McCoy's Trading Post

Near this point John McCoy built a log trading post in 1833 that launched the settlement of Westport, which became the westernmost point of American civilization. From Westport, the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon Trails reached outward as avenues of the nation's growth, extending to the Pacific Coast and into Mexico. Westport's streets, shops, and hotels bustled with traders, trappers, missionaries, Indians, and gold prospectors moving west, and Kit Carson, Jim Bridger, and John Sutter were among those connected with Westport who earned a place in history. Across the street to the north stood Harris House, a hotel whose roof served as an observation post in 1864 for General Samuel Curtis during the Battle of Westport as his Union forces engaged Confederate troops commanded by General Sterling Price.

Kansas City, Missouri · United States