A Glance at Freeman

by Lucille Ullery

The Indians - Great and Little Osage- were first in the area. They were divided into tribes such as Poney, Delaware, Shawnee and others. The Poney Indian settled around the Freeman area on the stream south, which became known as Poney Creek. History tells of an Indian Burial ground southwest of Freeman, but the exact location is not known. Other Indian tribes were also occupants in the vicinity. The red man seemed to like the beauty around the Grand River area. In 1825, treaty was made between the Indian and the general government. Under the terms of this treaty the Indians gave up their rights to the remaining land in Missouri, which included Cass County and the present site of Freeman.

Morristown, located a mile north of the present site of Freeman, was founded by J.C. Morris in 1845. This was a town with many businesses, a school, hotel, doctor and several houses. The first business, built in 1853 was a general mercantile store. In 1861, the Civil War destroyed many buildings and houses and some were later rebuilt.

In 1871, the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, situated in the middle of Dolan Township. Freemen was supposedly named after the foreman of the railroad gang, whose last name was Freeman. Many businesses and homes were moved from Morristown and Freeman grew quickly. The MKT railroad served Freeman for many a years and made its last run in 1955. In 1962 the depot was torn down to make way for the rerouting of Hwy 2, which now runs through town where the tracks and depot once stood.

Many businesses sprung up over the years, including a hotel, millinery, furniture store, hardware, drug store, bank , car dealer, garage, livery stable, meat shop, movie, restauntants, pool hall, undertaker, doctors office, mill & feed store and a jail.

Electricity came to Freeman in 1916. Later Gas Service laid lines through Freeman which enabled many modern conveniences. A City Lake south of town supplied the water.

Entertainment for town and country people of Freeman was usually held on Saturdays. The bandstand was on the side of Main Street near the historical well and was used for band concerts by George Bennett's band as well as other entertainment. Movies were shown in the street and at a building on Main Street.

Freeman celebrated its 100th year with a homecoming and celebration in 1970. In 1971, a time capsule was buried in the circle near the flag pole at the cemetery, to be opened in the year 2000.

This is just a very small part of the history of Freeman. Some of the highlights are given in hopes that the information will be useful in preserving the memory of a town and its occupants, who have helped make Freeman what it is today.
 
 

FREEMAN, MO.

City Hall
PO Box 98
Freeman, Mo. 64746
(816) 250-2902

Hours 8-4:30    Tues, Wed
          8-1:00     Fri

           Population - 521

Area - 542 Acres

Incorporated in 1958

MAYOR   2 yr term                    Chris Hillman—2008

 
CLERK                                        Dee Bergstrand

 
CITY COUNCIL

 
      East 2 yr term                        Dan Higginbottom—2009

      East 2 yr term                        James Snider—2009

      West 2 yr term                       Thomas J. Giamalva—2009

      West 2 yr term                       Jim De Remer—2008

 

 

Council Meetings     6:30P.M.  the second Tuesday each month.
Planning & Zoning    6:30P.M. the Monday before Council Meetings.

Modified: 4/17/06