Warrensburg, a city that sprang from a frontier gathering place over 150 years ago, has a rich and storied history. In 1833, a blacksmith from Kentucky named Martin Warren chose a spot along a well-traveled Osage Indian trail to build a cabin and set up his blacksmith shop. His blacksmith’s 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 blacksmith. In 1855, the township was incorporated and became the City of Warrensburg.

Work on a courthouse for the newly formed County began in 1838 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 Burden vs. Hornsby. In 1857, new additions to the southeast of the original township were platted as the city shifted to meet the proposed railroad, and land was dedicated for the construction of a new courthouse. In 1867, a frame structure was built to house the county government. The last court session in the original courthouse was held in 1875.

The small frame structure did not meet the expectations of many residents that had hoped for a larger and grander structure. 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 chain and fired it at the structure. After the blast, the building was almost completely destroyed. 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, in spite of the war, construction continued sporadically and by July 4, 1864, the railroad had reached Warrensburg, which would remain the western terminus for another year. The rail through Warrensburg continues to play a significant role in the life of the city. 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.

In 1871, state Normal School Number two opened with an enrollment of 87 students. By 1881, enrollment had climbed to over 500. In 1919, the school became Central State Teachers College. 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. Central is now the third largest state university in Missouri with an enrollment of 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. In 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 2^nd Lt. George Whiteman, the first American to die in aerial combat during World War II. Today the air base is the home of the B-2 ("Stealth") bomber.

Today, the University, Whiteman Air Force Base, and a mix of manufacturing, commercial and retail enterprises drive Warrensburg’s economy. Warrensburg is home to EnerSys, G.E. Transportation Systems - Global Signaling Division, ThyssenKrupp - Stahl Company, Swisher Mower, BOMAG Paving Equipment, and Western Missouri Medical Center. Warrensburg’s location, just 50 miles east of Kansas City provides its residents and businesses with the best possible mix of small town living and big city conveniences.

Return to the top