Warrensburg...
Home of "Man's Best Friend",
the Tigers, & the Mules.

Warrensburg is a city that emerged from a frontier gathering place over 150 years ago. In 1833, a blacksmith from Kentucky named Martin Warren chose a well-traveled spot along an Osage Indian Trail to build a cabin and set up his blacksmith shop. His blacksmith shop served as an informal gathering place for the local farmers. Three years after moving to Missouri, Mr. Warren's shop was named the county seat of the newly created County of Johnson. The township was named Warren's Burg, in honor of the local blacksmith. In 1855, the township was incorporated and became the City of Warrensburg.

Work began in 1838 to build a courthouse for the newly formed County and was completed in 1842. The original courthouse was the site of Senator George Graham Vest's famous Tribute To A Dog, which he used as his closing argument in the Burden vs. Hornsby trial.

New additions to the southeast of the original township were platted in 1857 as the city shifted to meet the proposed railroad. The land was dedicated for the construction of a new courthouse at this time and in 1867, a frame structure was built to house the county government. The last court session in the original courthouse was held in 1875.

Many residents were not satisfied with the small frame structure of the new courthouse. In 1894, according to legend, a group of young men took the cannon from the courthouse lawn, filled it with gunpowder, pieces of iron and iron chains and fired it at the structure. After the blast, the building was almost completely destroyed. Three years later, in 1897, the current courthouse was completed.

Even though battles were not fought in Warrensburg during the Civil War, the City was not without its own militias. In 1861, both the Union and the Confederacy organized a company. One company drilled on the West Side of town, the other on the East. It is told that for convenience, the members of the two would sometimes drill together.

When the Civil War began, the railroad was still 30 miles from Warrensburg, but in spite of the war, construction continued. By July 4, 1864, the railroad had reached Warrensburg and would remain the western terminus for another year. The rail through Warrensburg continues to play a significant role in the life of the city today. Warrensburg is the third largest stop, in terms of volume, in Missouri for Amtrak. Only St. Louis and Kansas City have more passengers that embark and disembark the trains.

In 1871, State Normal School Number Two opened with an enrollment of 87 students. By 1881, enrollment had climbed to over 500 students. In 1919, the School became Central Missouri State Teachers College and continued to grow. As the college grew and offered more courses to its students, it became Central Missouri State College in 1946. In 1972, the school was granted university status and became Central Missouri State University. In 2006 Central changed its name to the University of Central Missouri.  Central is now the third largest State University in Missouri with an enrollment of over 12,000 students.

While the University played a major role in the growth of the community, the city that sprang up around a blacksmith's shop continues to thrive economically. During the 1870's, sandstone deposits were found to the north of Warrensburg and the quarries operated into the beginning of the 20^th century. Coal mining was also a part of the economy of Warrensburg in the late 1800's. Warrensburg was also known for its "healing waters" at Electric Springs that became something of a health resort. In 1942, Whiteman Air Force Base was activated in Knob Noster as the Sedalia Army Airfield. In 1952 the base was renamed in honor of Second Lieutenant George Whiteman, the first American to die in aerial combat during World War II. Today the base is the home of the B-2 Stealth Bomber.

Today, the University of Central Missouri,  Whiteman Air Force Base, and a mix of manufacturing, commercial and retail enterprises drive Warrensburg's economy. Warrensburg is the home of EnerSys, G.E. Transportation Systems Global Signaling, ThyssenKrupp Stahl Company, Swisher Mower, Gilcrest Equipment, the World Headquarters of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity, the World Headquarters of Carlyle Van Lines, and the Western Missouri Medical Center.

Just an hour's drive from Kansas City, Warrensburg residents and visitors are in the enviable position of being able to enjoy the attractions of a metropolitan area and the advantages of a small town life. Warrensburg prides itself as being a self-contained city with a vibrant employment base, an excellent educational system, an active cultural scene as well as many civic events and activities for residents to enjoy.

Come visit the home of "Man’s Best Friend" and see all we have to offer.