Courthouse
“The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man has in this world is his dog…”
You’ll want to plan a bit of time to visit the 1838 Courthouse, located at 302 North Main. It was the scene of the world-famous Old Drum trial, Burden vs. Hornsby. The bottom floor of the courthouse is set up as it would have been in 1870 during the trial of Burden’s beloved hunting dog, Old Drum. During your visit, you’ll learn the story of the trial, the neighbors, and the famous eulogy, “A Tribute to the Dog” by Senator George Graham Vest. Now, you see why Warrensburg’s the home of Man’s Best Friend!
Warrensburg has always loved our Mules! In the 1800s and 1900s, Warrensburg was considered the Missouri Mule Capital because of the Jones Brothers Horse and Mule Barn. Mules from the area won prizes at the Missouri State Fair and even at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904. The barn is no longer operating, but you can visit it and take a selfie featuring the motto, “Through these portals pass the finest Mules on Earth.” The mule was later chosen as the mascot of Warrensburg Teachers College, which, after a hundred plus years, became known as the University of Central Missouri.
Blind Boone Park
Just down the road from the JCHS historical complex on West Pine is Blind Boone Park. The park, originally a segregated park for the Black community, was restored by hundreds of community members who volunteered several thousand hours to honor the memory of J.W “Blind” Boone. Boone was a beloved member of our community who, blind and of multi-ethnic heritage, succeeded in working past many physical, cultural and economic limitations to become a famous concert pianist. The park includes a gazebo for public musical events, picnic areas, and a statue of Blind Boone.
