Where the legend began
Clay County’s historic sites
Frank and Jesse James, an 1866 bank robbery, an 1870s one-room school, and a 1927 conservation farm, the frontier history of Clay County, preserved and open to visit.
Four places, four eras
The county’s historic sites
Jesse James Birthplace
The farm where the legend began, and the largest collection of James family artifacts.
Jesse James Bank Museum
The site of the nation's first successful daylight peacetime bank robbery, restored to 1866.
Mt. Gilead School & Church
An 1870s church and one-room school, a living history classroom and a rentable venue.
Pharis Farm
A 1927 conservation farm east of Liberty, open during special events.
Group programs & field trips
The Mt. Gilead one-room school runs a four-hour living-history program for up to thirty students, taught in 1880s style with McGuffey’s readers and slates.
Weddings & gatherings
The 1870s Mt. Gilead Church hosts weddings, family reunions, showers, picnics, and birthday parties. Ask about a date on the Reservations page.
Plan a heritage day
Pair the Jesse James Birthplace near Kearney with the Bank Museum on the Liberty square for a full day in James-gang history.
Ready when the County is