Memorial Wayside Rest William McKitterick
The famous Dred Scott case, which helped fuel the tensions that led to the Civil War, originated in Missouri. Dred Scott was a slave who sued for his freedom in the Missouri courts in 1857, but the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately ruled against him.
Missouri random facts
Cass County, Missouri, has a rich and diverse history that stretches back to the early 19th century. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Osage, before European settlers arrived in the early 1800s. In 1825, Cass County was officially established and named after Lewis Cass, a prominent politician of the time.

The county's early history was marked by the westward expansion and the trails that passed through the area, including the Santa Fe and Oregon trails. These trails brought a steady stream of settlers and pioneers to Cass County, contributing to its growth and development. In the mid-1800s, the county experienced significant economic and agricultural growth, with the cultivation of crops such as tobacco and hemp, as well as the establishment of many small towns and communities.

During the Civil War, Cass County became a contentious battleground due to its proximity to Kansas, a territory that was deeply divided over the issue of slavery. The county saw both Union and Confederate sympathizers, leading to armed conflicts and raids by guerrilla groups like Quantrill's Raiders. The war had significant impacts on the county, with destruction and loss of life, as well as long-lasting divisions among its residents.

In the years following the Civil War, Cass County focused on rebuilding and diversifying its economy. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century brought new opportunities for trade and transportation, stimulating the growth of towns like Harrisonville and Pleasant Hill. Today, Cass County continues to thrive as a suburban and rural community, with a strong agricultural heritage and a growing population.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Cass County, Missouri.

  • 1820 - Cass County established as a county in Missouri
  • 1827 - County seat established in Harrisonville
  • 1838 - Harrisonville named the permanent county seat
  • 1841 - Missouri Pacific Railroad completed through Cass County
  • 1855 - Belton formally incorporated as a city
  • 1861-1865 - Cass County heavily impacted by the American Civil War
  • 1871 - Kansas City and Southern Railroad began operating in Cass County
  • 1893 - Marty Brothers built the Harrison Mill, a grain mill in Harrisonville
  • 1926 - The original Belton High School building constructed
  • 1961 - Harry S. Truman Reservoir completed, offering recreational opportunities
  • 2010 - Cass County's population reaches over 99,000