For $1, ride the Truman Trolley in Independence, Mo., this summer
to visit a host of presidential sites and other attractions.
By Dennis R. Heinze

Independence, known as the Queen City of the Trails because of its ties to the nation’s historic pioneer trails, has unveiled a nostalgic form of transit that is blazing a new trail in this western Missouri city that was once home to President Harry S. Truman.

The “Truman Trolley,” a partnership between the Independence Square, Harry S. Truman Library and Museum and Independence Tourism, is operating in Independence daily except Sunday through Oct. 2. The trolleys, which are buses painted to look like streetcars, began operating in early July and have been transporting visitors to many of the city’s most popular attractions, as well as to and from nearby downtown Kansas City.

Envisioned as a way to serve residents, tourists and those attending conventions in nearby Kansas City, two trolleys can be boarded Monday through Saturday at 10 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. at Union Station for a nonstop ride to Independence. Advance reservations must be made for the convenient service by calling (816) 512-5555.

The trolley makes it possible for visitors to enjoy a day-long or half-day trip from Kansas City to the one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants on the Independence Square, as well as to 12 of the city’s premiere attractions, without the need to rent a car, take a taxi or ride the Amtrak train. A nonstop return trip to Union Station leaves the Independence Square at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

In Independence, the trolleys run continuously from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, beginning at Clinton’s Soda Fountain, 100 W. Maple at the corner of Main and Maple on the Square. All-day tickets cost $ 1 for ages 6 and up for a full circuit.

Riders may get on and off at various stops without paying an additional fare, and wait times at the stops typically don’t exceed 15 minutes. No reservations are necessary for people boarding the trolley at any stop in Independence. After leaving Clinton’s, the trolley stops at the following attractions:

• National Frontier Trails Museum and Chicago and Alton 1879 Depot (both at 318 W. Pacific), as well as the Bingham-Waggoner Estate, (across the street at 313 W. Pacific);
• Mormon heritage sites at River and Walnut (Community of Christ Temple and Auditorium, and Mormon Visitors Center, Church of Christ Temple Lot);
• Truman sites (Truman Home at 219 N. Delaware and Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, 500 W. U. S. Highway 24);
• Vaile Victorian Mansion, 1500 N. Liberty;
• Truman Home Ticket and Visitor Center, 223 N. Main (see an orientation film here and buy tickets for Truman Home Tour) and the 1859 Jail and Marshal’s Home, 217 N. Main. This is also the pick-up point for narrated tours with Pioneer Trails Adventures, a covered wagon ride.

Residents and tourists who ride the trolley can listen to a narration by the driver about city highlights and watch tourism videos, which feature a number of the sites and attractions along the route.

For more information, call the Truman Trolley information line at (816) 512-5555. Note that there will be no trolley service during the Santa Cali Gon Days Festival (Sept. 3-6). For a complete list of all tourism attractions and summer events, click on www.visitindependence.com.

Dennis R. Heinze is regional editor for AAA Midwest Traveler